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Owlerton’s Beginner’s Guide to Greyhound Betting

Reading Time: 4 mins

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. 

Owlerton’s Beginner’s Guide to Greyhound Betting - Owlerton Stadium

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 ‘winbet, where you back a greyhound to finish first. If you’re feeling a bit cautious, the placebet 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!

Owlerton’s Beginner’s Guide to Greyhound Betting - Owlerton Stadium

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).

    Owlerton’s Beginner’s Guide to Greyhound Betting - Owlerton Stadium

    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

    SGW 2023 - Owlerton Stadium