Betting on greyhounds is both fun and exciting as the action is fast and furious and the returns almost instant, but what should punters consider before parting with any hard-earned cash?
Like in any sport, there are no certainties and favourites do not always win, and it is not recommended just to follow the market leader.
There are so many variables with dog racing, such as the track conditions, weather and the fact that anything can happen during the race, that it is wise to bet small, especially if you are new to the sport.
Bethut.co.uk has all the best tips and sites available for online betting on greyhounds but, whether you are sat at home or trackside, a glance at the dog’s form is essential.
Greyhound racing is graded and a winning dog may well be placed in a higher grade for its next contest, and so a winner one week could well be squaring off with better animals the next.
It is also prudent to check out which trap a dog likes and whether it has been placed in the same box for all or most of its races.
Some like to hug the rail while others swing wide and, if a dog wins from trap one then make sure it is in the red jacket next time out before opting to back it.
Under paw conditions are also important as dogs are all different and will react to the state of the sand.
It is also vital to see if there are any trends at a certain track for dogs winning from a specific box if it is wet.
It has been known for animals in the outside traps to prosper when the rain is falling as they can avoid the chaos when they all come together at the first bend, but it is not always the case and research is important.
The odds in greyhound racing will not be as great as those encountered in horse racing as there are only six participants in any contest, and so it can be wise and profitable to look at different types of wagers.
Forecasts are popular, where punters must correctly predict the first two dogs home while a reverse forecast is slightly easier as the top two can return in any order.
It is tough to pick a winner with either of these types of bets but they do provide a much greater return for a small bet.
Tricasts are bets where punters need to pick the first three home – a bet that gives a fantastic return but is so hard to get right.
There will be tips available on all races and these can be handy but, due to the nature of greyhound racing, a dog expected to do well could be bundled over at the first bend and so the experts do not always get it right.
There may be races in which a couple of dogs are clearly out of their depth and can be discounted and so the odds are more in the punters’ favour with only four dogs in with a shout of claiming the spoils.
Greyhound racing is a great night out and can be just as exciting watching on TV and betting at home, but make sure you follow the simple tips to increase your chances of coming away with a profit.