API issue, in-play tennis betting (courtside)

[LFCBADBOY]

Hi people,

I would really appreciate any help with the following problem.

Today, I had a friend who was attending the tennis. So as an experiment, I asked him to send me the scores via msn messenger as they happen (as I have noticed how the odds move before the point is announced on most scoreboards etc. due to the delay).

Whilst I could get the score ahead of the scoreboard updates, there were other people beating me too it every time (by 1 or 2 seconds).

I would like to know, how it would be possible for them to do that when I was getting the scores pretty much instantly (before the ball had even landed).

I was thinking it could be several things:

1. speed of laptop
2. the API settings on geeks toy (but I have it set to 200ms for the updating of prices which is the fastest)
3. using different software


Since I heard that geeks toy is the fastest betfair api software, I was wondering how these people could beat me to it.

I was doing 1 click bets, with no confirmation.

I have also heard of something called vpn? Don't really know much about it, but could this help?

Does other software offer quicker api speeds for updating prices?

I have 5 mb bt broadband, could that be the issue? not fast enough?

Any suggestions on how I could speed the process up would be much appreciated

[The Geek]

If it were me, I would do this....

Seeing as laptops are banned etc, it wouldn't be rocket science to have a device with a button in each pocket. Click left pocket for a point one side & right pocket for a point the other.

This sits on top of some custom mobile app that works in a similar but more advanced way than BAs tennis trader modelling software. But with the added bonus of placing & cancelling bets at the right price.

That would give me a second or 2 advantage over the method you describe.

[LFCBADBOY]

Hi Geek,

Very nice to have a response from the main man himself!

When you say "have a device with a button in each pocket", what kind of device would you be referring to?

And when you say "this sits on top of some custom app which automatically places and cancels bets at the right price", how do you mean "sits on top of"?

Any idea where I can get something like this made? Seems very complex to me, how it would know the right prices to enter at etc.

If you have any further info, I would be most grateful

[The Geek]

No idea. You wanted to know how you were being beaten, and that is how I would do it based on what I know of technology.

Remember the pro courtsiders have been doing this for years and I suspect they will be using something very similar to what I just described.

[LFCBADBOY]

Ok thanks for your reply Geek.

Can I just confirm that there is no way to increase the speed of the prices received to less than 200ms?

I'm sure there are other ways for me to improve my reaction time without having to develop a system similar to what you described.

Just wondering whether faster internet, or some different software would make a difference.

[The Geek]

Other than a personal API subscription there is no way to increase the refresh time as Betfair restrict API products to 5 calls per second.

[rockaren]

There will always be somebody taking cookies from kids....

Those BIG guys are not easy to beat...but good luck to you and your friends


ohh...just found you are ...BADBOY.....LOL

courtside betting is forbidden and banned...not legal, just in case some of you doesn't know

[1/4 of a millionaire fund]

Surely you should be looking to increase you speed of placing the bets not refreshing the prices, if anything I'd be looking to reduce the speed of price updates.

[Temujin]

How can it be quicker somebody typing the results to you than somebody betting when they happen... How long does it take to type, and what device is he using?

Set your mobile up on VPS and go and watch the tennis. Has to be the quickest way.
If he has his mobile out typing to you, why not just have it out and bet instead?

[Temujin]

In fact, screw the VPS. Go and sit at the gates of the tennis with your laptop on wireless. Have him in there on mobile hooked up to your laptop remotely and you can watch the scores based on the bets he makes.

His role, make you bulk. Your role, make sure nobody steals the laptop, and quality control of the beer.

[LFCBADBOY]

Thanks for the comments!

I was doing it by this method so it wouldnt be illegal Was using msn messenger on blackberry to get the message over. My friend was just typing the first letter of the players name to me, and I was placing the bet.


The typing is instant (well, as close to instant as you can get).

Never really see much posted on the net about courtside betting, I guess the guys who do it want to keep it a heavily guarded secret!

Oh well, I won't give up, just need to think of ways to try and give these pro courtsiders a run for their money!

One can hope

[rockaren]

Have a look ......

http://www.sportismadeforbetting.com/2011/01/courtsiders-not-welcome-in-chennai.html

there is alot more to find about big problem called courtsiders....

I really like this part...

The ATP has taken photos of the accused and noted down their passport details, which will be circulated to tournaments across the world to curb the betting,”

[Temujin]

How exactly would they know the difference between using a mobile to bet, and using a mobile to type a message?

[Leonthefixer]

These guys have been making absolute fortunes for a long time and obviously have a lot of money to spend to ensure they are at the forefront of technology. Unless you have a lot of money to invest in tyring to beat them I wouldn't waste your time and money.

There are teams of people doing it isn't usually a one or two man band from what I know about it, there is good money to be made and as such they are very sophisticated!

[Cran]

How exactly would they know the difference between using a mobile to bet, and using a mobile to type a message?

by when you are pressing the keys maybe...

so if you don't want to get caught do it 10 secs after the point is scored

Seriously though you need some sort of automated (and simple) press a button system wired up to a wireless device pre programmed with the betting logic like the geek suggested, as anything else would be too slow and/or detectable.

An alternative would be to rent an apartment with a view over the courts, but that would be less portable and more expensive.