As someone who discusses horse racing on a blog, talks about betting systems, and provides a horse racing handicapping service, it will not surprise you to hear that I’m often asked for tips. Most of my friends know what I do for a living, and when we are down the pub, out on a cycle ride, or even if I’m stood at school of an afternoon to pick up the boys and I bump into one of the other school Dads, the topic of conversation will invariably turn to “got any tips for tomorrow?”
Whilst I have never been too comfortable giving hard and fast tips on individual races, I have always been happy to offer some general advice that can produce more winners and reduce the number of avoidable losing bets. I believe sensible strategic advice is something you can charge for, but I’m afraid I don’t have the confidence to ask people for money for my opinion as a professional tipster.
That said, these tips are the top three that I have learned in more than 10 years battling against the bookmakers, and latterly the exchange players. You may well disagree with the meritable order of them, and perhaps you will consider some ‘golden rules’ of your own more important. That of course is your opinion, and as you know, all opinions are most welcome here at SkyBlueKangaroo.com.
These three tips are the most important to me, and I owe each a debt of gratitude for helping me gain just the slightest of edges when playing the horses.
TOP TIP #1 First up, and Tip Number One is actually about life. Trying to earn a living at the races is tough, real tough. Whilst betting on horse racing can be great fun, especially when at the track, and with some sound strategies and the help of a following wind even profitable, it can also be soul destroying and an emotional drain. If you do it month in, month out for a living, it can also be boring at times. In reality, working hard to come out ahead by betting on horses is a million miles from the millionnaire lifestyle portrayed by “those” betting system sellers. Sorry if it isn’t as glamorous as you thought, but that’s the way it is. I still love handicapping horse races and playing them for profit, and I couldn’t go back to a ‘proper job’. And that’s assuming someone would be insane enough to employ me! It’s crucial you love what you do, otherwise you would struggle to succeed long term.
TOP TIP #2 Next, and Tip Number Two is about playing the horses in general. You will NEVER ever beat the races. But you CAN succeed, one race at a time, and one bet at a time. Horse race handicapping and betting on horses is an intellectual challenge, so it’s crucial you choose the races you play carefully, and pay attention to the many factors that can affect the outcome of a race. You would be wise to get into the habit of approaching each race on its individual merits, but learn to keep the big picture in mind as well. Each and every race is important, but remain emotionally detached and refrain from going on tilt when you lose a bet. If a race doesn’t pan out how you expected, you need to accept this will always happen, and you will never be right every time. The very best professional punters lose many of their bets.
I often motivate myself through a bad patch by thinking about the sport of baseball, in particular, batting averages. More often than not, even the very best major league baseball players fail to hit the ball when they step up to the plate. In fact, a player with a 0.333 average will be considered “good” even though they only hit the ball once every three attempts! Think about it, he fails twice as much as he succeeds, and he is considered “good” at what he does! You will also lose more than you win, but the trade secret is to win enough times, at the right prices, to make a profit, and that brings me to Tip Number Three.
TOP TIP #3 Tip Number Three concerns value betting and paying attention to what horses are paying to win. Have the discipline to shop for value odds on your chosen horse and never be consumed by the form of a horse to the exclusion of all else. No matter how much you might think your selection cannot lose given its figures, horses with outstanding form compared to their rivals still lose races. If your choice is your top rated and has a 50% chance of winning, you must still get better than odds of evens to make money on it. The ability to manage your money and your understanding of the financial side of betting and winning is a critical factor to your success, because if you lose all your money, your skills in race prediction will be academic.
I hope you find some value in each of these tips, but what is your one ‘Golden Rule’ when it comes to betting? Let me know your thoughts and leave a comment below.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Back in 1958 or 9 I needed a pound to take out my date Yvonne. I had 2 shillings so I went into Ladbrokes and bet it on the next race, a 10/1 outsider called Blue….. It won after a photo finish and I had a great night out with her. Trouble is, that success has cost me thoousands over the next 50 odd years. But I am still chasing that edge. LOL
Hi Mike, welcome to the blog. What I want to know is, are you still chasing Yvonne?
follow your instincts, domnt play at less than evens and look for value 2nd favs in 5-7 horse races were they are priced at 5/1 or more. This can produce good profits over time. Although avoid chases at 2 mile 4 plus for this rule.
Follow handicaps with 10 or more runners on the flat, were any of the horses in the top 3 of the wieghts have finished placed or better in there last 3 races back the biggest piced if more than one, each way.
REGARDS
Gerry
Outstanding post and three very good tips. The more I learn, the more I realise there is no guaranteed system. Tipping is something where regret is a massive part of it and unless you deal with this you will never succeed.