Betting online is a fun pass time for many or perhaps even a more serious monetary activity for others. When getting involved in the community, much of the discourse is around betting strategies, tips, and markets. What often goes overlooked is how to browse through a list of online bookmakers and choose the right one. It’s important, but it’s not often talked about.
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Why is choosing the right bookmaker important?
If there was a single best bookmaker, everyone would agree on it because the facts would be there. But, the reality is that there is no single best one because we all have different needs. So whilst there’s a site out there that is best suited to us, it may not be suited to others.
An example of this is that one site may have objectively the best odds and a bunch of free bets. This sounds like objectively the best site, right? But what if they don’t offer bets for tennis, which is the only sport you know anything about? What if they don’t have live in-play betting, which is a key part of your betting strategy?
5 things to consider when choosing a UK bookmaker
Here are the top 5 things to consider when choosing a bookmaker.
Odds
First and foremost, odds are everything with betting. You’re looking for bets that have a good reward given a certain level of risk, and odds play the key role in that equation.
Finding a site with competitive odds is important, and relatively simple – just find a bet and search for that same bet between the shortlisted bookmakers you’re considering. Don’t write off seemingly small differences in odds, either, as they may seem small now but can drastically add up over time. Odds of 4/1 and 9/2 may sound very close, but that could be the difference between being up or breaking even in a year’s time. Betting is all about fine margins.
Promotions
As mentioned, the relationship between risk and reward is what it’s all about, and promotions totally throw a spanner in the works here in your favour. Free bets and cash bonuses are great ways to take on bets with less or no risk, giving you greater scope for reward.
Compare between sites to see which has the best promotions. Importantly, though, read the terms and conditions of each before committing, as some may have more generous requirements and criteria than others.
Markets
As mentioned earlier, it’s no good picking a great bookmaker that doesn’t have bets in the exact markets you want to bet in. Furthermore, consider what markets you may want to bet in that you have never tried before. So, quantity and choice are important here, as it will give you flexibility down the line.
Features and UI
It’s also important to enjoy using the site. So, give the UI and site a quick browse to see if it’s intuitive to you (i.e. you can find the different features and markets easily). Bet builders should be simple and easy.
Furthermore, consider if you want features like in-play betting, cashing out, live streaming, live statistics and commentary, and so on.
Payment methods
Finally, money is important when betting, so consider what the average withdrawal times are, as well as the different payment methods offered. If you rely on PayPal, you can find a company that fits your needs.
