TOTAL BONUSES:

{{currentCountry.code}}

Change your location

{{ c.title }}

Top 5 Betfair Trading Strategies for Profitable Bets

Betfair trading strategies pave a predictable and potentially lucrative path for advanced punters. This betting guide explains how to use strategies to boost your bankroll and minimize the risk. Betting exchanges allow you to bet against your peers, so being well-informed is advantageous.

The underlying principle of buying and selling positions is applied to odds in the best Betfair trading strategies. Instead of working with indices and commodities, bettors do football trading and are paid based on their predictions. Unlike a traditional bookmaker, a betting exchange gives you more flexibility. At the same time, they enjoy the secure environment of safe betting sites.

In this article, we will cover the following strategies:

  • Scalping Trading Strategy
  • Swing Trading Strategy
  • Hedging Trading Strategy
  • Cross-Market Trading Strategy
  • Dutching Trading Strategy
The summary of the article

Top Betting Sites with the Best Welcome Bonuses in 16 May 2025 – Updated List

Rank
Bookmaker
Bonus
Safe & Trusted
Rating
Get Started
1

Stake Sports

Exclusive 10% Rakeback
Yes
Rating 9.99 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
2

N1Bet Sports

100% up to €500
Yes
Rating 9.98 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
3

BetLabel Sports

100% up to €100
Yes
Rating 9.97 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
4

Goldenbet Sports

100% up to 500 €/$/£
Yes
Rating 9.95 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
5

Megapari

100% up to €100
Yes
Rating 9.93 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
6

Betandyou

Exclusive: 130% up to €143
Use Promocode: GAMBLINGJUDGE
Yes
Rating 9.90 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
7

22Bet Sports

100% bonus up to €122
Yes
Rating 9.80 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
8

1XBet

100% up to €100
Yes
Rating 9.65 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
9

SpinBetter

Exclusive: 100% up to €130
Use Promocode: JUDGE
Yes
Rating 9.43 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
10

Betwinner

Exclusive: 100% up to €130
Use Promocode: GJBET
Yes
Rating 9.26 out of 10
See moreGet bonus

How Do Betfair Trading Strategies Work?

Betfair sports trading is similar to financial trading but uses the opening and closing odds. Participants cash in on fluctuating values and take positions on winning and losing teams. You can back a team to win if you trust it to prevail or lay the team if you expect a draw or defeat. It is even possible to take opposing positions simultaneously to secure profits with arbitrage.

The main difference between financial, football, or Betfair horse trading strategies is simplicity. When betting on sports at this betting exchange, you must be aware of the factors influencing the game. The fixed odds highlight the favorite and implied probability. Your task to achieve value in football betting is finding those odds where the rewards exceed the risks.

How to Start Trading on Betfair: Step-by-Step

Beginners can start with low-risk Betfair trading strategies until they master the art of lay betting. By focusing on negative odds and favorites, they can learn while they earn and boost their bankrolls. These are the five steps to take when creating your first trading plan and the betting exchange:

Step 1
Sign up for an account at Betfair and deposit in your favorite currency.
Step 2
Select a sport to bet on and choose a market to place the first bets.
Step 3
Analyze the odds and back the team if you expect the odds to drop and later bet against the team if you expect the odds to rise.
Step 4
Track the bet with trading software to anticipate market dynamics.
Step 5
Place the bet and then claim the profits by placing an opposing bet when the odds shift in your favor.

Betfair Trading Strategies

Football trading strategies on Betfair give you the flexibility and structure you won’t find at regular online bookies. If you have an account, there are opportunities to cash in on shortening or drifting betting odds. You can choose between several approaches, depending on your bankroll and expectations. Some strategies focus on short-term winnings, while others seek long-term value.

Scalping Strategy

Scalping is one of Betfair’s trading strategies that works for those who frequently want to make small profits. It is often used with spread betting, as the goal is to take advantage of tiny price movements. Traders “buy” low and “sell” high within seconds or minutes, which is an intensive and time-consuming activity. This works for sports where many points are scored in a match.

A good example is the horse racing market, with high betting odds:

  • You bet $10 on the horse LovLifenLaughter to win the race at odds of 6.20.
  • As soon the odds drop to 6.10, you later bet at $10.
  • You make a guaranteed profit of one dollar by scalping the market.

Swing Trading Strategy

Betfair swing trading strategies require more patience as they unfold over an extended period. If you can predict a significant change in the odds, you will profit the most at the best sports betting exchanges. Unlike scalping the market, you need to understand the public sentiment and how it can influence the odds. It works for straight bets and requires a slightly higher-than-average bankroll.

To highlight the benefits of this strategy, we should consider a popular tennis match:

  • Alex de Minaur plays against Alcaraz on hardcourt and gets odds of 3.00;
  • He is in great form, and you expect the public to bet massively on Alcaraz;
  • You place a $10 bet on the Australian player at odds of 3.00 and wait for the game to start;
  • In the live betting section, you lay de Minaur at 2.20 for $15 when he breaks serve;
  • If de Minaur wins, you make a $5 profit; if he loses, you win $8.

Hedging Strategy

One of Betfair’s most popular football trading strategies on Betfair is hedging against the risks. It lets you secure profits or reduce losses by betting on the opposite outcome. This works best for moneyline markets or sports, with just two possible outcomes. Under the right circumstances, you can bet on both teams and make certain profits regardless of who wins the match.

Let’s take an NHL match between Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks.

  • You bet $10 on the Chicago Blackhawks at odds of 2.60 to win, including overtime;
  • When they score the first goal, the odds on the Chicago Blackhawks drop to 1.80;
  • By placing a $15 lay bet on the Blackhawks, you win for sure, no matter the result;
  • If Chicago wins, you make $7 in profit, and if Detroit Red Wings prevails, you win $7.

