Types Of Dog Racing Bets

Dog racing finishes are photographed. When the result is close, the judge examines the picture before declaring the winner. The most popular dog racing surface today is sand. At one time, grass was the norm as this was both picturesque and fast-running. However, it became too difficult and expensive to maintain in a satisfactory racing. How to Bet on Horses. Read our Race Betting Guide to get insight on all of the types of wagering options in horse racing. Dig deeper below to get tips on the most popular exotic wagers with winning strategies provided by expert Kenneth Strong. Quinella Bets; Exacta Bets; Trifecta Bets; Superfecta Bets.

  • Page Contents:

The Best Way To Bet On Greyhounds

If you are looking for one sure-fire way to be successful when it comes to betting on greyhounds, then forget it. There is no one way to suddenly be making bank from dog betting. Instead, what you need to do is develop your own technique based on a combination of online gambling knowledge, understanding of the track and a true and tested strategy. To learn more, you should check out our unique strategy page. Nonetheless, if you are just getting started, then we do recommend beginning with this page, which will work as a great introduction to different bet types.

Greyhound Ante Post Betting

In simplest terms greyhound Ante Post betting refers to any bet placed before an event – such as the day before or the previous week. When we are talking about greyhounds however, we are usually talking about huge competitive events such as the English Greyhound Derby or the Irish Greyhound Derby. These events are not just one race, but feature many different heats – therefore the bettor can bet on a dog outright to reach and win the final race. Due to the sheer amount of dogs that appear in an event like this, you can get very large odds on outsized greyhounds. This is in contrast to on-the-day betting whereby someone would see what dogs were running on the day and bet on them. It is worth noting that, with most races occurring in 30 seconds or less, that live bet placement is unavailable for greyhound betting.

Greyhound Bet Types

There are a whole host of gambling terms that you should be familiar with before you get onto the pitch. The most common of them all is the single bet, while people who believe they know the outcome of several races may engage in a multiples bet. These are really the basics, while more expert bettors will engage in bets such as the forecast and trifecta bet – requiring expert precision in getting your choices right. Then if you are really one of the most intelligent bettors around, I would recommend taking advantage of quinella and exacta box bets, as well as picking three and even six bets. In this subsequent section we will explain exactly what this all means. We would recommend understanding exactly which each bet type means in order to really maximise your betting experience. Please read on what we have written below in order to get the full idea.

Expected Return from £1 Bet With All Greyhounds Priced at 2/1
Single BetDouble BetTrebleTrixie
£3£9£27£12.50

Single Bet

A single bet is really the meat and potatoes of greyhound betting. What this means is you either bet on a greyhound to win or place in the race, and if the race comes off, you will get a return on your bet. This can also be done as an either way race, which means that the first two to three dogs to cross the line in the race will still pay out. We recommend this bet if you think that just one greyhound is going to win a race but don’t know much about that. Definitely a good way to get started.

Multiples Bet

If you are a fan of winning a lot of money for just a small stake, then there’s nothing better than multiples bet, otherwise known as an accumulator. This works by timing the odds of two events together – for example a 2/1 bet and a 3/1 bet combining to become a 6/1 bet. This starts with a double, which is just two selections, before going up to treble, four-fold, five-fold and more. Most bookmakers allow this to go all the way too around fourteen or fifteen selections. By then, a simple £1 bet could net you thousands of pounds – although the likelihood of this happening is very, very small.

Forecast Bet

A forecast bet is simple; all you have to do is bet on two greyhounds. The first bet is on which one will win while the second is on which will be the runner-up. A reverse forecast is when you bet on both one greyhound to be first and the other to be second while also betting on the other greyhound to be second while the other is first. This is seen as a decent way to get a better return. We would recommend taking part in this bet if you have a strong idea of the top two runners in the race.

Trifecta Bet

A trifecta bet is similar to a forecast bet but for people with even better understanding of how the greyhounds work. This time, instead of just betting on first and second place, the punter will be betting on first, second and third place. Naturally, the odds levels for this kind of selection are rather high, making it a good choice for an intelligent bettor. A boxed trifecta bet is when the punter wins if any of the selections they pick comes first – but obviously, the payout is much lower. The first bet of this type took place in the USA in 1971 in Arlington Park.

