Horse Betting Strategy – Best Tips to Win
Immersing yourself in the exclusive atmosphere of horse races. Choosing a horse to bet on and monitoring how he or she performs.
Inhaling the unique smell if you’re watching the race from your seat or feeling your heart jump and thrum if you’re an online bettor.
Anyone who placed bets on horse racing knows that it’s one of the most exciting types of sports in the world, and the number of its fans keeps growing annualy.
There is a difference between placing one bet for fun and becoming a professional punter. If you’re interested in upping your skills and starting to make a living with your bets, you’ll need a good, comprehensive horse betting strategy.
We prepared a set of tips that every future long-term bettor will benefit from.
Bankroll Management as a Key to Bettor Longevity
You might feel annoyed just from reading the name of this tip. Many people think that they know how to manage their money, so they aren’t interested in getting additional advice.
That’s a big mistake. Sports betting comes with its risks, and the thrill of horse racing can cloud the minds of the toughest and most resilient punters. Consider these strategies before you start wagering for real:
- Fixed staking based on the amount. Determine how much money you can spend on your horse bets per month, and divide this sum into the number of races you’ll participate in. For example, if you plan to bet $1000, prepare this amount and start betting accordingly.
- Confidence-based staking. If you like the odds in one specific race, bet 5% of your total bankroll on it. If your confidence level is low, bet 1%. You’ll need to do research to understand the difference between the odds, though.
- Martingale system. This strategy is risky, and it’s better suited for people with enough money to spare. Double your bet after every loss you face. This way, you’ll be able to recover quickly, but you might also burn through your total bankroll sooner than you’d like.
- Kelly criterion. Follow the formula of “expected win probability – loss possibility / odds.” You’ll need good probability estimates here, though.
Pick a bankroll management strategy that works best for your unique circumstances.
Best Bookmakers for Horse Betting
| Bookmaker | Bonus | Min. Deposit | Rating | Visit website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | Please Gamble Responsibly | begambleaware | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | ||||
| 1 | 150% Welcome Bonus + 15 free bets Up to 60 000 on your first 3 deposits + 100 Free Spins | Full T&Cs apply. | $10 | Leon Bet review | |
| 2 | 100% Welcome Bonus Up To 100$ To receive the bonus, you need to make a deposit and activate it in the 'Rewards' section. | Full T&Cs apply. | $2 | SpinBet review | |
| 3 | Receive a Welcome Bonus up to $100 First Deposit Bonus 50% up to $100 | Full T&Cs apply. | $10 | Bet and Play review | |
| 4 | Get a $50 in free bets! Get $50 in free bets for your first $10 bet with odds from 2.0! | Full T&Cs apply. | $5 | Betfair review | |
The best bookmakers offer some great enhancements and promotions to stimulate their bettors’ interest. Keep your eye out for them.
Free Bets
Some platforms offer welcome bonuses or even free bets to their new bettors. Take advantage of that. For example, if you make a deposit of $30 to place a bet, you can get at least $15 back.
Price Boosts
There might be enhanced odds on certain races or horses, like a horse priced at 4/1 being suddenly promoted to 5/1. Compare these boosts across different websites and settle on the best options to earn more.
Accumulator Bonuses
Plenty of bookmakers offer extra large bonuses for those placing multiple bets. This approach is challenging, though, because to get an accumulator bonus, all your bets will have to win. Still, the prize might be well worth it.
Money-Back Options
Look for platforms that offer a cashback for situations where your bet loses under certain circumstances. For instance, if your chosen horse arrives third, and this was specified in the conditions from the beginning, you might get your money back.
Comments from a Trainer or a Jockey
Some punters are tempted to read the comments from the trainers or jockeys. This might be interesting for average viewers, but if you plan to bet on horses, don’t do this! Seriously, just don’t.
No matter how professional you think you are, you’ll be affected by what you read. A trainer’s bright joke, a jockey’s over-confident comment, and you might find yourself swayed.
Similarly, if you choose a horse to bet on, and then you see multiple criticisms of it, you might lose your nerve.
Sure, the commentators might turn out to be right, but what if they aren’t? What if your hunch would have earned you thousands? Trust yourself over the players involved.
Mastering Race Research & Analysis
While trying your luck blindly might pay off from time to time, nothing beats making an informed bet. For that, you’ll have to do thorough research, and we can offer several excellent recommendations.
This is what you’ll have to consider:
- Horse form. Get to know each horse in the upcoming race better. Research how they performed in the past, any news related to their health, race distances and conditions in which a particular animal showed their best.
- Track conditions. What is the surface type in the race you’ll be betting on? Are there any challenges involved? What is the weather forecast? Answer these questions, and your chances of making a correct prediction will grow.
- Trainer and jockey. Consider the success rates of the involved jockeys and their trainers. Compare how they fluctuate based on changing track conditions.
- Weight change. Changes in the assigned weight might affect how a horse performs, so watch out for it.
- Market trends. Pay attention to odds fluctuations. There is no need to trust others over yourself, but you might still gain valuable insights, especially as a newbie.
Watch different past races, read the relevant material, and prepare for your horse betting thoroughly. Get some basic knowledge from the start, and the rest will come from your growing experience.
Strict Emotional Discipline
You might scoff at the advice to behave well, but in such a risk-fraught environment as horse betting, correct discipline is a must.
The slightest deviation from the rules you established, and you’ll be losing more than you’re prepared for. To prevent this outcome and maximize your winnings, keep the rules below in mind.
It’s Okay to Lose
First, accept the fact that everyone loses. Yes, even the most experienced punters ever cannot win all the time, and that’s fine.
That’s what gives betting a kick. Don’t get into a mad rush to compensate for losing by placing more and more bets — it can work as a part of a calculating strategy, but not as an act of desperation.
By acting on your feelings of panic and disappointment, you’ll only chase yourself into a deeper corner.
Take Breaks
This recommendation is closely connected to the first one. If you’ve been experiencing a losing streak for some time, force yourself to take a step back.
Unwind a little bit. Do something else for a chance. In a week or a month, come back with a fresh mindset, ready to start anew.
Prioritize Research
If you want to get anywhere as a horse betting punter, focus on doing research first and foremost. Don’t rely on your intuition — it won’t work here unless a miracle happens.
Similarly, don’t let public opinion sway your resolve. Trust your research, and place your bets accordingly.
Keep Records of Your Bets
Track the bets you place by putting them into writing. Mention your stake, the odds, the outcome, and other race-related details.
This will help you understand your own patterns, and once you do, you’ll be able to identify both the strengths and the weaknesses of your strategy.
Strategy Mistakes to Avoid
Everyone makes mistakes, but the good news is, once you have a clear strategy, avoiding them won’t be all that difficult. Consider the following rules:
- Don’t be overconfident. Even if you succeed in winning time and time again, don’t let it go to your head. Avoid placing large bets on a single horse, no matter how confident you are about their victory,
- Focus on quality, not quantity. Accumulator bets are great for experienced and wealthy bettors. If you don’t meet these requirements, try not to place too many bets at once. It’s better to support one horse with more money than to make 10 low-cost bets that won’t deliver anything of substance to you, even in case they win.
- Set realistic goals. Decide how much money you would like to make per month, but keep your goals achievable. Avoid expecting too much, especially at the beginning, or the constant disappointments will kill your enthusiasm before you have a chance to flourish.
- Don’t neglect research. Intuition alone can only bring you this far. To make consistent earnings from your bets, you need to understand the horse racing field and everything it involves.
Stick to your chosen strategy and multiply the possibility of placing winning horse racing bets.
Long-Term Success Is a Possibility
While you can’t avoid losing entirely, you can still make certain that your bets win more often than not. To do this, you’ll need a combination of research, discipline, and patience.
Analyze the market in which you’re competing. Learn more about horses, jockeys, and race conditions. Compare the best betting sites and choose reliable bookmakers with the best offers and reap the rewards.
