Using VB2008 to acccess the Betfair API: A tutorial

[Camper]

Thank you! I'm not at my computer now but I will try it later.

Another thing, I have no idea how to write a code to close a trade using VB, I have to do other things in my program before i start thinking about that but everytime I do I get scared

I'm reading this topic when I have some free time, I'm currently on page 40 or so, I don't know if that subject will come on the next twenty pages.

[BigSprout]

Camper,
the topics pertaining to bet placement are covered in page 19 -> 24

Step 19. Place a Bet
Step 21. Cancel a Bet
Step 22. Change Bet size & price
Step 23. Changing a Bet
Step 20. Monitor a Bet

There is an index of all the steps on page 45, supplied by member "labus", which I have bookmarked

cheers

[Camper]

Thanks for the info, I've already read those a few days ago and used some of the info on my program.

But let's say I have a back on player one and a lay on player 2, what I need to do to trade out those 2 bets? With multiple positions open on a market I don't know what to do, with one bet only it's quite easy I think.

I will read those posts you said again, maybe I'm missing something.

Regards

[pubnuts]

Step 2

Hi all,

I am trying to implement step 2 using vb 2010 but I am getting the following error on the BLogin_Click sub.

Value of type 'BetfairBot.BFGlobal.KeepAliveReq' cannot be converted to 'BetfairBot.BFGlobal.keepAliveIn'

This error occurs on the following line of code

oLoginResp = BetfairGL.login(oLoginReq) 'Call the API

I am getting a similar error on the bKeepAlive_Click sub.

I don't see anyone else coming across the same error so I must have something wrong.

I would appreciate it if anyone can help

Thanks.

[Camper]

Hi again

I get this error when I'm executing my program:

System.IndexOutOfRangeException: Index was outside the bounds of the array.

...on this code:

   Sub ShowMprices(ByVal MpriceResp As BFUK.GetMarketPricesResp)
        Dim aPriceB(2) As String
        Dim bPriceB(2) As String
        Dim aPriceL(2) As String
        Dim bPriceL(2) As String
        With MpriceResp
            CheckHeader(.header)
            Print("ErrorCode = " & .errorCode.ToString)
            If .errorCode = BFUK.GetMarketPricesErrorEnum.OK Then
                With .marketPrices
                    Dim MS As String
                    MS = Val(bMstatus.Text)
                    MS = .marketStatus
                    Dim MID As String
                    MID = Val(bMarkid.Text)
                    MID = .marketId
                    With .runnerPrices(0)
                        Dim Id0 As String
                        Id0 = Val(bSelecid.Text)
                        Id0 = .selectionId
                            With .bestPricesToBack(0)
                            aPriceB(0) = .price
                            aB0.Text = aPriceB(0)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            aBA0.Text = y
                            End With
                        With .bestPricesToLay(0)
                            aPriceL(0) = .price
                            aL0.Text = aPriceL(0)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            aLA0.Text = y
                        End With
                        With .bestPricesToBack(1)
                            aPriceB(1) = .price
                            aB1.Text = aPriceB(1)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            aBA1.Text = y
                        End With
                        With .bestPricesToLay(1)
                            aPriceL(1) = .price
                            aL1.Text = aPriceL(1)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            aLA1.Text = y
                        End With
                        With .bestPricesToBack(2)
                            aPriceB(2) = .price
                            aB2.Text = aPriceB(2)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            aBA2.Text = y
                        End With
                        With .bestPricesToLay(2)
                            aPriceL(2) = .price
                            aL2.Text = aPriceL(2)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            aLA2.Text = y
                        End With
                    End With
                    With .runnerPrices(1)
                        bSelectid1.Text = .selectionId
                        With .bestPricesToBack(0)
                            bPriceB(0) = .price
                            bB0.Text = bPriceB(0)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            TextBox3.Text = y
                        End With
                        With .bestPricesToLay(0)
                            bPriceL(0) = .price
                            bL0.Text = bPriceL(0)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            TextBox1.Text = y
                        End With
                        With .bestPricesToBack(1)
                            bPriceB(1) = .price
                            TextBox43.Text = bPriceB(1)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            TextBox42.Text = y
                        End With
                        With .bestPricesToLay(1)
                            bPriceL(1) = .price
                            TextBox35.Text = bPriceL(1)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            TextBox33.Text = y
                        End With
                        With .bestPricesToBack(2)
                            bPriceB(2) = .price
                            TextBox41.Text = bPriceB(2)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            TextBox40.Text = y
                        End With
                        With .bestPricesToLay(2)
                            bPriceL(2) = .price
                            TextBox34.Text = bPriceL(2)
                            Dim y As Integer
                            Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
                            y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
                            TextBox32.Text = y
                        End With
                    End With
                End With
            Else
                Print("ShowMprices Error")
            End If
        End With
    End Sub

I googled and it seems that I'm getting this error because I'm using an index here that is higher than the number of items in the array.

