Horse Racing Betting Guide
Most Horse Racing fans and actual racegoers enjoy a day out at the racecourse. But when it comes to placing a bet, they often don't know how to select a winning horse and what type of bet to make. Information in newspapers and form summaries in the race card can be confusing so here are a few tips on selecting a horse and placing a bet.
Checking the "Form"Form is an indication of a horse's past performances and is an important factor. So too is the weight he's carrying. Studying form from newspapers and the race card can assist in picking winners but it's also worth actually having a look at the horses in the parade ring before the race, to see how they're looking.
A shiny coat, bright eyes, forward-pointing ears and an alert manner is what you're looking for. How does the horse move? A relaxed forward stride is ideal. A heavy sweating horse can be an indication of nerves, but some horses do perspire a lot. Also don't be put off by blinkers or visors, which are worn to help channel the horse's concentration during the race.
Try to watch each horse as they canter to the start - you're looking for an easy flowing motion, rather than jerky, hesitant movements.
Placing A Horse Racing Bet
Having made your choice of horse, how do you decide on a bet? You can choose one of three ways to bet:
~ On the totepool
~ With a bookmaker
~ In the racecourse betting shop
The totepool operates on a pool basis. All the money bet in a particular race or pool is shared out amongst the winners, once the totepool's percentage has been deducted. You place a bet at the totepool counter on the number of the horse you've selected and receive a ticket which you exchange later for your winnings.
The difference between Horse Racing Betting with totepool and a bookmaker is that at the moment of making your bet with totepool you cannot know for sure what your return will be should your bet win, since the final amount in the pool (and thus the amount to be divided) is not known until the race has started.
Totepool Horse Racing Betting Options
Win -You bet on the horse to win the race.
Place -You bet on the horse to be be placed - first or second in races of five, six or seven runners; first, second or third in races of eight runners or more; first, second, third or fourth in handicaps of sixteen runners or more.
Exacta (Perfecta) - In races of three or more runners, you pick two horses to finish first and second in the correct order.
Trifecta - You pick three horses to finish first, second and third, in the correct order in races of eight runners or more.
Jackpot - You pick the winners of the first six races at the designated Jackpot meeting.
Placepot - You pick horses to be placed in each of the first six races (or to win any race with fewer than five runners).
Quadpot - You pick a horse to be placed in each of the Quadpot races (usually races 3-6).
Scoop6 - You pick the winners of each of six nominated Saturday TV races.
Horse Racing Betting Bookmakers
Bookmakers are found in the Tattersalls/Grandstand and paddock and Silver Ring/Course Enclosure. You can place a Win bet which means that if your horse wins, you do; if it doesn't, you don?t. If there's a dead-heat for the win, you receive half what you would have received for an outright win.
You can also place an each-way bet - one to win, and one for the same horse to be placed (that is, to finish in the first two in races of five or more runners, the first three in races of eight or more runners, the first four in a handicap of sixteen or more runners).
It's a good idea to study the bookmaker's boards displaying the odds of each horse and select the best odds on offer before placing your bet. The bookmaker will give you a printed ticket (your receipt) with the horse, price, stake and the odds of your bet.
The Racecourse Betting Shop
Betting in a racecourse betting shop is very similar to betting in any off-course shop. A variety of bets are on offer. As in an off-course betting shop, you fill in a slip and hand it over together with your stake. The slip is receipted and you are given a duplicate, which you return to the counter for paying out should you be a winner. In the racecourse betting shop you can bet in smaller amounts than with a bookmaker.
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Please return to our home page where you can see free Betting offers from many of the well known and established bookmakers.
