Betting - Straight bets

Win bet

It is in this type of bet that handicappers should be looking for standouts (a dog with a 15% or higher advantage). If a large enough difference exists between the top dogs, betting to win is usually a good strategy. The exception to this rule may exist at smaller tracks as this can dramatically affect the odds.

Place bet

Many people bet to place because so often they feel that betting to win is a risky business and that winning a small amount of money is better than winning no money at all.

It is unwise to bet a favourite to place. It is better to bet them to show which will be dealt with shortly. The best situation in which to make a place bet is when you have a strong contender that is 5-1 or better.

Each way single

This consists of two bets, the 50% on the win, and 50% on the place, which covers you for a dog placed 2nd in a 6 dog race, and 2nd or 3rd in an 8 dog race. The place part is usually paid as 1/4 the odds, although each bookmaker does change this slightly due to runners, race type, etc.

You can bet this on the tote as well, but you have to put 50% in the win, and 50% in the place pool, although they will accept it written E/W on a slip. Again payout depends on how much is in the pool.

As this bet consists of 2 bets, if only the place part comes in, you will only get 1/2 your stake back.

Unless you are using the TOTE, you must always place equal, or more on the WIN portion of the bet. You can place 60%-40% on with bookmakers, but 40%-60% with the TOTE, or any other splits. Many people are unaware of this and this type of betting can prove lucrative.

Betting to show

Betting to show is normally not available in the UK and tends to only be on offer at tracks with 8 boxes.

Players with even less faith in their handicapping skills are often relegated to this type of bet. Although there is nothing wrong with show betting it will rarely if ever make the bettor a consistent profit.

Any contender that is worth betting to show is worth betting to win or place. If you feel that the best dog can only be counted on to come third then you should avoid betting at all. The exception, may be the following “two dog “ strategy that consistently makes a profit.

If you fancy the favourite, or a 5-1 odds dog to win a race it may be wise in this scenario to show bet.

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