My Top Five Betting Systems
It’s a question I get asked a lot, especially by newcomers to my Geegeez blog:
“which is the best system to buy?”
And it’s a question that invariably produces an unsatisfatory response from me:
“it depends.”
But this of course is true. I’m different from you, and you’re different from most other bettors. Some of us agressive, some are cautious; some of us like to lay, some like to back; some bet big stakes, some play smaller units; and some want big ROI on a small number of bets, while others like lots of action and are happy to crank out a smaller percentage return in exchange for more fun/’action’.
Hopefully, reading the above paragraph, you will think to yourself, “yes, I’m like that”, and at some other point in the paragraph, “no, I’m not interested in that”. We all wager in differing ways.
So, in trying to pull together a Top 5 Betting Systems, I’ve decided to spread the five across the different approaches, in order to point most people in the direction of at least one suitable system. This does make it somewhat difficult for me to order them, so the final result is based on my own betting preferences, which – as we now know – may well be different from yours!
I have used all of the systems below, and personally vouch for each of them.
Disclosure: You will also note that I’ve added two links for each one. Both links point to the same page, but one contains my affiliate details. This means if you click that link and end up buying the system, I will get a commission. If you’re ok with that, great. If not, no problem: just click the other link, and you will get the same system for the same price, but I’ll not get a kickback.
OK, with that said, let’s assess my top five betting systems.
5. Laying (low liability, all experience levels) – Fancy Fillies
Fancy Fillies does pretty much what you might expect, in that it looks to oppose female horses near the top of the market.
The manual is comprehensive, and includes the usual ‘how to use a betting exchange’ preamble; the juice of the system (from page 21); and some staking plan suggestions.
There is also a subscription service, which runs separately but parallel, for those who’d rather pay than spend time each day looking for the runners.
I reviewed this back in October last year, and that full review – and the live blog trial results – can be seen here:
http://www.geegeez.co.uk/horse-racing-systems-2/horse-laying-systems/fancy-fillies-review/
Verdict: Consistent low liability laying system that will appeal to beginners and experienced layers alike.
Cost: $120 (around £73 as I write)
Affiliate link: http://cb9b5lpdzkrd1pebpjovkaod0c.hop.clickbank.net/
Normal link: http://www.fancyfillies.co.uk/
4. Backing (more ‘action’) – TrainerTrackStats
This is the betting system that started my online career, and it’s one that has been both hugely popular, and highly profitable. The latter point relates to points profit, which runs at roughly 50-60 points per season. As a percentage ROI, it’s not wildly impressive at around 5-6%.
The system is based on following those trainers that perform well at each jumps track, but only in the races or with the horse types that they excel.
As the title suggests, this system appeals to those who like a fair amount of action. Users can expect roughly four bets a day on average, though some days there will be none and others might see as many as ten (especially on busy Saturdays).
This season, for the first time, there is now a bot that will load and place the bets for you, and – again, for those who prefer someone else to do the work – there is a subscription service.
TTS does suffer its fair share of losing runs, but counteracts that with some nice priced winners (up to 14/1). I’d recommend a starting bank of at least 75 points.
Note that I am no longer involved with this system, which is now run by Gavin Priestley (who is a close friend – further disclosure).
Verdict: Excellent ‘betting action’ tool for the winter game.
Cost: £197 for the ‘Platinum’ package (full season access to bot, selections and manual); £67, then £27 monthly (cancel at any time) for the ‘Gold’ package (manual, plus first month’s selections; subscription thereafter)
Affiliate link: http://www.trainertrackstats.com/member/go.php?r=816&i=l0
Normal link: http://www.trainertrackstats.com/
3. Laying (Low liability, all levels) – Racing Secrets Exposed
For a long time, this was my favourite laying guide, and maybe still is. Certainly, it contains a huge amount of eminent common sense. And, at the price of the manual, it’s probably the best value betting system out there. But note that you will be signed up to received the daily RSE selections and, if you don’t cancel your subscription within the first month, you’ll incur further charges.
