Do you want to place better bets on horse racing events like the Galway Races, Royal Ascot, and Kentucky Derby? Like other varieties of sports betting, you’ll need to know the basics of horse race wagering to help you bet like an experienced sharp.
One of the keys to improving your winning chances is to learn how to read horse racing odds. You’ll then be able to place wise wagers ranging from basic win bets to more complex quinella bets (picking the first two finishers without specifying the order).
Finding the best games and sites like maximbet.com can also give you a better chance of winning bets in other types of online sports betting, including hockey, football, baseball and basketball. The key is to find “value bets” that improve your chance of winning.
Read on to learn some vital tips to help you bet like a horse-betting guru.
Do Enough Pre-Race Research
Many horse race bettors do little or no research before placing a bet. Simply reviewing the racing program before you wager any money can increase your chance of winning a bet.
Live betting is the most popular way to bet on horses, with races taking place all over the world. You can also bet on horseraces through the internet or at a bookmaker. In-running betting is another way to bet on horses, as the race is being simulcast. This type of betting is available at some horse tracks and golf courses. Tie bets allow you to make a bet on either the first or second-place finisher in a race. Multi-race wagers allow you to make multiple bets on separate races throughout the day. Parlay bets are similar to tie bets in that they allow you to make multiple bets on different horses in one race, but with a higher risk because the payoff can be greater if your horse does well. Pick sixes allows gamblers to make six different bets on six different horses in one race, which can be advantageous if your horse does well.
Racing forms or racing guides can help you make a more informed decision about which horse you should bet on.
Here’s some basic information to look for:
Race details: Basic information typically includes a race’s time, location, and the course’s distance. You should also research the type of track on which the race will occur, such as dirt or turf.
Horse details: The horse’s name and number are usually listed. You may also see the “horse draw” or starting position.
Other standard information includes the mammal’s gender, colour, and lineage. The country of origin may be listed for overseas horses.
Horse’s rank in past races: The rank in the past few races is typically listed. Horse races often include nine contestants, although the number may differ.
Horses that consistently finished in the top three places often have a better chance of winning the current race.
Horse’s jockey and trainer: The trainer’s record may be a snapshot of how much success they had in past races.
A racing guide may also list the jockey’s shirt colour. Avoid betting on a horse only due to its jockey wearing your favourite colour. Yes, it’s a thing.
Consider Recent Winners
Betting on a horse that’s recently won a race can be a good wager on horse races.
The form guides typically include this information. Horses may be more likely to win another race soon for various reasons, including recent racing form.
Don’t Automatically Bet on the Favourite
Keep in mind this doesn’t mean you should never bet on the horse favoured to win. That said, don’t automatically bet all your money on the favourite. Instead, consider the unpredictability of horseracing.
Here’s a fun fact: it’s estimated that the favourite horse wins about one-third of the time.
So after “putting all your eggs in one basket,” the odds that you’ll lose it all are generally greater than you’ll win. Diversify your bets!
Check Out the Horse’s Layoff
The layoff refers to how much time has passed since the horse’s last race. In general, a horse is laid off if it hasn’t raced for over 45 days.
As with human athletes, a long layoff can affect a horse’s performance during the next race.
The effect of layoffs is related to how competitive a track’s races are. If the horse track is highly competitive, even a short layoff can affect how well the animal performs in its next races.
Consider the Track Condition
Certain horses tend to perform better in particular track conditions. However, many horse racing betters don’t weigh the track conditions when placing bets. It’s a big blunder, like not considering if the race is on a dirt or turf track.
For example, some horses prefer a dry course, while others prefer a wet track.
An episode of the American TV show “Seinfeld” once included this horse race tip: “His mother was a mudder.” As the term suggests, a mudder performs better on a damp or muddy track.
In Europe, the turf courses are often soft, so the horses tend to run better on such surfaces versus firm tracks.
You can review a horse’s past performance on wet tracks. This information may help you make better picks.
Learn the Lingo of Horse Racing
This essential step can help you make better wagers. There’s a lot of horse racing terminology to learn, ranging from broodmare sire to bug boy.
Some terms may not be directly related to the horse race itself. However, learning as many horse racing terms as possible can help improve your pre-race research.
Prepare a Larger Bankroll for Exotic Bets
Exotic wagers include more complex mechanics like a superfecta. This wager requires you to pick the race’s first four placers correctly. Such bets have higher odds and bigger payouts.
While betting options like parlays (one bet with multiple selections) can provide bigger payouts, you should also have a bigger bankroll.
Suppose you can’t make the outlay (wagered money) to win massive payouts on complex exotic bets. In that case, consider more straightforward bets like:
Win: Pick the horse race’s winner.
Place: Pick the horse to place 1st or 2nd.
Show: Pick the horse to place in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
Final Thoughts
Horse racing has a long history, as the ancient Olympics Games included chariot and horseback racing.
Betting on horseracing in the UK can be a complex process for newbies in particular. The good news is learning the mechanics of horse betting may help you make better bets.
Combining the horse betting tips mentioned above with love for sports betting can help you be off and running.
