Betting on the outcome of horse races is as old as the sport itself, and for many fans, it represents an integral part of it. The archetypal visit to the racetrack always included a stop at the betting shop to make your picks, and the same is true today when most of the action happens online. Some of the older equestrian lovers may not be aware of the possibilities afforded by internet sportsbooks, which also include live betting in real time.
This short guide to online betting on horses will give you a basic overview of this market and explain what you need to do to make a bet on a race that has already started.
How Live Betting Works?
You no longer have to rush to turn your picks in before the starting gun goes off when you are betting on the web. Thanks to a technologically advanced system for automatic updating of betting offers, online bookmakers are allowing the players to place their bets even if the race has begun. Players can watch a part of the race, then decide whether it’s worth following a hunch and putting an active wager on a horse they like. Since it takes only a few seconds to make the bet from a smartphone or computer, you don’t really need to take your eyes off the race at all. Everything happens over the web, so live betting option remains available no matter where you might be located – at home, stuck in traffic, or even at the racetrack watching from the stands.
How Are Odds Determined for Live Bets?
As you might have suspected, the odds won’t remain the same throughout the race. They start from pre-race values that are based on past performance and reputation, but change dynamically as the horses vie for the lead on the track and new favorites emerge from the pack. The sportsbooks are using advanced software to adjust to odds very quickly, leaving only a short window of time to act when you notice something during the race. Thanks to constantly changing odds, live betting can let you find a great deal even if you weren’t satisfied with the original offer. However, you must be an expert in equestrian matters in order to spot the overlooked contender and place your bet while the odds to win are still high enough to make it worthwhile.
Where Can You Make Live Bets Online?
Live bets on horse racing are pretty standard across all sports betting platforms. Major bookmaking sites offer odds on all major international races, and you can even find some local ones too. For example, if you are interested in North American horse racing live betting, Canada has many websites that have all races on the calendar covered. The odds might fluctuate slightly from one website to another, so making a comparison is a good way to start your preparations. Of course, you need to be a member of the site in order to make the wager, so it makes sense to select a few reputable sportsbooks and use them whenever there is a race going on and you are watching it. With a membership, you can log in from any device and all of the funds you have on the account will be available.
How to Win Consistently at Live Betting?
To have any chance of coming out on top, you need to know what you are doing. Live betting on horses is notoriously tricky because the situation can change very quickly, so only people who are actively following the equestrian sport should risk their money on this betting mode. Before the race, it’s prudent to research the track and its history, as well as study the contenders and try to identify any undervalued horses. You can then watch how they get out of the gate before deciding whether to throw some money on them. As with all other bets, you need to have some tolerance for risk, but it’s not wise to chase long-shot propositions just because the odds are high. You can also use live betting to hedge an existing wager that doesn’t look promising early on, thus limiting your losses.
Why is Live Betting on Horses so Popular?
Horse racing has always been extremely popular with bettors, both casual and serious. The sport is very exciting and races frequently end in unexpected ways, making it possible to guess a surprise winner and claim a big sum. This popularity has translated to online sportsbooks, where horse racing accounts for a significant chunk of the action. Live betting in particular is well-suited for this sport, as it can match its dynamic nature and allow bettors to take advantage of sudden changes at the track. In an era of instant gratification, this combination has proven to be very appealing to people from all generations, located all over the world – even in countries that have no significant history of horse racing. In effect, live betting creates new aficionados of the equestrian sport and ensures that the biggest races are followed fervently across the globe.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.