Quinella and Exacta Box bets

A quinella bet is a bit like a forecast bet – in that you bet on the top two selections – but they can finish in either order. This actually gives you a better opportunity to get a little bit better of a payout. An exacta box usually refers to the same thing but can also be a trifecta bet that can happen in any order. These are an intelligent bet to pick because you can combine the top three rated dogs in a race in order to get a profit. This is especially good if you don’t know exactly who the winner might be but can assume how much better the top half will do.

Pick 3 Bets

Pick three bets is a simple one, usually offered for the first free races in a day. This is what happens when you bet on the winner for three races in a row. This is a classic exotic bet and should only really be used by the most seasoned of bettors. The likelihood of getting three selections correct in a row is pretty minimal, so if you do this, make sure you are only betting money you are fine with losing, or make sure that the value of the bet well outweighs any potential loss. The payouts for this kind of thing are massive.

Pick 6 Bets

Pick six bets is pretty similar to pick three bets, but instead of betting on three winners in a row – this requires you to pick a whopping six in a row. Just think of the maths. Say every winner is at odds of 2/1. If you bet just £1, this would give you a massive return of £729. This is simply a ridiculous amount – yet to be honest this requires a lot of skill to get right. You could really bet on this outcome 729 times and still get it wrong. Nonetheless, it does offer a great return for a very small investment.

Greyhound Bets Explained: Best Bet Type?

The best greyhound bets explained to the punters are those that offer an easy and appropriate betting methodology. While expert bettors can use some of the more complex bets, novice bettors are better equipped to sticking to the basics. In addition, its worth saying that there is no one bet type that will guarantee success, instead its through a combination of different bets that value could be had. In the sections below we break down what this means for different bettors.

For Expert Bettors

Expert bettors know that while a single bet to win and place still remains one of the best way to bet on greyhounds and make some money, combining different smart bets together represents some really amazing value. Therefore, expert bettors who are comfortable with long outcomes should be looking for strong outright ante post bets to create extra value and combine their bets into forecast, tricast and even pick three and pick six bets. If they are really confident they can stack up lots of different bets into a massive accumulator. As all expert bettors know, its not just about one bet, but slowly stacking up value over time.

For Novice Bettors

If you’ve just started with this sport, try to get greyhound bets explained to you in full by an expert before you begin. There is no need to start thinking you’re a bigshot and trying out some massive pick six bet accas if you don’t know the difference between the inside and outside lane. A sensible solution would be to listen to what other punters are doing, think deeply about the selection, and then doing a place bet. Its normal to stake just a little bit of money at a time and then, when you are confident, start thinking about those bigger bets. But this takes time and a lot of deep thinking about the sport.

Which Bookmaker Gives Me the Best Selection of Bet Types?

When you are betting on the greyhounds, its essential that you have a bookmaker that gives you a great flexibility with your bets. The best bookmakers know this, and give you a wide variety of bet types that cover not only the ones that we have outlined here, but also any bet that you can dream of. After a long consideration of all the different bookmakers we cover, we have found the essential betting site for you to kick off your greyhound passion. Take a look at the table we have created for you below to get started and kick off your adventures in greyhound betting.

If this seems like the bookmaker for you, then why don’t you just sign up and get an account with them today? Offering single, multiple, forecast, tricast, pick 3 and pick 6 bets, all bet types are covered by this bookmaker, giving you great value when you want to bet on greyhounds online.

Greyhound racing has a close relationship with gambling. Betting is ingrained in the dog racing culture and is largely responsible for keeping the industry alive. Learning how to bet on greyhounds online is a simple manner because the sport itself is simple. Every wager on a race somehow relates to predicting the order in which the dogs cross the finish line.

Best Greyhound Betting Sites

Betting Site
Rating

Online greyhound betting has been a lifesaver for the industry in an age where actual greyhound tracks are hard to find. Most fans live nowhere near a track and would have no way to place bets on races were it not for greyhound betting sites.

If you have an interest in betting on greyhound races but are not sure where to start, we offer a few recommendations here.

It is important to get started at a safe, regulated and reputable greyhound betting website so you can be sure you will be paid if you win.

Additionally, properly licensed dog racing betting websites usually pool all wagers with those taken at the track in order to provide you with odds that reflect the true value of every dog.

