Taking Down The Racebook: A Beginner’s Guide To Horserace Betting

If you got all caught up in the excitement of I’ll Have Another’s back-to-back wins leading up to a potential Triple Crown win (which was squashed by an injury), you’re like most sports bettors. And that’s probably true even if you’ve never bet on horse races before.

But we get it. Even if you’ve never followed along with online horse race betting—even if you have no idea how betting on horses work—you’re tempted by the potential of big wins.

Before you hit an online betting site for some offtrack betting, we’ve got some tips to help you keep more money in your pocket with every gallop, every neck-and-neck, and every photo finish.

Follow your favorites

People who bet on baseball follow things like batting averages, standings, and all sorts of records related to individual players and entire teams. Betting on Horses is no different. Keep track of individual horses, their trainers, and their jockeys. Look at past results to see what type of winning history they have, and then use the information to bet wisely.

Focus on a single track

If you’re starting out, we recommend focusing on a particular track instead of spreading your bets over multiple tracks. Staying focused will help you understand the nuances of the track and how horses usually perform under the conditions of a certain track.

Save your bets until the end of the season

If you’re serious about betting on horses, we recommend waiting until the end of the season to place your serious bets. But that doesn’t mean you should walk away and tune out during the start of the season. Instead, do the opposite. Pay attention to what’s unfolding on the track and pretend to place bets using imaginary money. Once the end of the season rolls around, you’ll have more confidence to bet for real.

Choose a site that will help you win more money

Not all racebooks are created equal. Before you deposit at a random site, check the odds first. And watch out for promotions that might seem too good to be true. Many racebooks offer big incentives like 100% match bonuses, but these usually come with unrealistic restrictions. A good site offers simple, unrestricted bonuses. Sports Betting Online gives you 10% cash back every week, and that’s true whether you win or lose. Look for a deal like that and you’ll win more money, right out of the gate.