If you want to know how to bet on greyhound racing, you are in the right place. Betting on the dogs is very popular in the UK and other parts of the world. It provides punters with a very authentic betting experience. Moreover, it offers a wonderful, cheap and fun day or evening out. Additionally, it is simpler and easier to understand than horse racing, while the races also come thicker and faster, with shorter gaps.
Is Greyhound Betting Legal in the UK?
Before you learn how to bet on greyhound dogs, you might well ask yourself if it is legal to do so. In the UK, you can bet on dogs at the track or online as long as you are at least 18 years old. Fully legal UK betting sites require a licence from the UKGC (UK Gambling Commission).
Understanding Greyhound Racing Basics
Greyhound racing’s glory days were in the 1940s and 1950s. However, it remains popular and is the sixth-biggest spectator sport in the UK. There are 19 officially licensed tracks. All of these are oval circuits, although unlicensed events may be run on a straight course.
Distances vary across the UK and between licensed and unlicensed tracks. However, in general, sprints are around 200m to 300m (metres), middle distance races are 380m to 550m, and stayers’ events are 590m to 740m. Marathons range from around 800m to over 1,000m. Like horse racing, greyhound racing is also divided by grade, running from A1 at the top down to A12.
Dogs begin each race in a numbered trap. These are generally one to six, with each having a fixed colour. This makes it easy to identify your pick. Some races, however, may feature up to eight dogs.
Understanding Greyhound Betting Odds
Greyhound odds work the same way as all betting odds. Traditional UK bookies use fractional odds. For example, a greyhound might be 4/6, and another might be 4/1. The number on the left is the profit you would make from a stake the size of the number on the right.
Broadly speaking, the odds reflect the chances a dog has. Generally, a 4/6 shot has a much better chance of winning than a 4/1 selection. When you bet on a greyhound, you can take the price when you make the bet. Alternatively, you can use the SP (Starting Price). Essentially, these are the odds when the race begins.
Common Greyhound Bet Types Explained
When it comes to how to bet greyhound racing, things are simpler than in many sports. There are fewer markets, and many beginners stick to the simplest.
- Win – simply bet on a dog to win a race.
- Each-way – usually pays a quarter of the odds for a top two.
- Forecast – a popular bet on which dogs will be first and second.
- Tricast – as above, but for the first three. Both bets have to be in the right order, but a reverse covers any order.
- Tote – pool betting does not use fixed odds.
- Accumulators – “accas” involve multiple selections in different races into one bet.
How Each-Way Betting Works in Greyhound Racing
Each-way betting in greyhound racing uses the same principle as in other sports. Your bet is two in one, with one stake on the dog to win and another on it to place at a fraction of the odds. Consequently, £10 each-way costs £20. Generally, each-way is not available if there are fewer than five dogs. In races with five to seven dogs, bets cover first and second, and pay a quarter of the odds. If eight dogs run, you get the first three places and a fifth of the normal odds.
For example, let’s imagine you bet £2 each-way on an outsider at 8/1 in a six-dog contest. If it finishes third or worse, you lose £4. If it wins, you get £2 x 8 = £16 (for the win), plus £2 x 2 for the place, plus your £4 stake back. However, if it finishes second, you just get the place winnings and the £2 place stake.
Step-by-Step: How to Place a Greyhound Racing Bet
Follow these simple steps to place a greyhound bet:
- Select the race (use the sport tabs/menu or the search tool).
- Click on the odds of the dog you want to back.
- Alternatively, click SP.
- Add further selections for a forecast or tricast, or more in other races for an acca.
- Move to the betting slip.
- Select the wager type (single, each-way, forecast, etc).
- Enter your stake.
- Check the selections, race, total stake and market.
- Confirm the bet.
Reading a Greyhound Racecard
Reading a racecard can be confusing to those who barely know how to bet on greyhound racing. However, it is simple once you understand the basics. At the top, you usually see the main, basic info. Generally, this tells you the race number, time, distance and grade. On the left, you have the trap number. To the right of that, you have the dog’s name, then the owner and trainer. Additionally, you can then see further info about the past performance of each runner. This includes what type of race it was, the date, how they fared and other important information.
Beginner Tips for Greyhound Betting
Beginners looking for how to bet on greyhound racing tips should focus on understanding the dogs first. Watch a few races first before betting, and make sure you understand what is going on. Moreover, once you do start to bet, begin with very small stakes. As with all gambling, avoid chasing losses.
It is important to understand the significance of the draw. Dogs are assigned a trap at random. Trap 1 starts on the inside and generally has an advantage, especially in shorter races. However, certain dogs favour certain traps. The presence of vacant traps should also be noted as an advantage for adjacent runners. Lastly, be aware that the odds generally reflect the draw, at least to a degree.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now you know how to bet on greyhound racing, it is important to know what not to do. First, we advise against betting based only on the name of a dog. Betting should be fun, so if that is all you care about, then that is okay. However, if you are trying to win, you should study the form. Moreover, pay careful attention to the draw. Ignoring the starting trap of a runner is a big mistake.
Additionally, standard tips apply to greyhound racing. If you have a few winners, do not get overconfident or complacent. Keep your stakes small until you are certain you have not just been lucky. Moreover, be careful about placing accas and other multiples. You might think that betting on three dogs at 1/6 “can’t lose”, but big favourites get beaten frequently in sport.
In-Play Betting on Greyhounds
In-play betting is limited in greyhound racing. Many races are very short, with sprints often run in under 20 seconds. Some bookies do offer in-play betting, particularly on longer races. However, we would advise against live betting on dogs. For most punters, especially beginners, it is too risky and too volatile.
FAQ
What does “each-way” mean in greyhound betting?
Most each-way bets on the dogs are for first or second at ¼ of the odds. If there are fewer than five dogs, there are no each-way options.
What is the difference between fixed odds and SP?
With fixed odds, your price is set when you place the bet. This is good if you expect the odds to shorten. However, with the SP, authorities determine the odds after the race has begun.
What is a tricast bet?
A tricast involves picking the three dogs that will finish first, second and third, in the right order. A reverse tricast requires more stakes but covers any order.
What is the safest bet in greyhound racing?
Greyhound betting is unpredictable, and like all gambling, there are no guaranteed winners. However, a safe bet is one you can afford to lose!
What happens if a greyhound is withdrawn or a race is void?
It will depend on the circumstances, but generally, if owners or officials withdraw a dog, you get your stake back. The same applies if a race is void.