This is fine, of course, because you control the transaction. If you just want the manual, no problem: simply cancel your sub after you’ve signed up and downloaded it.
Like I say, the RSE manual is full of brilliant sense. It will take a bit of time to identify horses to lay using RSE – perhaps as much as half an hour. But here’s two things:
i) Half an hour to consistently beat the market is not a lot of time
ii) There’s that time-saving option, where the day’s best bet will be available to you, either online or via email.
Here’s the review of this one that I did way back in May 2007 (and yes, I still rate it!):
http://www.geegeez.co.uk/horse-racing-systems-2/horse-laying-systems/racing-secrets-exposed/
Verdict: Bargain manual – vendor makes his money from subs, so if you don’t need that service, make sure you download and cancel the automatic subscription.
Cost: £7 (!) for the manual; £37 per month thereafter
Affiliate link: http://bdcdfjlbtlwmxpboxd2kpqny3q.hop.clickbank.net/
Normal link: http://www.racingsecretsexposed.com/
2. Backing (Less Action, High Expected ROI) – Horse Profiles
A strange choice, this one. Why? Because it’s not even on the market yet!
But, as David Peat is a student of mine, I’ve seen his new manual, due out later this week. And, I have to say, it’s probably the best I’ve EVER seen, in terms of pure research. It’s outstanding.
Of course, outstanding research doesn’t always translate into cold cash, which is why this one didn’t quite make the numero uno position. However, Horse Profiles for the jumps season does follow in the hoofprints of David’s Flat Profiles manual, which was launched by me under the Flat Racing Profiles banner.
His optimum bets on for the season (now finished) ended up with twenty winners from 108 runners (18.52% strike rate), and a whacking great £468 profit to tenner stakes. That’s an ROI of 43.33%, which must surely rank as the best about.
If you like a bit more meat on your plate, albeit with less gravy, then the positive profiles and optimums collectively showed 34 wins from 217 bets (15.67% strike rate) and a profit of £196 to £10 stakes (ROI of 9%, still good).
Horse Profiles comes with a whole smorgasbord of extra punting goodies, and is totally tremendous value.
Verdict: The best piece of racing research out there. Its profitability remains to be tested but, if it’s half as good as the flat version, it’ll be a fine addition to the portfolio. Freebies available when you sign up to David’s list. Lots of bonus material if you decide to buy (when it becomes available, from 4th November).
Cost: £77 for the full season – includes manual, member site access with selections, all weather profiles, and lots of other bonus goodies.
Affiliate link: http://www.horseprofiles.co.uk/amember/go.php?r=1&i=l0
Normal link: http://www.horseprofiles.co.uk/
1. Backing (Steady, Higher Potential Liability) – Favourites Phenomenon
Hanging onto the Number One spot for longer than a Bryan Adams power ballad, Matt Watson’s Favourites Phenomenon still stands atop the pile.
It’s a stop at a winner system, which means you sometimes need the ‘brown trousers’, but the days when the requisite result is not comfortably met are mercifully few and far between.
Since I first reviewed this, back in 2007, it’s continued to perform with merit.
In fact, the profit figure stands thus:
2007 333 points
2008 170 points
2009 61 points (to end October)
That’s 564 points since start of 2007, which is ultra impressive.
2009 has been a ‘disappointing’ year, and yet has still seen seven winning months out of ten and £6,100 profit to £100 stakes.
I know Matt W personally, and he is a top man. As with all the other systems recommended here, this one comes with a money back guarantee. I doubt very much you’ll feel the need to use it.
My follow-up review can be seen here:
Verdict: Time tested top performer. Does require a reasonable starting bank, and discipline. But, if you can apply those two elements, you’re likely to find this one a mainstay of your portfolio.
Cost: £97 one time payment.
