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Once you have signed up to an online bookmaker you will need to know how to set up a betting account. This is to make the user interface work for you and provide the best user experience possible. If you haven’t already signed for a betting account yet, please visit this guide on opening a betting account.
Having your online betting account set up to work for you is extremely important especially if you are in-play betting or need to get a bet on as quick as possible. Not having the correct options set up can and will add extra time or clicks which could cause a delay.
Ok, so what do we need to consider when setting up a betting account?
Set up the preferred odds format
Being in the UK, all the UK facing online bookmakers like to have the odds set in fractions, which is great if you really understand fractions and the returns you will be getting from your stake. I much prefer decimal odds as they are easier to read.
For example: you place a £10 bet on the following odds:
Fractional 6/4
Or
Decimal 2.5
Your returns with stake will be £25
We have a full guide on odds explained which also explains American odds.
Set up the language on your betting account
Setting up the language is pretty simple and obvious, you will generally have the language native to the country you signed up in. However, you can also change this if you want to.
Which deposit method to pick when setting up a betting account
Setting up a deposit method is often an overlooked step, remember that the method you deposit with will be the method you have to withdraw with. Online bookmakers have to follow these rules in order to prevent money laundering.
If you are thinking of applying for mortgage in the future you may not want betting transactions on your statements, so have a think about this carefully.
Certain methods will also have deposit limits which if you do not have a second option set up could cost you time and you may miss a bet whilst you have to fill your details in. Doing it right the first time is important.
Set up email settings
Generally speaking you do not want to receive emails from companies trying to sell you stuff.
However, it is always worth receiving emails from your online bookmaker. They will send out general promotion emails but they can also send out personalised promotion emails.
Having bet credits/bonus bets/free bets added to your account is always welcome and you need to have your email preferences set up correctly to receive these.
Setting up maximum inactivity time
Within the settings you have the option to set your maximum inactivity time, this allows you to auto sign out after a certain period of time. This can be handy to stop relatives or friends accessing your account if you leave the laptop around.
Setting up limits for deposits
Responsible gambling is important and setting your limits when you sign up is the best way to stop you spending more than you want to. All bookmakers have the option s to set your daily/weekly/monthly deposit limits.
Hide your account balance
I like to hide my account balance on the screen to stop my peers having a look, this is easily done from your account settings.
Automatically accept odds changes
This is a setting you make see in your bet slip and it is there as odds do change and can change whilst in the process of placing your bet. This is especially prevalent in horse racing as odds fluctuate tremendously before a race.
I would only use this option whilst betting on a time sensitive event other wise you can look elsewhere for better odds
Other considerations
Once you have signed up to a bookmaker you will get a feel to the user interface and a lot of it will be customisable. Make sure you take adavantage of the settings to benefit your experience.
