Greyhound racing has been part of the UK sports scene since the early 1900s, officially beginning in 1926 when the first track opened at Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester!
It didn’t take long for the trackside to become one of the go-to entertainment sources for working-class communities looking for a bit of excitement. The introduction of organised betting at the stadiums boosted its popularity further, making it a worthy part of British sporting culture…
And it’s this greyhound racing betting aspect that we’re diving into today, understanding the different types of bets in racing including greyhound betting odds!
History of Greyhound Racing Betting
Before getting into the ins and outs of betting, let’s kick things off by taking a trip back in time through the history of greyhound racing:
1926 – The Opening of Belle Vue Stadium
The very first greyhound racing track in the UK made its debut in Manchester, marking the official start of organised greyhound racing as a sport.
1928 – Formation of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC)
Just a couple of years later, the NGRC came into being. This organisation helped regulate the sport, creating rules and standards that brought a sense of professionalism and legitimacy to greyhound racing across the country.
1930s – The Golden Age of Greyhound Racing
The 1930s were a huge period for the sport, often referred to as its “Golden Age.” At this time, over 200 tracks were up and running throughout the UK.
1960 – Legalisation of Off-Course Greyhound Racing Betting
The Betting and Gaming Act passed in 1960, which was a game-changer; allowing legal off-course betting shops, opening up greyhound racing and the betting world to a much wider audience.
2001 – Formation of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB)
The GBGB was set up to ensure the welfare of greyhounds, safeguard their treatment, and improve the sport’s image. It became the main body responsible for promoting ethical practices within the sport.
2023 – Inaugural National Greyhound Week
Fast-forward to 2023, and the UK held its first-ever National Greyhound Week in August. This special event celebrated everything related to greyhound racing—from the dogs themselves to the dedicated people working in the industry, as well as the loyal fans and sponsors.
The Basics of Greyhound Bets
In the greyhound racing industry, betting works on different ‘odds’ systems, which a collective of bookmakers and punters create to dictate the greyhound racing results. The main two types of greyhound betting odds we see in the UK are ‘decimal’ and ‘fractional’, both are pretty much as they say on the tin…
In short, decimal odds represent how much you could potentially win, inclusive of your stake. For example, if the odds on the dog ‘Lucky Flyer’ are 7.0, if you bet £1 you’ll get a £7 return which includes your original £1 bet.
Fractional odds reflect how much you win in relation to your stake, with the win on the left and the stake on the right. Plus, you’ll also get your original bet back too. So, if the odds on the dog ‘Julie’s Boy’ are 7/2, you’ll win £7 from a £2 bet – totalling a return of £9.
At Owlerton Stadium, we work via ‘pool’ bets where the winning return is determined based on the total amount of money staked in the pool and the total number of winning bets placed.
Common Types of Greyhound Bets
After you’ve got to grips with the basics of decimal and fractional odds, it’s time to move on to common greyhound bets!
- Win Bet: A win bet is when you put your stake on one greyhound to come first place. You will only get a return if they do indeed win.
- Place Bet: With a place bet, you put your stake on one greyhound to finish either first OR second.
- Each-Way Bet: An each-way bet is technically two different bets in one, meaning you’re covered if your selected dog doesn’t finish first. The initial stake is for your greyhound to win, but the secondary component is a backup for if they come second. If the greyhound comes first you’ll win, if they come second you usually just get your stake back, but if they don’t place you lose.
Advanced Greyhound Racing Betting
Ok, so you’ve mastered the basics, have a knack for the common bet types, and you’re ready to level up to advanced greyhound bets. Here are three you can try to get the greyhound racing results you want:
First Two
- Straight: Select two dogs to finish first & second in the correct order (one bet)
- All ways: Select two dogs to finish first & second any order (two bets)
- Field: Select one dog to finish first with any dogs to finish second (5 bets)
First Three
- Straight: Select three dogs to finish first, second and third in the correct order (one bet)
- All ways: Select three dogs to finish first, second and third in any order (six bets)
- Field: Select one dog to finish first with any dogs to finish second or third (20 bets), or choose two dogs to finish first and second in the correct order with any dog to finish third (4 bets)
Lucky Dip
Before the jackpot pool begins, 6 random greyhounds will be chosen for you. The minimum stake you can bet for this is £1.
Jackpot
Pick 6 greyhounds to win races 6 to 11 (subject to changes) before the start of the jackpot. You must get all of the first places correct to bag the jackpot.
Betting at Owlerton Stadium
At Owlerton Stadium we are delighted to welcome all levels of greyhound racing connoisseurs, from first timers to frequent patrons. We’ve made it easy for you, with a wide range of bets available starting from just £2.
We recommend checking the race card (complimentary with many of our packages) to give you a helping hand with your bet choices – If you need assistance with your greyhound racing betting, we have tote runners around the track to process your stake in cash or card.
Put your new betting knowledge into practice by booking your next visit to Owlerton Stadium!
