Bookmakers and betting exchanges are the most common options one uses for making bets in UK horse races.  However there is still controversy regarding which is the better option for using to make bets.  Like everything in life, everything has its own advantages and disadvantages and it is basically up to you to decide which the better option for you is.

Whatever option you choose, remember that you can increase your chances of making money if you have some inside information on horse racing. You should also have an extensive and thorough knowledge of the horse betting industry which is usually possible after years of studying the UK horse racing industry. And of course, sometimes you have to bring along lady luck with you to expect some wins in a horse race.

The feature of your being able to lay a horse on the exchange is the largest and most significant difference between using bookmakers and betting exchanges for your betting. With this, you can practically act as a bookmaker and bet on a horse that loses. So in a race of 8 horses, you betting on the favorite to win the race mathematically gives you a 1 in 8 chance of winning the bet.  However if you lay the favorite and bet on the horse to lose, then you mathematically have 7 in 8 chance of winning the bet.

On exchanges, it is possible for you to bet on horses to place. This is not similar to placing each-way bets with bookmakers who take half your stake and place it on the horse to win and the other half on its place. If you are sure of a horse finishing at a certain place, and then get lucky enough that the horse actually wins the race, then betting on a horse to place on the exchange will prove to be beneficial for you.

The main reason people prefer using betting exchanges is that the odds of wining here are about 20% better than the odds of winning with bookmakers. So you naturally stand a chance of winning more money when making UK horse racing bets through betting exchanges.

Moreover, betting exchanges let you bet in-running; which means you can place a lay or back bet when the race is going on. This is the reason many exchange punters have their fingers over the mouse button during a race so that they can make the last second bet on the horse that blazes down a race from 5th place to1st place in a matter of 2 furlongs.

With betting exchanges, you can use the help of software in placing bets for UK horse races. This software lets you create your own betting strategy with the help of Microsoft Excel. As they are officially registered with Betfair and Betdaq, you will be able to do things standard exchanges can’t do.

 And last, but not least, when you win money from bookmakers, the bookmaker usually grows frustrated and suspicious of your win, but this makes it all the more satisfying.  However in the case of betting exchanges, the exchanges are always happy you win as they earn a small commission with each winning bet.  I’ve always felt that for a layperson, it is not always possible to beat the bookmaker; but it is indeed easier to earn money by using a betting exchange.