Life is too short to visit betfair. (betfair.com)

Member Name: stickywicket

Product:	betfair.com
Date:	12/01/02 (284 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some good odds available

Disadvantages: POP UPS!

Now I am an addict of most things, internet, the Sims, Playstation, dooyoo and I like a few pennies on a horse on a Saturday. My regular hang out was Flutter.com where you could lay a squid on a horse/politician/popstar whatever took your fancy (not all three together though you understand..although I don't know these days....) It was basically for fun bets but those that wanted to take it seriously with the big money could do so.

Just before Christmas Flutter announced they would be merging with betfair.com in January 'to offer the punter the best odds on the net'. Well they know what they're doing, got to be for the best I suppose, so I transfer my account this week, before the deadline of Saturday 14th.

First Impressions of Betfair? Too much information, cold and impersonal site with about as much user friendliness as Phil Mitchell has charisma!

So lets log in, no problem, card registered -you can register two cards, however remember that debit cards don't incur transaction fees, credit cards do - 2 % I believe.

Spare fiver in my account (the minimum deposit is 25 if you open a new account) off to look at the next race. On the left hand side of the homepage is a list of sports events and categories to select, choose one then just underneath in a second menu the list of events is shown for that category. So pick a race and the available selections for that race opens on the main screen. All fairly easy and understandable.

Now one thing flutter didn't have was the choice of place betting in horse racing, (well they did once but let me not confuse you any further) betfair do give you this option. So on your main screen you can lay against the horse winning, or back a horse to win. Personally on Flutter I used to back and lay, (especially againt a rock solid favourite that failed to perform...) however it only cost a £1, Betfairs minimum is £2.

So place your bet, ask for odds whatever the
site does walk you through the pros and cons, what to do how to do it with lots of confirmation screens, but I have two main gripes with the site. Firstly the commision on winnings 5% for me, not particularly happy with that as it was half that on Flutter.

The biggest log off and out feature for me is the pop up windows, nearly every feature be it view your funds, view or edit your bets, has a pop up. I hate pop ups, they are the most irritating thing since ..er...Phil Mitchell? Hence life is too short for pop ups.

So I've cashed in my winnings of £20, goodbye betfair, emailed Flutter to tell them I miss them and am off to find a nice cosy unintimidating betting website that will give me say a free tenner....anyone recommend one?

Summary: