Have you ever been to a racetrack to hear cheers so loud that your eardrums might pop? This is the excitement when a winning horse soars across the track to make many people more prosperous.
It is always good to know how to bet on horse racing because it is a great way to make extra money, especially if you do research beforehand. Horse betting has been around even before casinos and lotteries.
There is a reason why it is a tradition for many families to pull up their chairs near the finish line and relay bets to the tellers. Here is everything you need to know about horse betting for beginners and how to maximize your payouts.
Why Bet on Horse Racing?
When it comes to horse betting, you may be wondering why it should be of importance to you. You may be thinking, “this is something my grandfather used to do, so why should I be into it?” Watching horse racing as a sport is an excellent experience.
Especially if you are not a fan of gambling in a dark and smoke-filled casino. Horse betting feels more like entertainment.
It is different from other forms of gambling, and nothing beats the adrenaline of watching your favorite racehorse zoom past all the others while you jump up and down in the stands or in the comfort of your home if you prefer watching races online.
There is so much tradition and history behind horse racing that makes the entire experience so much fun. Whether you win or lose money, you are bound to have a good time if you watch a horse race. The minimum bets on horses are usually low, so anybody can get in on the action and have a solid chance of winning if they play their horses right.
Horse Betting Tips
You should start with two categories of wagers. These will be exotic or straight wagers. If you are betting for beginners, it is better to stick to straight wagers. They are inexpensive and easy to play with if you are dipping your toes in a horse race for the first time.
With straight wagers, you just need to pick which horse will come first, second, or third place. Exotic wagers are trickier because they allow you to make multiple bets. You do not need to commit to a single horse with one wager. An exotic wager requires more skills and knowledge about horse racing.
These can be more expensive, but the payouts are way higher than straight wagers, so exotic wagers are harder to win. However, you can significantly expand your chances of winning by spreading your bets across the board when you gain more experience.
How to Pick a Winning Horse
Now that you know the different ways how to bet on horse racing, the next step is to choose your winner. Most people find it easy to drop a little money to predict a winning horse, but others want to win some serious cash. This is why horse betting is so exciting.
You always get caught up in the thrill and suspense of knowing that every race can make you a little richer than when you left home. There is a reason why you will find yourself jumping out of your seat to yell “GO!” when your horse races around the final corner of the track to make a break for the finish line.
How to pick a good horse? There are numerous websites and books to help with handicapping. This means picking horses. The process can seem tricky because everyone has different opinions on the most essential factors when choosing a winning horse.
Although good old luck is always a significant factor in losing money or getting rich, handicapping is more fun because you gain a sense of control. The rules of handicapping are easy.
The goal is to gain enough information before going to the racetrack so that you do not feel like you are throwing caution to the wind. Randomly picking horses can be fun, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy conversations with you if you join the community and share tips with others.
Find Useful Information
There can be too much or too little information on horse betting, depending on where you look. It is always best to familiarize yourself with a racing guide or program. This will significantly boost your chances of successfully handicapping the suitable horses.
A program should be crammed with valuable insights to help you make smarter bets. It should have a section for each race day with all the historical statistics. Although the numbers and letters in a program can initially feel intimidating, you will get used to them with practice.
With some horse betting experience, you will become a pro at analyzing the right information to place bets that maximize your win. Check out these Derby predictions to determine the best horse to gain the best payouts.
Horse Class Levels
There are various levels of competition in horse betting and racing. The higher you go up in class, the better-trained horses you will find. The main race classes are maiden, claiming, allowance, and stakes races.
Racetracks usually try to have horses that race at the same level of competition. However, horses tend to move up and down classes across the year. This is dependent on their performance, and classes can change depending on a horse’s wins or losses.
Surface Type
Not all racetracks are the same. Some have grass tracks with dirt, while others have all-weather areas. Horses perform differently depending on the track and surface.
Some horses may love a dirt track, while others hate it. Therefore, you should always refer to your program to see a horse’s past performance and the track they raced on.
If you are on a neat track but your favorite horse races better on a dirt track, you are better off eliminating that horse from your list of bets.
Master Betting Tips
Now that you know how to bet on horse racing, it is time to place your bets and get ready for the most exhilarating experience. Always do a lot of research about the type of horse, their race class, and the track they will be performing.
These valuable insights will help you make a more informed decision instead of gambling away your money. If you enjoyed reading these betting tips, check out some of our other posts for more information.