Place your bets now!
It goes without saying that, if you want to win, you have to bet on the right horse. In other words, the horse you have chosen must finish in the frame.
But how do you choose the right horse? There are many tools available to help you do this, such as the odds, the race card...and your intuition!
Introduction to betting
The “introduction to betting” stands are there to give you a simplified explanation of how to have a flutter. These stands are for novice betters only. Our experts will help you to prepare and place your bet and will give you valuable advice on how to wager like a pro. The theory is simple and anyone can have a go: you can bet very small sums of money, and you don’t even need to know about racing to get involved!
The Practical Guide to betting
Read the race card
First and foremost, pick up a race card when you arrive at the racecourse. In it you will find a wealth of important information, such as the horses entered in all the meeting’s races.
Select your race
There are usually between 7 and 9 races scheduled per day. Pick the race you wish to bet on and study the form of the horses. You can now start to analyse the race.
The odds
Get an idea of the odds on each horse by looking at a daily racing newspaper or check the screens around the racecourse. The race’s favourite has the shortest odds (e.g. 3/1) whilst the least popular horse has the highest odds (e.g. 30/1).
Single bet
In this type of bet, you can only bet on one horse. If you bet “to place”, your horse must finish in the top three. If you bet “to win” then he must finish first.
Double bet
The double bet allows you to bet on two horses in the same race. If you bet “to place” then they must finish in the first three, in whatever order (except if there are under a certain number of starters). If you bet “to win” then they must finish in first and second place (the order is not important).
Treble bet
The treble bet allows you to bet on three horses. They must finish in the first three places for you to win, regardless of the order. The potential winnings are higher in this type of bet, but so are the risks.
The paddock
Before the race, go to the paddock to see the horses parade and take the time to listen to what those around you are saying...but don’t believe everything you hear!
The betting windows
You can place bets until 30 seconds before the race starts. You will be given a betting slip showing the details of your bet. Hold on to it: you will need it in order to claim your winnings if you are lucky enough to win!
Watch the race
Find a good spot close to the track to watch the race from, and remember to bring your binoculars. They are very handy for following all the action on the track.
The finish
A few seconds after the horses have passed the finishing post, the official results are displayed on the screens. Wait for the announcement of the winners and head to the betting windows to claim your cash!
