Greyhound Racing: What is it and how do you bet on it
Dog races are perceived as exotic. The leader in popularity of these competitions is, perhaps, in the UK, where there are more than 50,000 races a year, and the volume of bets on dog competitions are second only to soccer and horse racing.
Dog races are also popular in Australia, Ireland, USA and other countries. Historically, these spectacular sporting events interests were fueled by cash rates. Therefore, in today's world, online bookmakers cannot ignore dog racing. In many countries, this sport is not very popular, but, nevertheless, some do have an interest in betting on it. Therefore, we will explain the basics and what to pay attention to and give small tips on how to bet on dog racing.
How did the dog races come about?
For hound dogs the instinct of persecution and hunting is natural. Over time, hunting became expensive and aristocratic, and in some countries was forbidden. England became the originator of the new sport, compensating for the original competition of ex-communication of greyhounds and other hunting breeds of dogs from the natural need to chase game.
Thus, field samples of hound breeds were transformed into modern dog races. A live target in the form of a fox or rabbit has been replaced by a mechanical hare. At the beginning of the 20th century, the optimal trajectory for the upgraded model of the mechanical hare was a circle or an oval. Therefore, the tracks on which dog races were held were born. In 1926, the British Hounds Association was established in Manchester. The chance to earn, betting on one of the hounds, attracted more and more spectators to the races. The fame of dog races has spread throughout the UK. In 1927 alone, more than 40 tracks were launched there.
Rules of running in dog races
The essence of the competition is simple. Six hound dogs run after a mechanical hare on the oval-shaped track. The winner is the greyhound that crosses the finish line first. To record the results of the race, the judges use photo finishing, where the dog's nose is taken into account, and the position of the paws do not matter. Prizes are set for the first three places.
Dogs begin the race from six numbered boxes, which in English terminology are called the trap or start. Boxes, or trades, are numbered from the inside of the track from one to six. Numbers - the numbers of the tread are painted in different colours: 1st - red, 2nd - blue, 3rd - white, 4th - black, 5th - orange, 6th - striped black and white.
Distribution of dogs in boxes matters. It is defined by lot by considering the needs of a particular dog, based on its manner of running. Some dogs are used to running closer to the inside of the track, others - in the middle, and others - on the outside of the track. If the greyhound, accustomed to running on the outside of the track, is instead running from the first boxing, then when trying to take its usual place in the course of running, it will cross the trajectory of other dogs. The same will happen if a dog who is used to running on the inside of the track starts in the sixth boxing. These features should be understood.
Classification and race categories
Dog races are held at different distances. Races can have different levels of difficulty (with obstacles) and are divided into classes.
A-class is the most common type of races at a distance of 380 to 520 m. This popular class is subdivided into subclasses: From A1 to A3 are top races in which the average speed of dogs reaches 39 miles per hour. From A4 to A6 is the middle class of races, where the average speed of hounds is about 38 miles per hour. The A7-A11 is the lowest subclass with an average dog speed of 35-37 mph.
- D - Class - minimum distance races or sprints - from 200 to 300 m.
- Classes S, M, I, E - "Slayer," 575 to 1800 m.
- H - Class - hurdles.
- HP - class are kinds of races with a handicap or handicap.
- OR - class is an open competition where participants from other cities or societies are invited.
- T - Class - test, or test, races. They don't take bets.
Types of dog racing bets
There is a high probability that soon many different bookmakers will start accepting bets similar to their Western counterparts - on all markets typical of such competitions.
Which markets are typical for dog races?
Similar to other competitive processes are offers to guess the different combinations of the finish line: the winner of the race, the prize (from the first to the third), the first or second place, will a certain dog take first place or not, the exact time of the first three and other special bets.
How to bet on dog racing: a pre-race analysis strategy
The main advantage of betting on dog racing is integrity and honesty in running races. After all, you can't bribe a greyhound with money. The human factor is kept to a minimum. There is a jockey in horse racing, but there is no human influence in dog racing. The human factor comes down only to the organization of competitions. Doping control at official competitions also works. As a result, it all depends on the abilities of the hounds and their readiness.
How does a player identify favourites in dog racing? What selection did criteria work in these seemingly exotic competitions?
Distance and class of races
It's like any regular track and field athlete. Like people in athletics, dogs specialize in a certain distance. Accordingly, they are the favourites at their profile distance, although they are often used for other distances as well. The bettor should determine whether the distance is suited for his hounds. In addition, it is necessary to determine the specifics of the race. Are these conditions convenient for your hounds? Which opponents will they have to compete with?
Boxing No.
In most cases, the organizers consider the features of the dog and its preferences to start in a certain trap. In turn, fans of bets on dog racing should weigh where the dog’s starting place in relation to the inside of the track is. Perhaps, for some reason, the organizers put the dog in the wrong booth.
Intervals between races
Every living being needs rest to recover. It is the coach's responsibility to determine how well the dog is ready for a particular race. Coaches also feel when their pets are at peak form. Experienced bettors who follow certain competitors can also understand when the hound is in optimal shape. In most cases, trainers give their pets a respite after 3-7 runs.
Additional conditions
Weather, as in other sports, can also affect the result of races. The bookmaker is not without reason for broadcasting the weather conditions at the time of the competition. The ideal condition of the track in good weather conditions works on the favourites. Unfavourable conditions in most cases level the playing field, increasing the chances of underdogs, so with changes in weather conditions also changes in forecasts for dog racing.
As in most cases, in dog racing bets, the player has an advantage if he is competent and has more information about a particular hound than a bookmaker. Or has arguments that confirm that the coefficients in the line reflect the specified probability. Profile knowledge of the player allows you to determine the real balance of power, comparing all this with the bookmaker's assessment.
