It is great when a racecourse throws open its doors to the general public and you get to take a sneak peek at the amazing world of sport firsthand. For fans of horse racing, it becomes an opportunity to experience the races from the comfort of your living room and to place a wager on the outcome. While nothing quite compares to being there in person, being able to place a bet on the races as they happen is the next best thing. Unfortunately, getting down to the races and placing a bet can be rather difficult for the average Joe so today we will discuss some of the best ways to make your own night at the races. We will cover everything from how to get the tickets to what you need to do to make sure you have a good time regardless of the outcome of the races. Let’s get started.
The Ticket
The first and perhaps most important step is to get the tickets. If you live in the UK you can get regular priced tickets from a variety of ticketing websites. It is usually best to purchase them in advance to avoid disappointment as lots of people struggle to get into the popular events anyway. You can also try the tony tattooworld forums where you can find contacts for ticket brokers and individual seats for sale if the events aren’t sold out already. Once you have the tickets it’s time to move on to the next step.
The Drinks
The next step is to get the drinks ready. For someone who is driving or walking it’s good to have a few cans of beer in the fridge to keep the cold out and a nice selection of soft drinks available for all. If you are planning on going to the pub before the races start you could also consider buying a six pack and keeping it in the fridge for the entire duration. It’s easy for someone to get drunk and ruin your night if you don’t stick to soft drinks and beers, so be sure to keep a close eye on what your companion is drinking.
The food is also important. If you are going to the pub beforehand then getting some food beforehand is advisable. This will give you an energy boost to keep up with the pace of the day. After the pub visit it’s good to sit down with a light meal to give your stomach a break from all the beer and pizza you’ve eaten throughout the day. If you aren’t particularly hungry then having a high calorie snack will help you avoid feeling too sleepy during the later stages of the evening. This way you can keep up with the horses and have fun betting on the outcome.
The Location
The location is important too. Most importantly, you need a place to watch the races. If you live in Ireland you can obtain a free dedicated sports channel through your cable provider. You can watch the races live or on delayed playback as you please and there is no additional charge for this service. Other countries will need to purchase a package of sports channels in order to enjoy similar services. If you have a large screen television or a projector then you can also use it to its fullest potential by showing films and videos from around the world of sport. It isn’t always easy to find a quality projector in a cinema, but there are still a few places left that offer one for hire if you know where to look.
Aside from this, finding a comfortable place to sit is another important factor. You don’t want to sit on a soft chair that will soon be ruined by your companion’s incessant jostling for the remote control. Find a nice spot on the floor or a hard surface such as a kitchen stool or an old school desk. If it’s still winter then a wood floor is the best choice as it will stay cool even under direct sunlight and stay warmer than any other surface during the night. If possible, try to avoid areas near exits as people may bother you while exiting and it’s always better to be moving around less than necessary in order to stay entertained and comfortable.
The Entertainment
Now we get into the fun part which is to keep up with the races. There are many ways to do this and perhaps the simplest one is to follow one of the top rated sports betting sites and use their APIs to get the latest odds and news about the upcoming races. It’s important to note that these sites aren’t designed for people to simply bet on the horses but they offer a wide range of sports including horse racing which is easily accessible to anyone. It’s important to keep an eye on the time as well because the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be able to finish. This way you can get some rest before the next day’s activities and ward off the morning mists. If you are a hardcore fan then you can find a way to watch all the races in their entirety by setting up a DIY tv screen in your living room using an inexpensive Raspberry Pi, a few hard drives and a projector. This is the ultimate in entertainment and you don’t need to be near a TV in order to use it. You would need to use a VPN to keep your personal data secure while doing this so be sure to use a reputable provider.
Make Sure You Practice
It’s important to practice before the big day so that you can keep up with the routines and don’t get distracted by little things. This is why it’s important to get the drinks and snacks ready as soon as possible as things can get pretty hectic once the races start. It’s also important to practice taking bets as this will help you stay focused during the actual event. Remember to use your mobile phone’s flashlight to aid you during these exercises as it will be hard to see what you’re doing if the lights aren’t on. It’s also wise to get some caffeine injections a couple of hours before the event to give your heart rate some boost so that it doesn’t slow down during the evening. This will help you stay awake and alert during the event. It’s also important to hydrate well in advance as dehydration can lead to impaired judgment and fatigue which can cause you to make careless mistakes.
What If The Race Ends Early?
If the race ends early then it’s an opportunity to make some money from our endeavor. Most of the time early finishes mean that there is no payout offered so you’ll have to wait until the next race to get your winnings. This can be a pain in the arse if you’ve just spent all that time and effort waiting for the race to start. Keep some money aside in case of an early finish and try and make the most of it. If you do happen to win something then it’s acceptable to celebrate a little bit before the next race so you don’t ruin the evening.
What If The Weather Interferes?
Unfortunately, bad weather can ruin any sporting event despite the best efforts of the venue and the individuals involved. Although it is often easier to watch a sport indoors, there is still a large percentage of the population who enjoy their sport best when it’s played outside. If the weather is bad then it can be difficult to have a good time watching the races especially if you are far away from a TV. You might want to consider going to the pub beforehand and waiting for the weather to improve.
As with any other big day, bad weather can and will affect the outcome of the events so it’s important to be prepared for all eventualities. If you have an iPhone then you can download the Watch app from the App Store and follow all the major racehorses as they arrive at their respective stables throughout the year. This can be a great way to keep up with all the latest news regarding the different horses without having to stay glued to the TV all evening. It’s also wise to keep a close eye on the weather as even the slightest change can drastically alter the entire day’s outcome. If you are heading to the track then be sure to check the weather beforehand to make sure it’s going to be fair and if not then you should probably rethink your plans.
Take Care of Little Things
These are all the little things that can make a difference. Some people like their pets around them when they watch TV so it’s good to have them nearby in case something happens. It’s also wise to keep an eye on the kitchen and refreshments throughout the day in case someone gets hungry or thirsty. It’s also important to make sure that your companion is well-behaved and quiet during the event as it won’t be hard for someone to distract you if they are acting up. This can ruin your evening if you aren’t careful so it’s important to keep your guard up at all times. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to leave if they are troubling you or ask someone to be quiet if there is someone else around who can’t keep their mouth shut. You can also ask the person sitting next to you to move if they are constantly jostling for the remote control or if they’re sending out waves of nausea with their constant fidgeting.