If you want to find the best odds for horse races, you should never look in one place. Prices can often vary between bookmakers, exchanges and at the racecourse, and these small differences can matter in the long term. Odds are essentially indicative of what a horse’s chance of success is, and the value of a bet will be boosted if a higher price than the wider market or Starting Price (SP) is secured.
Online Bookmakers Lead The Way
Nowadays, most punters will look online first for the best price. Major online sportsbooks update their markets constantly, with many offers built around early prices, an enhanced number of places, and Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) on selected races. That matters because horse racing betting online makes it much easier to compare prices offered by several bookmakers instantly, rather than taking the first price that comes along.
Value At Betting Exchanges
Exchanges are another popular option, especially for more experienced bettors. Unlike a traditional sportsbook, an exchange pits punters against each other, which can lead to better prices. Users can log on at an exchange and back or lay a selection, with prices formed by the market itself rather than trading teams behind a traditional bookmaker. This can make exchanges the ideal place for value hunters.
Don’t Forget About The Racecourse
Betting at the racecourse still has its place. On-course bookmakers will occasionally post standout prices, especially in the build-up to races when they’re reacting to money being taken live, local support and the atmosphere at the track. You can often find great odds at a racecourse, but they’re prone to changing quickly. If you happen to be at a meeting at the track, check a few of the boards before placing a bet rather than walking to the closest bookmaker.
Forums And Social Media For Signals
Online forums and social media platforms have grown massively in popularity in the last decade, but they’re arguably better used as information sources than they are to blindly follow tips. These platforms are useful when it comes to spotting movement in the market, hearing whispers from yards, finding out about going changes and discussion around the value of selections. There are a lot of tipsters active on forums and social media, but rather than listening to their big claims, judge them based on their results.
Ante-Post Markets Can Provide The Purest Value
Ante-post betting is where real value lies, according to many experienced punters. By placing bets well in advance of a race, you’ll be securing prices before form, going conditions and recent results come into the picture. However, there does come a risk, and that is that in most cases, stakes placed on ante-post selections are generally lost if the horse doesn’t run in the race. So, it’s a true test of finding the balance between risk and reward.
Conclusion
You can often secure the best odds by following a simple routine: compare prices online, check the prices on the exchange, keep an eye on what’s moving if you’re at a racecourse and see what forums and social media are saying. Once you get into a routine of checking prices offered in various places, you’ll be in a great position to secure the best odds every time. It’s also worth being across bookmaker’s offers too, as they can provide value via BOG and extra places.