If you’re serious about sports trading, mastering the Back and Lay Strategy is essential. This approach forms the backbone of how professional traders operate on betting exchanges like Betfair.
In this guide, we’ll explain what the Back and Lay Strategy is, how it works, and how you can use it to lock in profits or reduce losses—regardless of the match outcome.
📈 Example of Back and Lay Strategy in Action
⚖️ Why Use a Back and Lay Strategy?
This method is all about:
💰 Securing a profit before the match ends
⚖️ Managing risk with minimal losses
🧠 Taking advantage of odds movements
It’s often used in-play or for pre-match trades, where odds move due to news, goals, line-ups, or market sentiment.
💡 When to Use It?
There are two common scenarios:
Pre-Match Trading – Back a selection days before and lay closer to kick-off when odds drop.
In-Play Trading – Back before a goal, then lay after the goal when odds drop.
But remember: timing and execution matter!
To understand this better, read our article on trading execution.
🤖 Tools for Back and Lay Strategy
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Many traders get this wrong by:
Entering too late (odds already dropped)
Not planning the exit
Ignoring commission on both bets
Using different markets to hedge (which can reduce profit, as explained in our article on trading related markets)
🧠 Final Thoughts
The Back and Lay Strategy isn’t about guessing match results—it’s about understanding market movements, planning entry and exit, and managing your bankroll.
Use it wisely, and it can be one of the most powerful strategies in your trading toolkit.
