One can’t confidently promote or denounce a horse without putting him/her through his/her paces. The same is true for rating bookmakers. It is important to put each bookmaker through a verifiable test. There are many different reasons for a bookmaker being good or average. Some might excel in certain areas while finding themselves lacking in others. It is important to create an in-depth analysis in an effort to separate the best from the rest.
Independent Authority
Horse racing betting in the UK has to follow strict regulations that have been put in place for the gambling industry. The best and most trusted bookmakers are all licensed and regulated by an independent authority. This is in line with UK laws. As an independent authority on the world of gambling, we hope to shed as much light as possible on all matters of concern.
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Whether you are a newbie or an old hand at horse betting, we’re here to bust all the jargon and explain key terms in this handy glossary. From bet types and markets to comments about horses running, you can get clued up on all the lingo through Horsebetting.com. Just refer to these definitions if you’re unsure of anything:
Horse betting bet types and markets
With so many different wagers you can place on various markets, betting on horse racing can be confusing for beginners. Get in the know about the bet types available:
- Accumulator – Also called accas for short, accumulators involve multiple horses (usually four or more) to win their races. Odds accumulate from leg to leg, but all must win for the acca to payout.
- Ante post – Any bet placed on a horse race before final declarations are announced.
- Best odds guaranteed (BOG) – Bookmakers who offer BOG will pay you at the starting price (SP) if it is bigger than the odds you took. Remember to check at what point the guarantee comes into effect.
- Distance – Also called winning margin betting, you can make wagers on how far a race will be won by in lengths.
- Double – Where you bet on two horses in different races. The odds of each are multiplied together.
- Each way (E/W) – When you back a horse to win and place as separate bets on the same slip. You unit stake is doubled, while place terms vary depending on the type of race and number of runners.
- Faller insurance – A bet where you receive your stake back in a National Hunt race if your horse falls, unseats their rider or is brought down.
- Fixed odds – All bets struck with bookmakers and on online sportsbook are fixed odds prices. This is done so that the bookies have a margin they make on every wager they take.
- Forecast – Also called an exacta, a forecast is where you bet on two horses in the same race to finish first and second. Straight forecasts specify the order, while reverse forecasts can be any order and are two bets in one with your unit stake doubled. Tricasts or trifectas are similar but involving three horses and three places.
- Match – A match bet is where you back one horse to beat another in a race. It doesn’t have to win the race, just finish in front of the other horse.
- Non-runner no bet (NRNB) – Simply if the horse you bet on doesn’t run, then it’s no bet and you get your stake back.
- Patent – A combination bet where you bet on three horses as singles, three doubles and a treble for seven bets in total. You unit stake is multiplied by seven. There are also other more complex system/combi bets.
- Pick 6 – With a Pick 6 bet, you have to find the winners of the first six races from the same race meeting. This service, similar to a Placepot, is available through pool betting services like the Tote.
- Place – When you bet on a horse to finish placed. What constitutes a place depends on the type of race and number of runners.
- Pool – With pool betting like the Tote, you receive a dividend of the total money gambled on a race rather than taking a fixed odds price. The more people who bet in the pool, then the bigger the pot.
- Price boosts – Where the odds of the bet are enhanced beyond the regular fixed odds market.
- Single – A simple bet on a horse to win a race.
- Starting price (SP) – The odds that a horse was sent off or returned at for a race is the starting price. SPs are traditionally calculated by using an average of on-course bookmaker prices at the off.
- System – Also called combinations or combi bets, systems are where you bet on horses individually and then together as doubles, trebles and accas in combinations. Lucky 15s, Heinz and Canadians are examples of these.
- Treble – Where you bet on three horses to win three different races. Again the odds multiply together.
- Without favourite – A market that doesn’t include the favourite. Bets pay out if the horse you back finishes second to the favourite or wins the race.
Horse racing industry terms
Now that you understand these key horse betting bet types and markets, there are some racing industry terms which can help you when watching all the action on track. As with the first past of our glossary, just refer back to Horsebetting.com if you aren’t sure what any of these things mean:
- Carried out (CO) – When a horse is carried off the course by a horse running out in front of or two the side of it.
- Disqualified (DSQ) – A horse may be disqualified if the jockey fails to weigh in after the race, tests positive for a prohibitive substance or be relegated places following a stewards’ inquiry.
- Fall (F) – When a horse falls jumping a fence, hurdle or other obstacle.
- False start – When horses come under starter’s orders but do so too quickly, it is deemed to be a false start.
- First past the post – Bookmakers pay out on the horse which goes past the winning post first, regardless of whether a stewards’ inquiry is called into the race or not.
- Made all – When a horse makes all the running in a race and leads all the way from flagfall to the winning post.
- On the bridle – A horse is still travelling well without the jockey getting serious in the saddle on them.
- Open ditch – An obstacle with a steeper landing side than a regulation fence in National Hunt races.
- Pecked – When a horse goes down on its nose after jumping a hurdle, fence or other obstacle in National Hunt races.
