Many of you may know that I enjoy betting on the horses. I have been doing this for years, and it has always been a hobby. It started out as a way for me to unwind after working hard all day, and now I think of it as a great way to learn more about the sport. I have always enjoyed taking a punt on a horse or two, and over the years I have amassed a small collection of tips, tricks, and secrets to help me win more often than I lose.
I always felt that there was a lot more insight that could be gained from watching the races than from just betting on them. Now that we are on the verge of the summer racing season, I thought it would be a good idea to catch up with the people who work the track, so that I can get some tips from them on how to maximize my bet-winning chances.
Tips From The Jockey’s Box
I was fortunate enough to be in contact with a number of the jockeys who work the track this year, and I asked them for some tips on how to bet successfully. Here are their top five suggestions:
1. Watch The Entire Race
I always feel that if I know more about the horse or the jockey, then I can make better betting decisions. The best advice that I was given was to simply stay away from racing with a lot of outside distractions like TVs or mobile phones. The main distraction should be your fellow customers and the people walking around the track, enjoying themselves as much as you are. If you find that your mind is completely taken up with other things during the race, then it may be a sign that you are making the wrong decisions and should reconsider your betting patterns.
2. Study The Form
Another important tip came from a jockey who refers to himself as Mr. Fix-it. He told me to study the form of the horse before making any kind of bet, especially if the horse is running on the outside. He said that you can never understand a horse’s true ability until you have watched it run a number of times, and that even then, you may not understand it completely. He also said that a horse’s form changes from one racing to the next, and that it is often difficult to know what to expect unless you have seen the horse previously.
3. Use Your Nose
A jockey referred to as Mr. Smiley gave me a tip that I found useful, namely to use my nose. He said that if you can smell something fishy, then it usually means that the odds are stacked against you. He also suggested that if you are consistently losing money, then it may be a good idea to leave the track for a while. However, if you are still having fun with the hobby, then continue watching and learning.
4. Know The Difference Between Luck And Skill
An off-track better, who goes by the name of Captain Jack once told me that if you put in the right amount of work, then you will surely attain some level of skill. He said that over time, you will learn when to run your bets and how to read the odds, and that eventually, you will start winning more often than you lose. He also said that the key to success is knowing the difference between luck and skill, and using the former to your advantage, but avoiding the latter if you want to keep your shirt.
5. Watch What Others Are Doing
Finally, I spoke with a jockey who goes by the name of General Leisure, and he gave me some tips on how to read the odds and which races to avoid betting on. He said that often, people will try to sell you a “greatest hits” package for some big race coming up, but that you should always stay away from those kinds of races. He said that the best strategy is to find the races that others are not so eager to bet on, and that you should consider those the best bets of the day. He also said to keep your eyes open for any unusual activity that others may be involved in, as this can give you an indication of whether or not they are trying to con you. He said that you should be on the lookout for anything suspicious, and that if you see someone acting strangely, then it may be a good idea to walk away from the table.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to become a better bettor, and give you the edge you need to start winning more often than you lose. Remember, it is all about knowing how to use your head and how to take advantage of the situation, and you should always do your best to avoid being in a situation where you cannot control the odds. If you keep this up, then you will surely start seeing the results you want, and you will be able to call yourself a successful bettor.