BTL (Back To Lay) Traders

[Online Trader]

Just wondered if there are any BTL (Back to Lay) traders lurking on the boards

This is my main type of trading and would like to exchange ideas and info with others

[Mug]

Why would you only do one direction? Am I missing something?

[Online Trader]

No you are not missing anything it is simply a case of my preferred method of trading, it involves some degree of knowledge in terms of horse racing and I prefer to look for horses that are going to perform well rather than the other way round I also specialise in All Weather Racing as it involves less variables than other types of racing

[Mug]

OK, You are talking in-running?

[Online Trader]

Sort of, the back is made and the lay is set pre the off as I work on a set % of the back price for the lay, if I get it very right I can be matched before the race starts, if I get it very wrong I can cut my losses in running via Bet Angel

[Mug]

I've only ever laid before the off to back in-running as I assumed that most horse would drift as there is only one winner. Never really looked at back to lay.

[Online Trader]

It can be a profitable strategy, if you can find front runners who get away to a good start in sprints then the odds usually shorten considerably over the 1st 3 furlongs ensuring that your lay bet gets matched

[Human123]

Been toying with this myself...

what sort of % do you aim for?

i have been going for half the backed odds so 10 > 5, 9>4.5 etc which gives you 100% return on your stake.

Annoyingly, i can only seem to get it right 50% of the time which leaves me break even! lol

whats your usual strategy?

[Online Trader]

I aim for a lay at approx 65% of the back price

I always lay for level profit

No backs below 4 or above 9

Max 7 furlongs

Find horses that like to lead or be up with the pace

Understand the ins and outs of the course, some horses go very well at certain coarses but run like pigs at others

Results for March:

Trades: 25
Wipeouts : 4
PROFIT: 140.51 points (After 5% commission)
ROI = 28.1%

[Human123]

any chance of an odds example?

as im not sure what you mean by 65%... if you backed at 8 where would you lay?

[Online Trader]

if you backed at 8 where would you lay?

5.2 (you just take 65% of 8)

[Zenyatta]

So far, big swing trades based on knowledge of the horse are the only sorts of trades that are working for me. I've tried the cold trading and can do no better than random chance, just losing money so far.

I think trading based on a sound knowledge of horse racing is far more effective (and much more fun too). Trades that are based on a knowledge of horse racing can and should be left In-Play.

[Human123]

wheres a good place to get a good idea on which horses will at least "run well" ?

so far i have been doing it off tipsters who normally at least get a horse that can place and this works well but is of course limited to like one or two per day.

[Online Trader]

The Racing Post paper version or online members version is the place to be as you will see comments like made all, led, prominent etc etc so soon can spot a trend

[Hades]

I use this site as a starting point:

http://www.patternform.co.uk/
click through till you see the "pace" link [top right hand of page]

Regards