I have no idea how to solve his and believe me I've googled a lot

Thanks in advance.

[BigSprout]

Hi Camper,
Normally the "Index out of range" error is caused by requesting data which isn't there,

e.g
there is only 1 price in Best Prices so:

	.bestPricesToBack(0).price 'would give a valid return
	.bestPricesToBack(1).price 'would give an "Index out of range" error

so you need to test first with something like:

if .bestPricesToBack.length>0 then
    with .bestPricesToBack(0)

    ...your code

    end with
end if

if .bestPricesToBack.length>1 then
    with .bestPricesToBack(1)

    ...your code

    end with
end if

...etc

What you have written is okay and working well for you, so these are just a few suggestions that may help in shortening the amount of code

'*** You can also decrease the amount of code written
	bPriceB(2) = .price
	TextBox41.Text = bPriceB(2)

'*** can be written in one line as:
	TextBox41.Text = format(.price,"0.00")



	Dim y As Integer
	Dim x As Double = .amountAvailable
	y = Convert.ToInt32(x)
	TextBox40.Text = y

'*** can be written in one line as:
	TextBox40.Text = format(.amountAvailable,"0.00")

'*** or if you want it as an integer value:
	TextBox40.Text = format(.amountAvailable,"0")

[Camper]

Thanks for your help

I did as you said but a strange thing is happening.

The code I'm using now is this:

   Sub ShowMprices(ByVal MpriceResp As BFUK.GetMarketPricesResp)
        With MpriceResp
            CheckHeader(.header)
            Print("ErrorCode = " & .errorCode.ToString)
            If .errorCode = BFUK.GetMarketPricesErrorEnum.OK Then
                With .marketPrices
                    Dim MS As String
                    MS = Val(bMstatus.Text)
                    MS = .marketStatus
                    Dim MID As String
                    MID = Val(bMarkid.Text)
                    MID = .marketId
                    With .runnerPrices(0)
                        Dim Id0 As String
                        Id0 = Val(bSelecid.Text)
                        Id0 = .selectionId
                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 0 Then
                            With .bestPricesToBack(0)
                                aB0.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                aBA0.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 0 Then
                            With .bestPricesToLay(0)
                                aL0.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                aLA0.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 1 Then
                            With .bestPricesToBack(1)
                                aB1.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                aBA1.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 1 Then
                            With .bestPricesToLay(1)
                                aL1.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                aLA1.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 2 Then
                            With .bestPricesToBack(2)
                                aB2.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                aBA2.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 2 Then
                            With .bestPricesToLay(2)
                                aL2.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                aLA2.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                    End With
                    With .runnerPrices(1)
                        Dim Id1 As String
                        Id1 = Val(bSelectid1.Text)
                        Id1 = .selectionId
                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 0 Then
                            With .bestPricesToBack(0)
                                bB0.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                TextBox3.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 0 Then
                            With .bestPricesToLay(0)
                                bL0.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                TextBox1.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 1 Then
                            With .bestPricesToBack(1)
                                TextBox43.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                TextBox42.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 1 Then
                            With .bestPricesToLay(1)
                                TextBox35.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                TextBox33.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 2 Then
                            With .bestPricesToBack(2)
                                TextBox41.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                TextBox40.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 2 Then
                            With .bestPricesToLay(2)
                                TextBox34.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                TextBox32.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                            End With
                        End If
                    End With
                End With
            Else
                Print("ShowMprices Error")
End If
        End With
    End Sub

I'm getting wrong values everywhere, sometimes the prices are working great, sometimes other values are shown (5th best price or greater) and other times no value at all.

[BigSprout]

Camper,
this could be because you aren't clearing your text boxes, e.g:

TextBox34.text displays "3.45" when you 1st read in price data, then the next time there is no data for .bestPricesToLay(2) and so TextBox34.text still displays "3.45" (remains the same) and seems to be reading incorrect data.