Where to Bet on Greyhound Races Online

It is no big secret that greyhound racing is in a period of decline today. Many tracks are struggling and closing.

There are still a fairly decent number of tracks in operation around the world today. However, the industry certainly faces challenges going forward.

Greyhound racing betting at online racebooks could very well be the savior of an entire industry.

Greyhound betting sites provide a boon to the troubled industry by generating interest and bringing much-needed money to struggling tracks. If it wasn’t for betting, greyhound racing would be an extremely niche sport.

There are some major greyhound racing events such as the English Derby, the Greyhound Night of Stars in the USA, and the Irish Derby.

In addition to those main events, most greyhound tracks run regular races every day. In some locations, the law actually makes it mandatory for tracks to host races every day.

Fans today enjoy the ability to bet on dog races online easily. If you don’t live near a track, that’s not a problem; you can simply place your bets online. Most sites even provide live, streaming video of races for free. All you need is an account and you watch the action live on your computer.

The traditional greyhound racing industry has a positive relationship with the online betting industry. In some places, greyhound tracks operate their own websites. In other places, racetracks work in partnership with large, respected bookmakers.

What this means is that you get the same odds online as the people get at the track. The money you bet online is pooled together with the money that is bet in person at the racing facility. This provides liquidity, bigger jackpots, and helps keep the industry alive.

Types Of Dog Racing Bets Today

Ranking and Reviewing Greyhound Betting Sites

There are two intangible qualities that hold the most sway in determining which racebooks truly deserve the title “the best.” First and most important is the safety of player funds. When you make a deposit to a greyhound betting site, you entrust the site to protect your money and give it back when you’re done.

The safety of your funds is the most basic, fundamental job of a greyhound racing betting site but that does not mean it’s a given. I have seen many greyhound betting sites come and go in my time.

The safest racebooks are those that have established themselves as legitimate, longtime providers. This is the only type of operation we recommend.

Next up is the overall quality of the racebook. This includes the safety of your funds in addition to the site’s customer support, deposit methods, promotions and usability. We’ll get into each of those next.

Customer Support

There’s more to customer support than just answering questions. Any halfway competent greyhound betting site can answer basic questions.

Real customer support is tested when player disputes and legitimate complaints arise. How a book handles difficult situations is what determines whether its customer support is worth anything.

For example, a player writing to say that a book unfairly cancelled his wager at the last minute puts customer support to the test. Does the site take his complaint seriously and address the issue or does it brush him off?

Types Of Dog Racing Bets

Even if the book determines the player’s complaint has no standing, it can still address the player with respect and explain why it is taking whatever actions it is taking.

Banking Options

A quality dog racebook makes it easy for customers to deposit and withdraw winnings. The best greyhound racing betting sites have easy-to-use deposit methods that are both fast and free.

Withdrawals are even more important, easy cashouts are mandatory. There is nothing more frustrating than dealing with a racebook that slow-pays. If a site can’t get this part right, it doesn’t get listed here – no exceptions.

Value of Promotions, Odds and Prices, Payouts and Coverage

The thinnest of margins draws the line between winning and losing punters.

Types

One of the best things you can do for your long term success is to get the most value out of every selection. This means taking advantage of promotions, getting the best odds, and choosing the best bets across a wide range of tracks and races.

Promotions, odds, and track coverage are all things we look for when ranking greyhound betting sites. The value of any one promotion doesn’t have much of an impact on a single bet, but promotions (and payout odds) have a big impact over a course of weeks, months, years and a career.

Usability and Features

Types Of Dog Racing Bets

It’s so much easier to place your bets at greyhound websites that are easy to navigate and understand.

Place enough bets at a poorly-designed racing site and you’ll eventually suffer at least a few missed opportunities and poorly-placed wagers

If you have two equal sites to choose from and one of them has an obviously superior betting interface, the decision is simple.

Regulation of Racebooks

UK and European greyhound racetracks work closely with dog racing betting sites to bring the full experience online and to mobile horse racing betting apps.

Most of the major bookmakers have agreements with local tracks that allow you to watch the races in real time on your computer or mobile device and participate in the betting pools hosted by each track.

Best Bet Dog Racing Results

The dog betting websites that we recommend are all licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

These greyhound betting websites operate in the open and most of them have long histories. If you’d like to put your handicapping skills to the test, take a look at any of our top-ranked racing betting sites. These are some of the most respected racebooks in all of Europe.

