No, I don't want to discuss about Betfair as a exchange company and its monopoly in the business. I've got couple of emails lately from people who actually do trading for a longer time (months) and still are unable to make a constantly profit from it.
Trading betfair horses is very tricky in meaning that you can be in 80% of predictions right, but you didn't get matched and you miss the opportunity to earn money. Although you were right you made no profit. On the other hand, in 20% when your predictions are wrong, you will get matched surely and you lost your money. Therefore, no surprise when you are at the end of the day in red numbers. How to prevent from this kind of situation?
Firstly; you cant be greedy. When you expect a big swing you should put your money at the best available odds ASAP to get matched immediately. Don't wait to be matched, you will miss the opportunity because most of traders jump in front of you as they are probably not so greedy as you.
Secondly; if you get matched and you are still in open position expecting long swing, try to exit from it laying/backing different odds during the swing. Don't put all backed or layed money on one odd when you think the price should go, the movement wont be probably as strong as you think and you don't exit right.
And the last one; when you are wrong, even only in 20% of your entry positions, your losses can be turn into a big ones very quickly and you will end with loss, bad feeling, less confidence and so on....in the end. So cut your losses quickly. I usually allow 2-4 ticks against me, depending on market.
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It seems I can't fulfil my target (profit 500€/day) at the end of this year, because of the lack of horses races. I extend the period till the 15th Feb.
Good luck
Mark