Greyhound racing, of which there are two forms, is an organised, competitive sport in which greyhounds are raced around a track. The first, most popular form is track racing which is usually held at an oval racetrack and the second is coursing.
Track racing makes use of an artificial lure that travels ahead of the dogs on a rail until the greyhounds cross the finish line, while coursing makes use of a stuffed lure which is chased around an open field.
Much like with horseracing, betting on greyhound racing is incredibly popular and thanks to online sports betting, greyhound racing betting is more accessible than ever before.
A Brief History of Greyhound Racing
The first recorded attempt at greyhound racing on a straight track took place alongside the Welsh Harp reservoir in Hendon, England in 1876, but the experiment was unsuccessful and it did not develop further. Then, in 1912, the artificial or mechanical lure was invented by Owen Patrick Smith and greyhound racing emerged in its recognisable form.
Smith opened the first professional greyhound racetrack with stands in Emeryville, California in 1919, which led the way to pari-mutuel betting during the 1930s. The sport spread to the United Kingdom in the late 1920s and eventually to much of the world.
The Various Greyhound Racing Betting Types
The types of bets available on greyhound racing are near-identical to those available on horse racing and there are plenty to choose from – just like online pokies NZ!
Win: the most popular of all, perfect for beginners. Simply place a wager on the greyhound you believe will take 1st place.
Place: a wager placed on the selected greyhound to finish in 1st or 2nd place.
Show: a wager placed on the selected greyhound to finish in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place.
Exacta: a wager placed on 2 selected greyhounds to finish in 1st and 2nd place in the exact order.
Quinella: a wager placed on 2 selected greyhounds to finish in 1st and 2nd place in any order.
Trifecta: a wager placed on 3 selected greyhounds to finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in any order.
Superfecta: a wager placed on 4+ greyhounds to finish in the first 4 positions in exact order.
Top Tips for Greyhound Racing Betting Success
Now that you understand how greyhound racing works and the different bet types to choose from, you’ll be able to place your first wager! However, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind to put you on track for success.
- Always bet online: online sportsbooks offer the best odds and the widest range of markets
- Know your market: you don’t need to become a greyhound racing expert, but you need to do your research ahead of putting money down
- Set a budget and stick to it: you should never bet more than you can afford on greyhound betting and you should never chase losses
- Keep calm: don’t let your emotions get in the way of placing an intelligent bet