You need to clear the displays if no data is available:

If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 2 Then
    With .bestPricesToLay(2)
	TextBox34.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
	TextBox32.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
    end with
[COLOR="Red"]else 
    TextBox34.text=""
    TextBox32.Text=""[/COLOR]
end if

[Camper]

Still with the same errors.

The code I'm using:

Sub showmprices(ByVal mpriceresp As BFUK.GetMarketPricesResp)
        Dim id0, ms, mid, id1 As String
        ms = Val(bMstatus.Text)
        mid = Val(bMarkid.Text)
        id0 = Val(bSelecid.Text)
        id1 = Val(bSelectid1.Text)
        With mpriceresp
            CheckHeader(.header)
            Print("errorcode = " & .errorCode.ToString)
            If .errorCode = BFUK.GetMarketPricesErrorEnum.OK Then
                With .marketPrices
                    ms = .marketStatus
                    mid = .marketId
                    For i = 0 To .runnerPrices.Length - 1
                        With .runnerPrices(i)
                            If .selectionId = id0 Then
                                If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 0 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToBack(0)
                                        aB0.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        aBA0.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    aB0.Text = ""
                                    aBA0.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 0 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToLay(0)
                                        aL0.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        aLA0.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    aL0.Text = ""
                                    aLA0.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 1 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToBack(1)
                                        aB1.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        aBA1.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    aB1.Text = ""
                                    aBA1.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 1 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToLay(1)
                                        aL1.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        aLA1.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    aL1.Text = ""
                                    aLA1.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 2 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToBack(2)
                                        aB2.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        aBA2.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    aB2.Text = ""
                                    aBA2.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 2 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToLay(2)
                                        aL2.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        aLA2.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    aL2.Text = ""
                                    aLA2.Text = ""
                                End If
                            End If
                            If .selectionId = id1 Then
                                If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 0 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToBack(0)
                                        bB0.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        TextBox3.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    bB0.Text = ""
                                    TextBox3.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 0 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToLay(0)
                                        bL0.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        TextBox1.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    bL0.Text = ""
                                    TextBox1.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 1 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToBack(1)
                                        TextBox43.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        TextBox42.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    TextBox43.Text = ""
                                    TextBox42.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 1 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToLay(1)
                                        TextBox35.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        TextBox33.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    TextBox35.Text = ""
                                    TextBox33.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 2 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToBack(2)
                                        TextBox41.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        TextBox40.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    TextBox41.Text = ""
                                    TextBox40.Text = ""
                                End If
                                If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 2 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToLay(2)
                                        TextBox34.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        TextBox32.Text = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    TextBox34.Text = ""
                                    TextBox33.Text = ""
                                End If
                            End If
                        End With
                    Next
                End With
            End If
        End With
    End Sub

Output:


The real values on Betfair:


This is driving me nuts.

I thought it may be better to use getMarketPricesCompressed because it returns the best 3 available back prices and the best 3 available lay prices with amounts available, exactly what I need. I'll try and let you know.

[BigSprout]

Camper,
this type of error causes the problems you are getting (clearing the wrong text box):

                                If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 2 Then
                                    With .bestPricesToLay(2)
                                        TextBox34.Text = Format(.price, "0.00")
                                        [COLOR="Red"]TextBox32.Text[/COLOR] = Format(.amountAvailable, "0")
                                    End With
                                Else
                                    TextBox34.Text = ""
                                    [COLOR="Red"]TextBox33.Text[/COLOR] = ""
                                End If

I think it would be in your best interest to get some books on programming in VB2010 and also check if there is any suitable courses being run at any of your local schools/colleges/universities that you can attend.

The errors you are making will most probably be very costly if they continue into placing bets code

[Camper]

Thanks BigSprout.

I ended up using getMarketPricesCompressed and the code on step14.

