BETTING ON HORSE RACES – SOME THOUGHTS
HORSERACING IN THE UK
The variety of horseracing in the UK is unparalleled anywhere in the world.
Sixty racecourses, each with a unique atmosphere, cater for all tastes and
pockets. A day`s racing is an exciting occasion and a great horse or famous race
can transform the day into a magical occasion. Britain`s racecourses offer an
enjoyable day out for people of all ages. All courses offer free admission for
accompanied children aged under 16.
HORSERACING FIXTURES
Racing can take place in the UK for 362 days a year, the only exceptions being
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Good Friday. Sunday racing has grown in
popularity in recent years, while evening meetings are excellent for those
working the nine-to-five and thus unable to attend afternoon fixtures.
TYPES OF BET
Betting to Win
A win bet is exactly what it says; the selected horse must win the race for the
bet to be successful. Returns from such bets include the stake, so £10 on a 4/1
winner returns 4 x 10 + 10 = £50.
Each-way Betting
A each-way bet is actually two bets, one for a win and one for a place, so costs
twice as much as a win bet to the same stake, i.e. £10 each-way costs £20. Such
a bet on a 4/1 winner returns £50 for the win, as above. Assuming the place
terms are ¼ the odds, the place return is 4 ÷ 4 x 10 + 10 (the stake) = £20,
giving a total return of £70. If the selection is placed, the win bet is lost,
leaving a place return of £20.
Place-only betting
Place betting is only available with the "Tote." Dependent of the size / type of
the field a dividend is declared, to a £2 stake, on horses finishing in the
first two, three or four places.
Jackpot and Placepot
These are also Tote-only bets. The Jackpot requires a punter to name the first
six winners at a meeting.
Horse
Racing Systems The Placepot, which appears to be a punters` favourite,
requires the successful prediction of a horse placed in each of the first six
races. Permutations are allowed with both bets and rewards can be very
lucrative.
BETTING EXCHANGES
Betting exchanges such as BetFair, BETDAQ and WBX have revolutionised horse race
betting. They act as brokers, essentially allowing customers to bet against each
other backing selections to win or laying them to lose. Prices tend to be a
little higher than those offered by "traditional" bookmakers. The ability to bet
or lay horses "in-running" is a particularly popular feature with punters.
ONLINE BETTING
Online betting on horseracing has grown vastly in popularity over the last
decade. Opening an account with an online layer is a quick, straightforward
process, with various bonuses offered for doing so. Holding a "portfolio" of
accounts with several of the top online bookmakers ensures that a punter will
always get the pick of the prices on offer.
BETTING TIPS
For those contemplating parting with cash in exchange for racing tips, there are
a number of things to bear in mind:
1. Some unscrupulous tipsters charge extortionate amounts for alleged privileged
information. Any tipping service with a subscription in excess of about £30 per
month should be ignored.
2. Previous selections used in advertising must have been "proofed" to a
reliable source, e.g. the Racing Post.
3. Beware the phrase "profit to recommended stakes". Such stakes are often £100
or more, often beyond the means of the casual punter. "Level stakes profit" is a
far better measure of a tipster`s success rate.
4. The number of bets expected in a given period. An average of about one per
day is reasonable.
POPULAR HORSE RACES
The Cheltenham Festival
Extended to four days, featuring twenty-five races, in 2005, the Cheltenham
Festival is the pinnacle of UK National Hunt racing. It takes place in
mid-March, with steeplechasing`s "Blue Riband," the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the
closing afternoon.
Royal Ascot
Ascot`s Royal meeting, held in the third week of June, has been extended to five
days, with a Group 1 race on each day. Over ¼ million people "invade" Berkshire
every June, to attend Europe`s most prestigious race meeting.
Grand National
The "National" is the world`s most famous race, run over Aintree`s unique
fences, at the beginning of April. The 4m 4f contest never fails to capture the
public imagination and generates many millions in betting turnover, both in
betting shops and by way of Grand national online sports betting.
www.bet123.net/wp/category/grand-national
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