Affiliate link: http://www.fpsystem.co.uk/affiliates/jrox.php?id=101
Normal link: http://www.fpsystem.co.uk/
So there they are, pop pickers. My hit parade of the betting systems that I personally use and recommend. All of them are guaranteed, so you can try them without fear of losing your money if they’re not right. That said, by distinguishing them in the way I have above, there’s no excuse for picking the wrong one! 😉
A final reminder: if you do decide to buy any of them, the first link will pay me a commission, and the second will not.
ttfn!
Matt
Excellent. I plan to look at this in detail over the next few days.
Do you know why none of these systems appear on http://www.racing-index.com? I do not for one minute distrust what you have to say, but it is really nice to see these systems independently verified by a well known independent proofing service where the selections must be sent in advance to remove any doubt.
Hi Paddy
No idea. All I can say is that I used to proof TTS to Racing Index the first year, and it takes a lot of time, every day, to update that.
It’s healthy to retain a degree of scepticism when presented with betting products and services, and you’ll find that I only ever review / recommend those that either offer a free trial and/ or a money back guarantee. Either way, you have the chance to paper trade without risking any real money and, if it doesn’t work out for you, get a refund.
Best,
Matt
The Secret Betting Club has just withdrawn it’s support for the FP system.
Personally, I obtained a refund a week after buying it.
Hi Stuart,
can you tell your fellow members why you and the Secret Betting Club no longer support it? I was strongly thinking of trying it out.
What systems do you recommend?
Hi Paddy.
Have a look at this.. http://deanhunt.com/interview-with-a-blind-internet-entrepreneur/
There’s a direct quote from Matt Watson (the system creator) that’s of particular interest…
“In 2005 I was looking for ways to make additional income. I’ve never been a betting man to be honest. In fact, my only prior experience was at the dog track, where I’d occasionally put £2 on a dog…”
Mr Watson is an affiliate marketeer.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Funny you should mention Dean Hunt…. he’s one of my favourite, yet probably one of the strangest and at the same time, funniest bloggers ever. Well, if you’re into websites and affiliate stuff he’s damn funny, damn knowledgeable too, but very funny.
He actually offered me a job earlier this year, but I was involved in something else at the time and it would never have worked. Nice guy though…. he was prepared to climb Ben Nevis with me for my disabled daughter’s charity this year too and that speaks volumes.
As for the interview with Matt Watson, I actually thought it was brilliant. And it doesn’t take away from the system he sells at all…. good on the guy for coming up with an idea like that (which has worked as advertised all the way through), then managing to compile all of the numbers, getting a website online for it, a salesletter written, affiliates onboard, and all the rest of the carry-on that goes with it… when he’s blind.
Shit, there are plenty of people I could knock in this game, but I’ve got nothing for respect for Matt Watson. Seriously. Maybe my judgement is slightly skewed because of my daughter, but I honestly think that his story is inspirational.
~ Paul
Paddy, I forgot your other question.
The only system that I’m aware of that has produced profits over a year of proofed bets is Dodgy Favourites by Paul Fowlie. You won’t get rich quickly with it but you should make long term profits which is the goal in this game.
Stuart,
thanks for your replies. Irrespective of Matt Watson’s lack of industry experience when he started out in 2005, surely the most important and overriding factor is that he has achieved consistent and long term profits for his clients. What else matters?
Thanks for your comment on Dodgy Favourites. I just read a few reviews of it online. One review clams to have incurred a 20 point loss from Jan-Apr 2009. Has that been your experience?
On an aside, have you seen on http://www.racing-index.com/tipsters/ the 12 month performance of “Racing for Profit Outsiders”. 879 points profit in 12 months. WOW. But, that required over 7000 bets in 12 months, so that reduces I suppose the amount you can place per bet compared to other systems. Still seems impressive though?
Racing for Profit Outsiders… I’m not knocking him at all as his approach clearly works. He’s -3000 points at SP, but at Betfair SP he’s up 879.
