Taking it all into account

Once you have familiarised yourself with spread betting it may be a wise option to open a couple of accounts with several different companies. This way you have access to a number of companies offering different deals at varying periods of time.

There are many recommended indexation companies, some of which are listed below:-

• CMC Markets – offer a wide range of options including shares, commodities, indices and treasuries
• IG Index – offer financial and sports spread betting
• William Hill – sports spread betting only
• City Index – financial spread betting and sports
• Cantor Index – provide financial spread betting only
• Cantor Sports – Cantor Index’s sister site which offers sports spread betting

Always make sure you read the terms and conditions of each account as the minimum deposit may vary from company to company. You have a number of options as to how you open your account, by post, by phone or online.

You will then be assigned your own personal account dealer and this person will be whom you liaise with throughout your time with that company. Until you become more experienced there will usually be a limit placed on your account which will encourage self discipline but common practice is that you will not be able to place any bets if the company think you can’t afford to cover the loss.