- Pulled up (PU) – When a jockey stops riding a horse, either because of injury or it is tailed off, in a race before it is complete.
- Ran out (RO) – When a horse runs off the course, often through the wing of a fence, hurdle or other obstacle.
- Refused (REF) – When a horse just won’t jump an obstacle often due to tiredness.
- Refused to race (RR) – Simply when a horse will not jump off or go into the starting stalls.
- Rule 4 – A regulation governing deductions on fixed odds bets. If a horse priced at 14/1 (15.00) or shorter is withdrawn from a race after final declarations, then Rule 4 will apply. Deductions are so many pence in the pound sterling (£) based on bands of odds. The shorter the price of the withdrawn horse, then the greater the deduction.
- Slipped up (SU) – Simply when a horse slips and is out of a race. This often happens on bends where the ground is softer than other parts of the track.
- Stalls – Also called gates in America, most Flat horse races involve horses going into starting stalls which are opened once all runners are in and the starter drops his flag.
- Stewards’ inquiry – Racecourse stewards can call for an inquiry into the race riding by jockeys if interference between horses has taken place and there is a chance that has adversely effected the likely result.
- Under starter’s orders – Horses will be called in or enter starting stalls and once the flag is raised by the starter, they are said to be under their orders. When they starter drops the flag, the race begins.
- Unseated rider (UR) – When the rider of a horse is unseated, usually a stride or two on the landing side of a fence, hurdle or other obstacle in a National Hunt race.
- Void – Horse races can be declared void. An infamous example of this was at Sandown when some horses continued on the course and jumped an obstacle that stewards were flagging for them to bypass.
As in any sport, horse racing has its highlights. There are major meetings around the world each and every year. Here at Horsebetting.com, we are concerned with the best of British, Irish and European horse races, but we also have sister domains for the USA, Canada and Australia that are well worth visiting if you want to know more about the Breeders’ Cup, Kentucky Derby or Melbourne Cup.
In the UK, there are three meetings which are the Holy Trinity of horse racing galas. First of all, there is the Cheltenham Festival – the premier National Hunt horse racing meeting in the UK. Some serious horse racing betting is done by punters over four days in the middle of March. Hot off the heels of Cheltenham is the Grand National at Aintree in April. This is the world’s most famous steeplechase and a field of 40 horses tackle the marathon 4m 2f trip and 30 spruce covered fences which make the ultimate test of equine stamina.
Last and by no means least is Royal Ascot – the leading Flat meeting and top festival in that sphere. While Glorious Goodwood and the Ebor Festival in York keep the good times and horse betting rolling all summer long, nothing compares to racing in front of royalty at Ascot for five days every June. In Ireland, meanwhile, there are events including the Christmas Festival and Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in the winter, then the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festival that brings the curtain down on jumps racing in the Emerald Isle for another season.
Don’t forget about Irish Champions Weekend too which follows on from the St Leger – one of five British Classics that completes the top races for thoroughbred three-year-olds. The Epsom Derby and Oaks come on from Guineas Weekend at Newmarket. Each Classic is over different distances, with the 1000 and 2000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile, the Epsom Derby and Oaks over a mile-and-a-half, and the St Leger at Doncaster the most testing at an extended mile-and-three-quarters. Here are Horsebetting.com, we’ve got all that and more covered!
As a newcomer or seasoned professional, you would love to increase your chances of success. As much fun as it is in being spontaneous, lowering your risk and planning for the long-term is vital for a better success rate. Through a host of articles which elaborate on horse racing betting in the UK with top tips and strategies, you’ll find yourself learning the ins-and-outs of betting. Betting tips for beginners will give you confidence while various strategy guides will enable all punters to elevate their game.
Tips & Tricks for Beginners
The world of UK horse betting online might seem overwhelming at first glance. However, there is no need to worry. All you need to know and more is provided on Horsebetting.com. We will equip you with the necessary tools required to formulate strategies and become a winning punter!
The first step is to learn the basics. Familiarise yourself with betting lingo and relevant terminology for horse racing betting in the UK. You will find it much easier to navigate through bookmaker sites and it will help you figure out what you’re looking for.
Before you jump right in to top horse betting websites, make sure you set yourself a budget. This will mitigate potential losses. It’s easy to lose yourself in the immediate sensation that accompanies online betting. On average, people will lose money before they make gains. If you’re able to stick to a budget, you’ll find yourself in a better position further on down the road.
Start reading up about betting strategies. This will certainly increase your chances of success. You will be able to craft your own strategy and enter a betting market brimming with confidence and understanding.
When deciding on which bookmakers are best, there are certain aspects that should be taken into account. These aspects are used as a metric in judging which bookmakers offer potential customers the best experience. Our team is very thorough throughout the analysis process. By constantly researching and updating our reviews and ratings, we hope to provide an informative and objective point of view about the best horse betting sites out there. Below, you’ll find 8 aspects which we take into account for horse betting sites and that are important to understand if you wish to find the best bookmaker for you.Horse Racing Betting UK – FAQs