The losing runs are weeks and months and hundreds of selections. And, here’s the kicker, if the guy had even 25 active subscribers, the Betfair SP would reduce sufficiently to diminish or even eliminate his edge.
If I were him, I’d be using this myself only. The problem is that, at those type of odds, the market just doesn’t have enough liquidity.
Just my view of course. He might have more than 25 subscribers. 🙂
Matt
Well, I subscribed to TTS this year, after reviewing it last year, and bought it on the back of the bot software. Unfortunately I don’t have time to get online during the day, so the software seemed the perfect solution. I went with the 3 x £77.00 installments – but have had to cancel the last payment due to Gavin not responding about issues relating to the software backing horses over 14/1
TTS is a good system, but Gavin seems to have let it down with customer service. I know he’s a mate of yours Matt – give him a nudge 🙂
I think if people on this site remember, however good your system is, be prepared to back it up with better customer service. This is key in my opinion. If you respond and resolve queries about your system in a professional, always smiling, manner – that is a big part of keeping your customers – not just for the current system, but for future systems you may want to promote. And always respond quickly. 24 hours is fair enough, 48 hours an absolute max – even if you can’t resolve the issue, a quick email to say you are looking into it. It may only be a small issue to you, but to your customer it’s big. It means the difference between a customer thinking (and even worse saying) – the robbing barsteward has got my money and now he doesn’t give a monkeys – NOTE – I’m not saying Gavin is a robbing so-and-so before anyone intimates I am :-O
Hi Toby
Good post, and I’m sorry to hear about your problem with Gavin. What email address were you trying to get him at?
Anyway, I’ll point him at this post, and ask him to respond personally to you.
Really sorry to hear you didn’t get a reply..
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, the nag-nag-nag one, the TTS one and his AOL one – can’t say I didn’t try LOL
How’s the States going?
Evening folks, Just thought I’d post a follow up to my “rant” / post yesterday.
Customer Service is something I deal with everyday – in my day job and with my online business(es). In my day job, I deal with the issue straight away – I do this because 99% of the time it’s via the phone. There’s no getting away with it. Now Customer Service isn’t always about dealing with angry customers – you can provide good Customer Service to anybody who you have contact with regarding the business – making them feel special. Always doing it with a smile. You get the picture.
Dealing with an angry / disgruntled customer however, is alot harder. Sometimes you have to bite your tongue and suck up – even if you know the customer is wrong. Sometimes you just have to walk away from them – knowing that there is no chance they will be dealing with you again. The latter scenario is something I try and avoid as, depending on how you tell a customer that their custom is no longer wanted can be damaging to your business and image. For every ten customers you please, one will spread the word. For every one customer you piss off, they will tell ten!!
The former scenario, if done properly, can have future benefits to your business. Apology, explanation, gesture. I’ve done it myself – daytime job and internet job. I have to. In the daytime job, I’m usually picking up on other departments mistakes and it usually ends up in some form of discount, or future discount – but not always – I hate giving money away – but it usually does the trick 😉
But giving people money back doesn’t always work, you have to give them an explanation as to why the problem occurred and if possible a reassurance it won’t happen again. Then the customer will maybe understand why the issue occurred and be more understanding. If they feel reassured, they will do business with you in the future. They will also have the confidence that, in the event of something going wrong, you have the ability to deal with it. This, strange as it sounds, can sometimes be better than there never having been a problem in the first place.
It’s something to think about folks. Just for the record, Gavin has come back to me and all has now been resolved, to the extent that I have given him my assurance that I will be buying TTS from him next season. Thanks Gav for the explanation 🙂
Hi stuart can i ask why you obtained a refund for thr FP system i have been using it for a wee while now and it obviously works at least it does for me.Ofcourse i’m playing to huge stakes.
sorry guys that should have read not playing to huge stakes lol the head thinks it but the fingers forget to type it lol.
Hi Matt
How have your favourite 5 been doing over the last month or 2?
Cheers
brian