A better bet

SIR – I have not placed bets with a conventional bookmaker (Letters, July 6) since 2002, when the world’s leading betting exchange emerged.

At one fell swoop, this enabled the ordinary punter to gain much greater value (most prices being better than any bookmaker’s) and never to be restricted on any bet, no matter how large. It allowed the punter to behave like a bookmaker and lay bets – which, let’s face it, is how bookmakers became the behemoths they are today.

The exchange takes a commission but this is a small price to pay to be a winning punter. Martin Baker

Tadworth, Surrey