If someone wants to know how to do a small ladder using textbox's to display the 3 best back and lay prices this is the part of the Mumble0's code I changed:

    Private Sub BetFairUK_getMarketPricesCompressedCompleted(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As BFUK.getMarketPricesCompressedCompletedEventArgs) Handles BetFairUK.getMarketPricesCompressedCompleted
        Dim id0, id1 As String
        id0 = Val(bSelecid.Text)
        id1 = Val(bSelectid1.Text)
        Try
            If Not e.Cancelled Then
                With e.Result
                    CheckHeader(.header)
                    Print("ErrorCode = " & .errorCode.ToString)
                    If .errorCode = BFUK.GetMarketPricesErrorEnum.OK Then
                        Dim oMarketPrices As New UnpackMarketPricesCompressed(.marketPrices)
                        With oMarketPrices
                            For i = 0 To .runnerPrices.Length - 1
                                With .runnerPrices(i)
                                    If .selectionId = id0 Then
                                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 0 Then
                                            aB0.Text = .bestPricesToBack(0).price
                                            aBA0.Text = Int(.bestPricesToBack(0).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 1 Then
                                            aB1.Text = .bestPricesToBack(1).price
                                            aBA1.Text = Int(.bestPricesToBack(1).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 2 Then
                                            aB2.Text = .bestPricesToBack(2).price
                                            aBA2.Text = Int(.bestPricesToBack(2).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 0 Then
                                            aL0.Text = .bestPricesToLay(0).price
                                            aLA0.Text = Int(.bestPricesToLay(0).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 1 Then
                                            aL1.Text = .bestPricesToLay(1).price
                                            aLA1.Text = Int(.bestPricesToLay(1).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 2 Then
                                            aL2.Text = .bestPricesToLay(2).price
                                            aLA2.Text = Int(.bestPricesToLay(2).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                    End If
                                    If .selectionId = id1 Then
                                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 0 Then
                                            bB0.Text = .bestPricesToBack(0).price
                                            bBA0.Text = Int(.bestPricesToBack(0).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 1 Then
                                            bB1.Text = .bestPricesToBack(1).price
                                            bBA1.Text = Int(.bestPricesToBack(1).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToBack.Length > 2 Then
                                            bB2.Text = .bestPricesToBack(2).price
                                            bBA2.Text = Int(.bestPricesToBack(2).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 0 Then
                                            bL0.Text = .bestPricesToLay(0).price
                                            bLA0.Text = Int(.bestPricesToLay(0).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 1 Then
                                            bL1.Text = .bestPricesToLay(1).price
                                            bLA1.Text = Int(.bestPricesToLay(1).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                        If .bestPricesToLay.Length > 2 Then
                                            bL2.Text = .bestPricesToLay(2).price
                                            bLA2.Text = Int(.bestPricesToLay(2).amountAvailable)
                                        End If
                                    End If
                                End With
                            Next
                        End With
                    End If
                End With
            End If
        Catch ex As ApplicationException
            Print(e.Error.Message)
        End Try
    End Sub

It's working just fine

[Geierkind]

Hi

I got a small problem here:

I will present a sub for showing Prices of AllMarkets (usual stuff). But in it I will filter Cleansheet markets. This is no problem for 3way bets since the condition string will just be "MatchOdds" or in german language "Wettquoten". But for Cleansheet-Markets betfair doesnt provide all markets in one language but mixes the Strings. So far.
Now it gets a bit worse for my very little experience with VB, because I dont really know how to write placeholders in the string. And since the market-names for Cleansheet-Bets contain(!) the name of any team, I would like to use them. Thanks for any help. This would be my sub, and my idea for the solution, which just doesn't find any markets in AllMarkets which fit the condition. Thanks for any help!

 Private Sub clsprices_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles clsprices.Click
        tLog.Text = ""
        With AllMarkets
            For j = 0 To AllMarkets.marketData.Length - 1
                If AllMarkets.marketData(j).marketName = "*Clean Sheet*" Or AllMarkets.marketData(j).marketName = "*ohne Gegentor*" Then
                    iMarket = j
                   
                    ShowMprices(BetFairUK.getMarketPrices(MpricesReq))    'Get market prices

                End If

   
        End With
    End Sub

[Mumbles0]

Geierkind,

The " placeholder" characters (*, #, etc.) have no special meaning within a VB string. Probably easiest to use the String.Contains method, for example:

If .marketName.Contains("Clean Sheet") Then

You could also use the InStr function.
Note that the substring comparison is case-sensitive.

[Geierkind]

Hey, now thats first-hand help

Thank you very much

PS: Your Tutorial is just great! I didn't know anything about VB and now just after reading and trying to understand whats going on in your tutorial I get all things done, even by myself so far
I would certainly donate a few dollars if you had asked. A good guy you are!

[I am the one and only223]

Excellent thread. Wish I'd found it a long time ago!

The app works fine in VS2010 but when I create a .exe file for the simplest version, it falls over when logging in. What's the best way to create a .exe file?

Thanks