Lay betting is part and parcel of betting in an exchange these days and a major part of many punters strategies.
Laying the draw takes that a little bit further and is being adopted more and more frequently. So, what is it and how do you use it?
Take a look at our complete guide to laying the draw trading and take your strategy to the next level today!
What is Lay the Draw?
Laying the draw, or LTD as its sometimes abbreviated, is a strategy that involves placing a lay bet on the draw.
This is a type of bet that is available in a betting exchange, such as the likes of Betfair, Matchbook and Smarkets. It operates in the same way as placing a traditional lay bet, i.e. a bet where you lay a bet on a side not to win. In this case however, you’re laying on the draw.
This essentially means that you’re betting on the outcome of a game, for example a football match, not to finish a draw.
When to Lay the Draw
Laying the draw is most commonly used when there’s a clear favourite in the game. If there’s a team that are heavily tipped to win, the chances are the game will not finish in a draw.
As well as this there are many other circumstances in which laying the draw might be a good strategy to adopt.
For example, if a draw would be a bad result for a team, the chances are they are going to push for a winner, which can often result in three points for a team either way.
Other factors to take into account include:
- Team selection: How are a team set up? Are they sitting back and playing for a draw?
- Context of the game: If a draw suits both teams it isn’t the best idea to lay the draw. If one side needs to win, while the other has nothing to play for, a result is more likely.
- Injuries & suspensions: A star striker missing from a team could have an affect on their play and increase the chances of a draw.
- Head-to-head: Do the teams in question rarely produce draws? In which case it could be a game to lay the draw.
You can lay the draw at various stages of a fixture, with punters choosing exactly when based upon their strategy. You can:
- Lay the draw pre match: This is simple enough and involves laying the draw before a game has started.
- Lay the draw at half time: The odds are lower than pre match, but laying the draw at half time gives you the opportunity to analyse which way a game is going before placing your lay bet.
- Lay the score at half time: This is an option that gives punters better odds and rather than laying the draw you lay a particular scoreline. For example, you could lay 1-1. Again the odds will be lower than if you were to do so pre match but it can be a good earner.
- Lay a half time draw: This is a lay bet in which you’re laying on the score not to be a draw at half time.
- Lay 0-0 as a half time score: This is a type of bet in which is placed if you believe there will be a goal scored in the first half of the match.
Lay the Draw: An Example
If you are considering laying the draw, take a look at the example below to see exactly how it works.
Let’s say you want to bet on a Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Leicester City. In this instance you believe that Manchester City have the highest chance of winning the game.
However, based upon recent results and head-to-head form between the two teams, you also don’t expect the game to be a draw. This is where laying the draw comes in. In a betting exchange you can lay the draw, and as long as either side wins, you win!
So, if Manchester City were to win 2-1, your bet would win. Likewise, if Leicester were to get a shock result and win 2-1, you would also win. It’s that simple.
