Historically the telephone was the main way of contacting your broker. And you would normally have a designated broker that you would deal with.  They could be on the phone with another client, or phone lines could simply be busy at times of high market activity (which is often when there is most money to be made).With the newer, online accounts, you do not normally have to wait for your broker to get back to you before entering or closing any trade. Whenever you feel like financial spread betting, online spread betting companies offer instant execution by the telephone or via our fully interactive online dealing system, assuming appropriate liquidity in the markets.