Do you want to know the best greyhound betting strategies? Greyhound racing is fun and fast, offering a great option to sports bettors worldwide. Read our guide, which introduces you to the best greyhound betting strategies, and learn the ins and outs of greyhound betting before placing your first wager.
Greyhound racing – sometimes simply called ‘the dogs’ – is similar to horse racing in that you study form, consider the track, and pick the winning runner. Greyhounds are built for speed, producing super fast races with pulsating action.
Let’s look at the top greyhound betting strategy you can use to inform your selections, and we provide a rundown of the basics of betting on greyhound racing.
How Does Greyhound Betting Work?
Greyhound betting is similar to all other types of sports betting. You research, consider the event, participants, and odds, and place wagers based on who you think will win.
In most races of greyhounds, there are eight dogs, but some events have ten or eleven competitors, typically over 400-500 meters.
Your objective is to consider the track and research form and decide which dog will win the race. That said, several other greyhound betting options are available, as we explain below.
Types of Bets in Greyhound Racing
Below are the main options available to you if you’re keen to get started with greyhound racing this year:
Win Bets
The most straightforward wager to place on the greyhounds is a win bet. Pick the greyhound you think will win, adjust your stake, and place a bet. You will receive the respective payout if your chosen greyhound wins the race.
Place Bets
As greyhound races can be tight affairs, place bets are popular betting markets. Place bets mean you receive a return if your chosen dog finishes in the top three places. The odds are reduced, but it’s a decent option if you’re struggling to pick an outright race winner.
Each-Way Bets
As in horse racing, an each-way bet in greyhound racing is essentially two bets simultaneously. You place one bet on your chosen dog to win the race and another for them to place. If they win, you receive a full payout, but if they place, you typically receive ¼ of the payout.
Exotic Bets
If you’re keen on more sophisticated betting strategies for greyhound racing, consider the following exotic betting markets:
- Trifecta: In a trifecta wager, you must successfully bet on the first, second, and third-placed greyhound in a specific race. A boxed trifecta is also available, offering a payout if any of your three selections wins the race.
- Quinella: In a quinella bet, you need to bet on the top two finishers, but you don’t need to predict the order they will finish accurately.
- Exacta: This is very similar to a quinella, but the main difference is that you need to pick the first two runners in the correct finishing order.
Greyhound Betting Strategy: Reading and Analyzing Form Guides
Whether you’re a seasoned greyhound bettor or a newcomer to this type of wager, research is critical. Form guides are available for greyhound racing, detailing recent and past winners and their odds, injuries, and other details that can inform your betting strategy.
You should always analyze form guides before betting on a greyhound race to prepare you for the runners competing, even if you have a good feeling about a particular greyhound.
Equally as important to check is the track condition and how well-suited specific runners are to different circuits. Races for greyhounds are on sand, dirt, and synthetic tracks, which can impact a dog’s speed. Therefore, you should check the surface before the race and consider which dogs are better suited to each surface.
Generally, sand tracks are heavy to run on, suiting nimbler, lighter dogs.
In addition to the track surface, consider the race distance and whether your chosen dog has a proven record of winning over this specific distance. A difference of just 100m can make a huge impact. Put the form and performance guides to good use before betting.
Key Factors Influencing Greyhound Race Outcomes
Before choosing a greyhound race to bet on, do your research and consider the following factors that may influence the outcome:
Track Conditions
- Sand tracks are commonly used for greyhound races. They help the dogs absorb shock, reducing the risk of injury. However, they’re heavier to run on and may result in slower race times.
- Synthetic tracks are durable and require low maintenance, so they’re popular among racetrack owners. They’re also less susceptible to bad weather, meaning fewer postponements.
- Dirt tracks: Greyhound racing on dirt tracks tend to produce the quickest times, but they can become sticky and muddy in wet conditions, potentially leading to injury.
Greyhound Betting Strategy: Form and Fitness
The winning frequency of a greyhound is the primary determinant of the dog’s price at an upcoming race. Also, how frequently they finish in the top three and how fast their times are will also impact their odds.
Fitness and health are vital, so check for recent or ongoing injuries. Younger dogs below 2.5 years old are at their peak, while older dogs tend to come with longer odds.
Trainer and Kennel Form
Like in racing for horses, the trainer’s expertise will make a big difference to the outcome of a greyhound race. Past success and specialties should be considered.
For instance, some trainers and kennels specialize in different breeds, so choosing dogs from a kennel with a proven track record will improve your chances of winning your bet.
Winning at Greyhound Betting
So, what betting systems should you employ for your best chances of winning a greyhound bet? Here are some ideas to consider:
Spread Betting
Greyhound spread betting is when you bet on several outcomes (a spread) in a single race. It’s best to use a spread betting exchange to calculate and place this type of wager, as it can be tricky to price the bet independently.
Specializing in Certain Races
The two main types of races for greyhound are graded and open events. In graded events, six to eight evenly matched dogs compete based on time trials, injury history, and past performance, usually resulting in tighter finishes.
Conversely, open events are the most prestigious races with higher stakes, more experienced greyhounds, and greater competition. There are often more betting options and enhanced markets for open events.
Within each type of race are sprints, standard races, and long-distance races, so narrow your betting system to focus on one race as you gain experience with greyhound betting.
Value Betting
In a value bet, the probability of an outcome is greater than the bookmaker’s odds reflect. In other words, it’s a great way to profit. The problem is that value betting can be challenging to identify, meaning that this is a betting system best suited to experienced gamblers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Greyhound Betting
Finally, here are a few common mistakes to avoid as you prepare to bet on the dogs:
- Betting without research: All successful betting systems require research, so don’t just pick dogs based on their names, numbers, or feelings you have! Always do research before making your selections.
- Chasing losses: Winning betting systems are built on responsible gambling. So, decide how much to wager, set your limits, and stick to them. Don’t be tempted to chase your losses.
- Overlooking Track Conditions: The track and weather conditions significantly impact greyhound betting markets. Always check the conditions before placing your bets and consider how they will impact the race’s outcome.
Use Your Greyhound Betting Systems at EVO.io Today
You’re now all set to implement your chosen greyhound betting strategy. Remember to research forms and injuries and consider the course and weather conditions before placing a wager.
You can bet on greyhound racing online at EVO.io today. Visit our homepage, create an account, and deposit to bet on the dogs.