All About Horse Racing Odds

Betting on horse racing is centuries old. The first official bets on this type of racing were made back in the 17th century, and it is believed that unofficial bets date back as long as this sports discipline has existed.

Since then, you have continuously been able to bet on horse racing in England, and in modern times the sport has become a global phenomenon and is now available almost anywhere in the world via the best online bookmakers. After the great popularity of horse racing in England, this sport quickly spread to the rest of Europe.

All About Horse Racing Odds
Jean-Paul Uwizeye
Written byJean-Paul UwizeyeWriter
Fact checked byIliana PetkovaFact Checker
How to read horse racing betting odds?

How to read horse racing betting odds?

It took many years for horse racing to find its way among the public. Today, it represents a sport with a large number of spectators, and is especially well-known among sports betting bookmakers.

What is interesting about horse racing betting is the fact that the rules and types of bets vary from country to country. For example, in North America you can bet on the winner of the race but not on the positions, while in Europe and Asia you can bet on the group placement depending on the number of horses taking part in the race.

How to read horse racing betting odds?
All about horse racing odds, betting lines and spreads

All about horse racing odds, betting lines and spreads

One of the reasons why horse racing betting online is so popular is the simplicity of betting. In addition, the races are always fast and dynamic, so you will never get bored.

The Preakness Stakes, Grand National, Kentucky Derby, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Melbourne Cup, and Nakayama Grand Jump are all examples of horse races held around the world that attract huge betting traffic.

Most horse racing bookmakers online offer many betting options which are all very fun.

Horse racing moneyline betting

When you choose this method you actually have to choose the horse you are betting on to win and the only way your bet will be the winning one is for your horse to come in first place. Horse racing has a really wide range of moneyline odds, beginning from really low odds like 1.20 to very high odds, sometimes even over 300.

It's very important not to be afraid to bet on horses with big odds. Of course, this has to be backed up by solid analysis and knowledge. There are many bettors who are afraid of betting on high horse racing odds.

Those would say that the chance of winning is too small and constantly fell into the trap of betting on horse racing odds below 2.50 which is not recommended for horse racing betting. After a while, you will all know when taking risks pays off and how to spot valuable opportunities.

All about horse racing odds, betting lines and spreads
Horse race formation and how to bet on horse racing

Horse race formation and how to bet on horse racing

This is the most neglected, yet many claim that it is the most important factor for analyzing the race you want to bet on. Try to understand the running styles of the protagonists and what would suit them best. For example, if we have two serious aggressive favorites in front, both are prone to destroy each other in front and clear the way for the horse that was behind.

Similarly, if the horse in front is given a soft start to lead without pressure, he is much more likely to run at his best. A lot of this is a matter of gut feeling that will come from the experience of watching thousands of races and taking precise notes.

Horses from larger, more famous studs are generally overrated in relation to their actual form. Try not to succumb to rumors and reputations and focus on what you have seen with your own eyes.

Younger participants who are just starting out are often more enthusiastic than those who have already experienced success in the past. "New" trainers have excellent starts over jumps, which the bookies have not yet applied to their lists.

Horse race formation and how to bet on horse racing
Horse racing betting lines explained

Horse racing betting lines explained

Place and show

Place horse racing bet means that you win if the horse you bet on comes in first or second place. Betting odds here are usually lower than Win bets but you get a backup if your horse ends up second in a tight finish.

When it comes to show, it gives you even more chance to make a mistake, as the chosen horse can be in one of the first three places and you will win the bet. The odds are much lower than when you play Win and Place.

Accross the board

This way you can include all three previous bets at once. So you're betting that your horse will be first, one out of two and one out of three. Odds are fine, not huge, because the chances of guessing are higher. This method is quite popular, because it is interesting and includes more options.

Exacta

Bets like this are a bit riskier and what is recommend is to try some of the simpler ones listed above first. This bet means that you have to guess which horse will be first and which horse will be second and only if that exact order appears and you are the winner.

Horse racing betting lines explained
How to find the best horse racing betting odds

How to find the best horse racing betting odds

The biggest attention should always be given to the quality of the odds when choosing a horse racing bookmaker. If you plan to bet on horse racing regularly, betting at the best odds should be a priority. Different bookmakers will have different odds for horses in the same race, and you want to bet at the highest possible odds to ensure the maximum amount of winnings if you win.

Also, when choosing a horse racing bookie, you want to make sure that the bookmaker you use pays out the maximum number of places. You will be very disappointed to see your horse finish fourth and have a losing bet, only to realize that if you had placed the same bet with another bookmaker, they would have paid out the fourth place finisher as well.

Finally, when choosing a horse racing bookmaker, always pay attention to the best bonuses. There are many online bookmakers that offer fantastic welcome bonuses, while others will have special horse racing promotions.

How to find the best horse racing betting odds
The best online betting sites for horse racing odds

The best online betting sites for horse racing odds

Horse racing is always popular, so accessing reliable information is quite easy. The easiest way to collect data is to follow social media profiles of stables, jockeys and trainers. You should also regularly visit horse racing sites like SkiRacing, The Guardian and At Races. This site publishes very useful information about training, racing and horses.

Compared to the other sports, finding the best bookmaker that offers good horse racing odds and lines is quite difficult since not all of them found it profitable.

Anyway, the biggest online sportsbooks have good horse racing offers. One of those certainly is William Hill. All the options on horse racing betting you can think off can be found there and often there are promotions that make horse racing betting even more exciting.

1xBet is another place where you can find everything you wish for when it comes to horse racing. Good odds, a variety of options and live betting is all you need to enjoy horse race betting.

The best online betting sites for horse racing odds
Tips and tricks for horse racing betting odds

Tips and tricks for horse racing betting odds

A prepared strategy is of great importance in horse racing betting. It's nice to have a plan to stick to and thus avoid potential losses.

When it comes to horse racing, pre-race analysis is probably the most important part of betting. You should always pay attention to the form of the horse itself, as well as track conditions and other factors that can affect the race. Taking the time to do a little research will usually pay off.

Online you can find various programs that give you all the useful statistical information about horses, their trainers and even their owners. Usually, these apps are charged. However, the price is not high, so it is worth investing in one of them.

Also, follow the smaller breeders and their achievements, not just the stronger studs. Many bettors think that by playing the biggest favorites they will always profit, but this may not be true. Look for rising stars as well, especially if you want to play some multi-position bets.

It's not bad that despite all the reviews and statistics available, you also keep your own records about horses because you don't think exactly the same as the people who are in charge of data processing.

Tips and tricks for horse racing betting odds
About the author
Jean-Paul Uwizeye
Jean-Paul Uwizeye
About

Born and raised in Rwanda, Jean-Paul Uwizeye seamlessly connects the world of online casinos to Rwandan enthusiasts. With a unique blend of Western gaming insights and deep Rwandan cultural roots, he's a go-to localizer for engaging and relatable content.

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