If you’re looking for an easy way to play the ponies, you’ve come to the right place. The handicap system was designed to make betting simpler and more convenient for the average punter, and that’s why it’s such a popular way to play the ponies. Let’s explore how to bet even money in a handicap race using examples from real races, like the Kentucky Derby.
The Basics of Handicapping
Before you place your first bet on a horse race, it’s important to understand a few basics about how to bet the ponies. The first and most fundamental rule of betting on horses is this: always bet on a horse that you understand. It may seem obvious to you, but a surprisingly large number of people get into trouble by simply picking a horse at random and expecting it to run well. This is the kind of beginner’s mistake that can get you into a lot of trouble, even when you’re playing with house money. Even if you think that a certain horse is going to run well, it can never be guaranteed, so you need to take the risk out of the equation.
Another important point to make is that the farther the race goes, the more it means to win. Even in a handicap system, there is still a definite point towards winning the race. To give you an idea of how far the Kentucky Derby is, it is more than 11⁄2 miles (21⁄2 kilometers) from start to finish! That’s a long way to go just to win a couple of dollars.
These rules will guide you in the right direction and help you avoid many of the pitfalls that plague less experienced poker players. While the handicap system was designed with the average punter in mind, it can be very useful for experts as well. If you want to bet high-stakes, you can use a similar system but with some slight modifications to suit your needs. Just remember: always bet on a horse that you understand.
How to Place a Handicap Bet
Now that you understand the basics of handicapping, let’s explore how to place a bet in this exciting betting style. To place a handicap bet, you will need a handicap card (these are available for free from the organizations that regulate sporting events, like the OTB). If you don’t have one yet, don’t worry – you can either wait until the end of the next race (if it’s still running) or you can ask a friend or co-worker to pick one up for you. (This is usually done by having the person placing the bet write down their selection on a piece of paper and handing it to the person who is drawing the cards, so that they can put it in the proper order.)
Once you have your handicap card in your hand, it’s time to place your first bet. Remember: always bet on a horse that you understand. In most places, you will have to specify whether you want to bet on a straight-ahead winner or on a handicap winner. Once you make that decision, it’s time to place your first bet. (This is typically done by either pulling a handle or pressing a button on the inside of the race card.)
Once the race starts and the action gets busy, it can be hard to keep up with what’s going on. If you’re not used to betting on horse races, it may be hard to place straight-ahead bets in a timely manner. The solution?: use the ATM. Most ATMs will allow you to set a maximum amount that you’re prepared to bet, so you don’t have to worry about running out of funds if the pace picks up. When that happens, it’s often because the previous owner or holder of the card froze up in fear – frozen credit cards are the worst! Don’t let that happen to you.
When placing your bet, you will need to determine how much you want to bet. You will have to use a calculator or your head, since the bookies don’t typically give away free calculators. Since you have to use a little mathematics, it may be a good idea to take a quick peek at How to Use a Calculator. Remember: always bet on a horse that you understand.
After you’ve determined the amount of the bet, you can either press “Bet” or “Check” on your phone’s keypad, or you can opt to type in the amount on the keypad. If you decide to type in the amount, make sure that you type it correctly. One of the most common mistakes made by beginning bettors is accidentally entering the wrong amount, which then leads to problems when it comes time to cash out. In the world of online sports betting, this is known as “betting to win,” which is actually a losing proposition.]
Cash Out
Now that you have some experience under your belt, let’s examine how to cash out – that is, how to get your winnings. To cash out, you will need to send a text message to the cell phone number that was given to you when you made the initial deposit. Alternatively, you can call the number and give the credit card that you used at the time of the deposit. As soon as you send the cash out text or call the credit card company and ask for a withdrawal, you will be told the amount that you’re entitled to. In some cases, you may have to wait a day or two before the money is officially yours.
Handicapping is a very simple and straightforward betting style. As long as you follow the basic rules – always bet on a horse that you understand and don’t bet unless you have at least a 50% chance of winning – you’re going to be able to enjoy some excellent sports betting experiences. Of course, it would be best if you choose a game that you’re familiar with, but even if you’re not, as long as you follow the basics, you’re going to be able to enjoy yourself and make some decent money too.