There is usually only a maximum of eight dogs in a greyhound race, which should make it easier to study the form than horse racing, but there is plenty in the form that racing fans will recognise, with the race distance, the finishing position and form comments all readily available.
It’s worth noting that greyhounds are more widely referred to by Trap number, the number of the trap (stall) they are racing from than their name. Some greyhounds have a marked preference for racing against the rail or racing wide and these are denoted by an R or a W next to the name of the dog on the racecard.
Types Of Greyhound Races
There are two types of greyhound races, that you’ll be able to bet and wager on – flat races and hurdle races, in which the participants jump some artificial brush-like hurdles. Races take place over a variety of trips from 250m sprints to 1000m marathons, so there is the opportunity to witness the equivalent of Usain Bolt and Mo Farah in the greyhound world.
Greyhound Betting Guide To The Tracks
Greyhound racing takes place all over Britain and Ireland, from Shawfield in Scotland to Poole in Dorset, England. They also race at Shelbourne Park, Harold’s Cross and Dundalk in Ireland and greyhound racing take place every day of the week from 11am-11pm so there is no shortage of greyhounds on which to place a bet.
Each track has it’s own idiosyncrasies, much the same as horse racing courses, but it’s worth noting that greyhounds always race left-handed. All tracks attempt to maintain an even surface and create fair competition but it’s worth noting that biases can be created when affected by adverse weather conditions.
Types of Greyhound Bets
It’s far more usual to find exotic bets such as forecasts and tricasts used by greyhound punters as a way to maximise their returns. Here are the main bets that greyhound racing serves:
Win
A single bet on any given dog to win the race. You can take a price, which your bet will be settled at whatever happens, and your bet will be settled at that price whatever happens or you can bet at starting price (SP) and your bet will be settled at the price the dog starts the race at throughout most free bet offers.
Each-way
Each way bets are also settled at a taken price or SP but this time you are placing two bets, one to win and one to place. Your total stake is, therefore, twice your unit stake (£10 each way costs £20). However, due to the fewer number of runners in dog races than in most horse races, there are only two places paid on dog races. The place terms are usually a quarter of the odds so it’s important to back a 4/1 shot or bigger if you want to get your money back if the dog is placed.
Straight forecast
Hugely popular in greyhound racing, the straight forecast (SFC) requires you to name the first two dogs home in the correct order. This allows punters to win relatively large amounts for smaller stakes
Reverse forecast
This bet is similar to a straight forecast but to be successful the two dogs can fill the first two places in any order. A reverse forecast in greyhound racing is essentially two bets, so your total stake will be twice the unit stake (a £10 RFC costs £20).
Combination forecast
A combination forecast (CFC) is a reverse forecast on three or more selections. Usually, three dogs are selected in this bet and they can fill the first two spots in any order. A three-dog combination forecast totals six bets, so a £5 CFC will cost £30.
Straight tricast
A straight tricast (STC) is a bet in which you have to name the first three dogs home in the correct order. The dividend returns can be huge but that reflects the chances of landing the bet.
Combination tricasts
A combination tricast (CTC) is a bet in which you can name three or more dogs and they have to fill the first three places in any order. A three-dog combination tricast requires six bets, so a £5 CTC in this instance will cost £30, while a four-dog combination will be 24 bets
Multiple bets
All the usual multiples are available on greyhound racing, you can bet on doubles, trebles, accas, trixies. patents, yankees, lucky 15s/31s/63s and so on. Forecast and reverse forecast patents are also fairly common greyhound daily racing multiple bets.