Cross-Market Trading Strategy

Cross-market is a successful Betfair trading strategy that implies betting on two games in the same tournament. The goal is to place a bet on a game whose outcome influences the other match to make certain profits. It is a form of pre-match trading appealing to those who use system bets and know how to use the action reverse bet. It is a challenging strategy requiring plenty of research and thorough knowledge of the teams involved.

  • In the UEFA Nationals League, Portugal and Croatia compete for 1st place in Group A;
  • Portugal has 10 points and Croatia 7 after 4 games played;
  • Croatia can win the group if they defeat Scotland and Portugal loses to Poland;
  • You bet $40 on Croatia to win the Group at odds of 4.00;
  • Simultaneously, you lay Portugal to lose at odds of 16.00 and bet $10;
  • The reasoning is that a Portugal defeat affects Croatia’s chances to win the group.

Dutching Trading Strategy

Dutching is the best Betfair system for spreading the risk by betting on multiple selections. It is a profitable strategy when you choose sports and markets with equally matched teams or competitors. As one of the leading Betfair tennis trading strategies, it works best for major tournaments, such as Grand Slam events. The fixed odds are published well in advance, so you have time to act.

  • You identify Sinner, Fritz, and Alcaraz as three strong contenders for the ATP Finals;
  • Fritz gets odds of 12.00 to win the tournament, so you bet $15 on his victory;
  • Bookies price Alcaraz at 6.00, so you bet $25 on him to win;
  • Sinner is the favorite but still gets odds of 1.62, so you bet $100 on his triumph;
  • You have wagered a total of $140 and will win $162, $180 or $150;
  • The minimum profit is $10, and the maximum is $40, depending on who wins.

Top Tips for Successful Betfair Trading

Unlike classic bookmakers and crypto betting sites, the Betfair exchange allows you to lay teams. You can employ different trading strategies depending on your preferred sport and market. Consider these simple and effective tips to avoid the most common betting mistakes and make the most of the Betfair markets:

  • Bankroll management is essential to bet reasonable stakes and avoid the danger of chasing losses. You can make adjustments based on how risky the market is and the way your gambling budget grows or shrinks.
  • Research market trends and try to predict the direction of the odds. This can help you create a more profitable pleaser bet and then lay the team to maximize winnings.
  • Use trading software to automate the process and track the odds in real time. Such tools will be invaluable for highly volatile markets, such as alternative goal lines, and win both halves.
  • Maintain composure and stay disciplined regardless of how your matched betting strategies grow. Don’t bet larger amounts to offset losses, and don’t switch from conservative bets, such as BTTS, and draw no bet to high-risk parlay bets.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Betfair Trading

The success of Betfair trading strategies depends on one’s ability to avoid mistakes. Many of the common errors can be avoided if you are aware of the risks. Players who have shifted from classic bookmakers should be particularly careful at these traps:

  • Betting more than you can afford. Changing your betting patterns based on the availability of bonuses can also derail your strategy.
  • Trading without a strategy and improvising is dangerous because it leads to inconsistent results. Trust the process and don’t make unexpected changes based on sudden events.
  • Another big error is overlooking the news and market trends that influence the odds. This can have a major impact on correct score betting markets and other high-paying football bets.
  • Waiting too long to place the lay bet after backing the favorite or doing it too soon. Emotional trades threaten your profit margin and can even result in losses.
  • Betting in blind without specialized tools or software to trade the odds. You will miss out on lucrative opportunities and have inefficient trade management overall.

Pros and Cons of Betfair Trading Strategies

PROS

  • You can make a guaranteed profit no matter what the result of a match is.
  • You can make an income simply by buying and selling (no betting involved).
  • Trading offers a different kind of excitement.
  • Exploits correlations between markets and enhances diversification.
  • Make quick profits with low exposure with strategies such as scalping.

CONS

  • You need to manually decide when to buy/sell.
  • At some point, it is just trading, not betting.
  • You need a sizable bankroll to compensate for the potential losses of play bets.
  • Lay-the-draw   strategies can backfire if an early goal is scored.

Leverage the Power of Betfair Trading Strategies

Betfair is the leading betting exchange and the best place to incorporate back and lay bets into complex strategies. Whether you prefer football betting on Asian corners or inter-sport bet systems, Betfair strategies will be handy. They help you mitigate losses and maximize winnings by simply writing the trend and capitalizing on our fluctuations.

Low-risk Betfair trading strategies like scalping allow you to secure quick and predictable gains. You can swing for bigger profits or diversify your portfolio with cross-market strategies. Choose the system that meets your winning expectations while shooting your bankroll. Turn the betting exchange into your playground.

FAQs About Betfair Trading Strategies

Each system has advantages depending on your experience level, bankroll, and expectations. Scalping is popular among beginners due to its ability to secure small but frequent profits. Advanced punters will prefer swing trading. This rewards experienced punters who handle significant odds fluctuations.

Sports trading at this betting exchange has always been profitable for those who can manage the risks. It depends on your ability to react to changing circumstances and odds movements. The profit margin depends on your bankroll, experience, and appetite for risk.

This depends on your country and your local taxing laws. It is still considered an income whether it originates from trading or not, and you may have to pay a tax for it.

Pre-match trading means analyzing key stats before the game starts to calculate potential wins. This is opposed to the common idea that traders can only be done while the game is on.

Plenty of apps and software are available online, most of them for free. They can help you track trends and manage trades more efficiently while providing useful tips. Beginners and advanced punters can use them to maximize the returns of their Betfair trading strategies.

If you have the skill, experience, and discipline needed, you can make a significant income. However, you must treat it as a business or full-time job while having a strong market understanding. Proper bankroll management is essential to being successful in the long run, given the competition in this market.

Other articles you might enjoy: