You’ve rallied your friends and booked your experience at Owlerton Stadium, so what’s next? You discover how to master greyhound betting with our beginner’s guide, packed with the best greyhound racing tips!
Our whistle-stop tour of greyhound betting at Owlerton Stadium includes everything you need to know to get started, from the iconic greyhound cards to the all-important racing terms you need to know to make your time at the track seamless.
Brief History of the Dogs
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of greyhound betting, let’s take a quick trip back to when the sport began!
The first official greyhound race was held in Manchester in 1926, marking the beginning of organised greyhound racing in the country. After quickly gaining popularity, numerous tracks popped up around the UK – including Owlerton Stadium in 1929!
After almost a century of racing (can you believe it?), surprisingly, greyhound betting hasn’t changed hugely; with on-track bookmakers, tote staff, betting slips, and the social aspect still as vital today as back then.
How to Bet on Greyhounds
Race Structure
Each race lasts around 30 seconds, typically featuring 6 speedy dogs. Races vary in distance, usually between 250 to 750 metres, keeping the excitement high and the action fast-paced. With races happening every 15 to 20 minutes, there’s never a dull moment before the greyhound racing results are in!
Types of Bets
Owlerton Stadium offers a variety of greyhound betting that adds to the excitement of the sport. The simplest and most popular is the ‘win’ bet, where you back a greyhound to finish first. If you’re feeling a bit cautious, the ‘place’ bet is your go-to, as it pays out if your dog finishes in the top two.
For those who love a challenge, the ‘first two’ and ‘first three’ bets allow you to choose two or three dogs to finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd – in any order! Not to forget the ‘jackpot’, where you place bets on 6 races (1 dog per race) before the races begin – if the jackpot isn’t won it carries over to the next race day.
How to Read Betting Odds
Greyhound betting odds might seem tricky at first, but it’s simpler than it looks. Odds are typically displayed as fractions, like 3/1 or 7/2. The first number is the potential profit you’d make for every unit you bet, and the second number is your stake. So, if you bet £1 at 3/1 odds, you’d win the amount displayed on the screen – plus get your £1 stake back!
Greyhound Racing Tips
Here are some top tips to help you make more informed bets.
Set your limit
Decide in advance how much money you are willing to bet and stick to that amount.
Learn how to read greyhound cards
Familiarise yourself with the layout which includes the names of the dogs, their starting positions, and their past performance data – some of these include common symbols and abbreviations.
Choosing the winning greyhound
An important factor to consider when choosing a dog, is analysing its greyhound racing results from previous performances, such as the greyhound’s consistency, whether it tends to start quickly and lead, and if the dog’s weight has changed.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don’t overlook key things like track conditions, the weather, trainer statistics, and the starting position of the dog.
Stay disciplined
Avoid chasing losses and bet responsibly.
Don’t only bet on favourites
While favourites often win, they don’t always offer the best value – and favourites have bad days too! Consider betting on underdogs with strong potential.
Stay Objective
Make decisions based on data and analysis rather than emotions or hunches – like a dog’s name (as fantastic as it may be).
Greyhound Racing Terms
Across the Board – A win, place, and show on a particular greyhound.
Racing Jacket – A covering for a greyhound with its number and colour
Dam – The mother of a litter of registered greyhound puppies
Dead Heat – Two or more greyhounds completed the race simultaneously
First Two/Three Straight – (Betting) Choose 2/3 dogs to finish 1st and 2nd (or 1st, 2nd, 3rd) in the correct order
First Two/Three Reverse – (Betting) Choose 2/3 dogs to finish in either order
First Two/Three With the Field – (Betting) Choose 1 dog to finish 1st with any other dog to finish 2nd (or 3rd)
Grade – The classification of a specific race and/or greyhound
Jackpot – (Betting) Pick 6 races to bet on, all bets to be placed before the jackpot starts
Lucky Dip – (Betting) £1.00 bets available, before the first leg, for the jackpot pool
Lure – An artificial object that the greyhounds chase around the track, designed to mimic a small animal or flag
Owner – A person registered to own a greyhound eligible for a race or event
Place – (Betting) Choose one dog to finish first or second
SAW / “Slow Away”- Greyhound leaves the trap slower than the other dogs
Trainer – A person registered to train greyhounds
Win – (Betting) Select one dog that will win the race
