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If you’re new to horse betting, you might be excited at the prospect of using knowledge, observation, and strategy to win on horse races.
You might also be intimidated by all the terms and technicalities of horse racing. Understanding horse racing is about more than just picking the best horse to win. It’s also about calculating odds and picking the best bet for you irrespective of where the horses finish. Let’s take a look at a few essential tips that all horse betting beginners should follow.
Go the Paddocks
You have to get as much inside information as possible about the horse you’re going to bet on before the race. One of the best ways to do so is to go to the paddocks. Trainers will be there with their horses, and this will give you the chance to do some spy work. Are their horses twitchy or calm? Pay special attention to their ears and tail. If you see them twitching and moving uncontrollably, or if the horse seems nervous, it’s usually a bad sign.
You also want to pay special attention to the relationship they have with their trainer. Do they seem loving and does the horse seem to be comfortable around them? You should also check for signs of good health. The horse’s coat can often tell you how healthy a horse is, so make sure that it’s thick and shiny. This is a reflection of their health and nutrition, but also how well they’re treated by their owner.
Look Up the Jockeys
You should also know that jockeys play a very important role in horse racing, and veteran bettors know just as much about the jockeys as they do about the horses. You can look up the information on top jockeys on Equibase. Note that the best jockeys usually get offered the best horses, so you have to consider this. Good jockeys are usually chosen because they have talent, however, so make sure that your horse has a good jockey.
Look Up Veteran’s Picks
Do not ignore expert picks on horses. These could end up being your best resource as a beginner. These people have been at it for years and know what they’re doing. You don’t have to follow everything they say, but it could give you some important data that you can add to the rest of the information to make a solid pick.
Know the Track
This is one thing that could turn you from a beginner horse better into an expert. While you will get a lot of information on a race from racing forms, you won’t get information on the type of track that will be used. Some horses have better records on turf than they do on dirt, for instance. This is very important if you want to be able to make some steals.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try Different Bets
A lot of people will start by only placing win bets, but you shouldn’t be intimidated by other types of bets. Win bets can actually be very tough to win if you’re a beginner. Show and place bets are much more forgiving, and you should use a combination of different bets when getting started.
You can also bet on multiple horses if you want to make things fun. In this case, the Quinella would be a good option. It allows you to win if the two horses you pick to win finish in the first two positions. However, unlike an exacta, the order doesn’t matter. This is a good way to maximise your bet without taking too much risk.
Get Plenty of Free Practice
We would also suggest that you start by betting online instead of live. Why? Because you’ll find tons of betting offers and bonuses online. You can use review sites to check out the latest betting offers and get money back on your first deposit. This will give you a chance to try out different strategies and win real money. Not to mention that you won’t have to leave the comfort of your home.
These are just some of the tips that you should follow as a beginner. You’ll get better after a while, but you have to start on a solid foundation, so make sure that you keep those in mind.