In the United States, online greyhound betting is completely legal thanks to exemptions written into anti-gambling legislation. The UIGEA in particular included a carve-out that specifically mentioned horse and dog racing.

Therefore, major US greyhound betting sites are legal.

For example, BetAmerica.com (full review here) is based out of the United States and has permission from most major tracks to show the live races in real-time online. You can even fund your account with bank-to-bank transfers and Paypal.

Greyhound Betting Regulatory Bodies

In most countries, greyhound races are overseen by a regulatory body responsible for promoting the health and integrity of the industry.

Each country has its own take on how to regulate and oversee greyhound racing, but ultimately the goal is to keep everything safe and fair for the dogs, racing teams, and fans.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) is responsible for regulating greyhound racing in the UK, while the Australian Greyhound Racing Association (AGRA) fulfils the same role in Australia. In the United States, the Greyhound Racing Association of America (GRAA) helps promote, educate and regulate the industry.

How to Bet On Greyhound Races Online

Greyhound betting very closely resembles horse racing betting. All the same types of wagers that you could place on a horse race may also be placed on a dog race and greyhound racing betting uses the parimutuel form of wagering to calculate the odds and pay winners.

The actual process of betting on greyhounds online is a simple matter of logging in to your account and choosing a track.

From there, you select the race you want, the amount to risk, the type of wager, and the dogs you want.

Types

A betting slip on the side of the screen displays a summary of your bets as you add them. When you’re all done, hit the submit button and wait for the results.

Types of Dog Racing Bets and Wagers

  • Win: A bet on a single dog to win the race straight up. You win this bet if your dog crosses the finish line first.
  • Place: This is a bet that your dog will finish in one of the top 2 places. It doesn’t matter if your dog takes first or second; you win either way.
  • Show: Pick a dog and your bet wins if that dog finishes anywhere in the top three. This bet pays less than win/place wagers because your dog only has to end up somewhere in the top three.
  • Straight Forecast (Exacta): A more difficult pick to get right, but one that pays out higher odds. In a straight forecast, you pick two dogs to take first and second place in that exact order. You only win this bet if your picks finish in 1st and 2nd in the correct order.
  • Reverse Forecast (Reversa or Quinella): Similar to the straight forecast above, but the two dogs you select can finish in any order as long as both finish in the top two.
  • Treble Forecast (Trifecta): In this bet, you pick 3 dogs to take the first 3 places in that exact order. This is a difficult bet to win, but it offers high payouts.
  • Win and Place (each-way): This is two bets on one dog. Your “win” bet is a straight up bet on the dog to take 1st place. The Place bet pays if you dog finishes anywhere in the top 2. If your dog ends up taking first place, you win both bets. If your dog takes 2nd place, you only win the Place portion of the bet.
  • Superfecta: Similar to a trifecta except this time you pick 4 dogs to take the top 4 places in that exact order.
  • Accumulator (Parlay): This is a combination of bets spread across multiple races. You place a bet on one race and if you win that bet, the winnings automatically roll over to the next bet. Successful parlays involving 3 or more races offer the promise of massive rewards.

Greyhound Handicapping Strategy

Dog races often include closely matched greyhounds taking part so it is not easy to pick a clear winner. The best approach is to understand and follow the form guide as well as you can.

It is worth trying to get an idea of each dogs’ favoured track conditions before backing a particular section. For example, the length of the race, the weather, recent performances all have an effect on how dogs perform on any given day.

Patience is another useful skill. Watch the odds, compare them to your analysis of each dog, and wait for opportunities that present a clear advantage. There is nothing wrong with sitting out a few races when you cannot identify an obvious advantage.

Getting an Advantage

Because online greyhound betting is set up in the parimutuel format, you essentially compete against the other people to win money.

Your first step in handicapping the dogs is to learn and use the racing program. This is basically the greyhound equivalent of horse racing’s “daily racing form.” You can find the program at the track and at some of the bigger racing betting sites.

The racing program is full of data about each dog, including its past recent performances, its training team, stats and more.

The Greyhound Racing Association of America has a nice guide to using the program here. Learn it and understand it.

There is an incredible wealth of handicapping information out there. It’s just a matter of making the effort to do the research.