Horse racing keeps your eyes glued to the screen; who isn’t fascinated by these majestic and powerful animals? People used to gather in arenas to watch them, but now it’s possible with a few clicks right at home.
But there is a problem: betting on horse racing may seem difficult. And it will indeed take a little time for beginners to get the hang of it. Well, that’s why we’re here. Today, let’s look at how it works and give you some tips for success.
Bet Types
You can’t do anything without a base, so here are the predictions available:
- Win. It’s simple – you guess the winner of the race. Each horse has a number – you enter its name. You can also bet on an outsider. This horse doesn’t need to finish last; it can be anywhere except first. However, the coefficients are pretty low due to the low risk.
- Place. It’s a slightly easier variation of the previous one. You also bet on the favorite, but it is enough for them to take the prize. The number of winners depends on the specific race. For example, in a race with 14 participants, 4 of them will win.
- Double. We immediately recall the express in other sports. This time, you guess 2 winners from 2 different events.
- Double double. Same principle, but 2 more horses are favorites.
- Exacta. The capper has to guess the winner and the second place.
This information is enough for beginners, even tho there are more options.
Popular Races
From our own experience, we say that it is most interesting to follow local ones. This is your country, your people, so you feel a special connection. But don’t neglect the world championships, either. So, here are some of the main events:
Grand National (Ireland and Great Britain)
The main features are a challenging course and a large number of obstacles. The long-distance adds an element of strategy. It is like the Champions League in football, attracting bettors and fans worldwide.
Kentucky Derby (Louisville, Kentucky, USA)
It is the first stage of the Triple Crown, so it is essential to follow the competition if you plan to bet on the final step.
Melbourne Cup (Melbourne, Australia)
All horses start the race simultaneously; it creates a tense atmosphere, don’t you agree? The Cup is also famous for the best costume contest – spectators no doubt love it.
The Dubai World Cup (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
This tournament has the highest prize pool among all horse races, so it is considered the most luxurious and elite.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Paris, France)
This race has evolved from a street show to a world-renowned event. Participation in it confirms the high sporting class and power of the participants.
Each offers unique characteristics and atmosphere. Of course, you want to watch all of them at once, and in principle, you have this opportunity. They usually occur at different times, but we recommend first focusing on the most popular ones.
Tips on Preparing
If you play pokies, you know that it’s all about luck. Instant PayID pokies in Australia generally offer horse-themed games, so you might be used to this order. But in real horse racing, a lot depends on analysis and statistics. Just cover these aspects:
Program. Winning directly depends on it, so find out the details of the race day. Don’t neglect the competitors’ statistics and their latest results. Also, always follow the news.
Horse’s class level. Different competitions have horses depending on their speed, strength, and performance. Choose the one you are best at or that is more interesting to watch.
Arena surface. Arenas have different conditions and surfaces – usually grass, dirt, or artificial. Horses ride differently on them and perform better on certain tracks.
The most important signpost is the result. If a jockey and horse are always on the favorites list, it is better not to bet on them as outsiders unless there have been recent injuries.
Bottom Line
We can’t deny that horse racing is all about dynamism and entertainment. But betting on it will only be fun if you stick to a few rules. First, always gather information. Second, control your bankroll. Select the most prominent competitions and minor bets until you’re more experienced. Once you are familiar with the sport and manage the risks, then everything will be alright. Make our tips useful for your first victory.
