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Original poster

Matched betting?! Tell me more...

999 replies

ExpatMrs · 08/04/2017 15:59

Just came across a good few MNers talking about it on another thread. I don't even know what it is but from the jist of the convo, there's good money to be made from having a couple of hours a day to do it... I have those hours!!
Can anyone enlighten me please?

OP posts:
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8
DangerousMouse · 12/04/2017 15:13

I've just placed those bets on Real for tonight, so depending on those outcomes I'll be able to do some more of the free £5 bets tomorrow - hopefully I don't have to pay out from the bet fair account! I think I'm getting it, its very exciting!!

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 15:15

hopefully I don't have to pay out from the bet fair account
If you pay out from Betfair, you've won in Coral, remember. That balance can be withdrawn and shifted to Betfair.

This is how people slowly build up.

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 15:16

My £30 free bet has just appeared form Betfred.

Am going to stick on the same match, I think!

CalmItKermitt · 12/04/2017 15:21

Although I'm desperate to get started I think it's been really helpful to take the time to watch and rewatch videos, read and reread tutorials and of course read all the great advice here! I think if I'd dived in I'd have made mistakes.

As it is, I'm pretty confident 😊

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 15:24

I think it's been really helpful to take the time to watch and rewatch videos, read and reread tutorials and of course read all the great advice here!
I agree. There's no need to rush it. Slowly, surely, get a few set sof bets under your belt to make sure it's completely sunk in.

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 15:26

Anyone used a Betfred free £30 yet?

How is it credited?

e.g. the Coral free £20 is credited as 4 x £5 vouchers, so you can split the free bet over different events.

DangerousMouse · 12/04/2017 15:29

Thanks Maid you've been so helpful!

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:03

Right, my Betfair balance wasn't sufficient to take the liability for the entire £30 Betfred stake so I'm splitting it.

I've got two free bets coming in tonight, on two CL matches. WIll catch up with you guys later.

When I will be £21 richer than I was on Monday Grin

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:05

Anyone used a Betfred free £30 yet? How is it credited?*
If anyone wants the answer to this, it's that the free bet is credited as a balance and you can use it freely in as many stakes/events as you want.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/04/2017 16:06

This thread has got be convinced. After the holidays when I can have some time to properly focus, I'm going to give it a go.

Planning on building up very slowly with a low intitial outlay (say £50 or £60) and then reinvesting as I go.

Would it be a really bad idea to focus on say two or three bookies and aim for repeat customer offers, rather than hitting every single bookie for opening offers? It just seems much easier to keep track of that way, at least initially.

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:15

Would it be a really bad idea to focus on say two or three bookies and aim for repeat customer offers, rather than hitting every single bookie for opening offers?
The general strategy is hit all bookies for opening offers before you go back for reloads.

I can see a few reasons for this:

  1. The opening offers seem to be pretty generous for low rollers (assuming most of us are using pin money).
  2. You don't have to worry about maintaining your reputation with a specific bookies, by making mug bets etc.
  3. If you really want to reduce the pot of bookies you work with, I'd hit each of them for the opening offer (and there are MANY), then withdraw any/all funds immediately. This may flag you as a chancer and they may block aspects of your account, but if you aren't going to use them again, who cares. Most serious matched betters wouldn't recommend this with any of the established bookies, but certainly, if you're taking advantage of a slightly dubious Internet bookie with no real reputation, hitting and running may be the best way to keep your money safe.
  4. I keep seeing that the bookie to keep on side is William Hill - don't hit and run from them.
MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:16

Oh also, some of the repeat offers I see look pretty complicated. The newbie offers are all straightforward.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/04/2017 16:23

some of the repeat offers I see look pretty complicated

Good point, I'd forgotten about that Blush

I've signed up for Oddsmonkey so hopefully that will help me through a bit.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/04/2017 16:26

As you said Maid it seems to be recommended that you aim for odd of 4-5 on offer bets - that seems quite high to a standard bet, or is it less noticeable because bookies expect punters to choose higher odds on a free bet?

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:27

Oddsmonkey Oddmatcher literally tells you what to do. The most complicated bit I've found is navigating the bookie/exchange websites to try and find the bet you want Smile

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:29

is it less noticeable because bookies expect punters to choose higher odds on a free bet
I suspect they think newbies do this - get all excited etc. The problems begin if you consistently do this over multiple free bets (another argument for ignoring reloads at first).

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:30

Oh, the horse.....let me check.

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:32

The horse lost, came in second!!!

A lucky escape for Verticalvenetianblinds

And well done on the win Wink I make you over £40 up.

Verticalvenetianblinds · 12/04/2017 16:34

Phew. Far too bloody close for my liking! But yes, first bet and up Grin

DangerousMouse · 12/04/2017 16:36

Thats a relief!

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:37

ItsAllGoingToBeFine
I've also made a rule for myself to only stick to one sport - football - and obvious bets (big teams/competitions, match win/lose/draw, first goalscorer etc). I suspect that randomly betting on a specific score in a football match in Colombia, then a total number of sets in a tennis match in South Korea, then a horse in Kentucky might raise a few eyebrows.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/04/2017 16:38

And can you do it as a long term thing, or does.it become worthless after a year or two as you are gubbed by more and more sites (or is gubbing not inevitable?)

And can the bookies tell you are match betting when you place mug bets (layed of course)

And final question (for now!) In the Oddsmonkey oddsmatcher should I avoid "red" matches as I think they are arbing which bookies really don't like?

MaidOfStars · 12/04/2017 16:39

Phew. Far too bloody close for my liking! But yes, first bet and up
Congrats again.

Now get rid of that victorious feeling - shake it off - because we don't want to get hooked in that feeling.

And regroup. Basically, you've won big on your qualifier (by chance), your Betfair account is healthier and the bookie has taken money from you (they will be pleased).

Follow the regular process with your free bet now, don't go crazy Smile

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/04/2017 16:40

I've also made a rule for myself to only stick to one sport - football - and obvious bets

I was going to do that with possibly the addition of high profile non football events eg Tour de France, Wimbledon etc as I guess the average punter might get sucked into these because they are so promoted in the media (and on betting sites)

Does that sound reasonable?

Babyiwantabump · 12/04/2017 16:47

£11 ish up so far today with two bets still to come in .

I'm starting to get how this works .

I'm following the bet £100 earn £1000 from the team profit guide .

So far so good!