Greyhound racing and how to bet on it
Those who take interest in the sport of horse racing must also be aware of another similar sport known as greyhound racing. Unlike horse racing, greyhound racing has not been able to gain as much popularity, but it still has a devout following in countries
where it is practiced.
Greyhound racing is commonly found in England, America, Ireland, Australia, Spain, China and Mexico. In these countries, it also forms a considerable part of the gambling business. Greyhound gambling forms a whole industry in these countries, which in turn
contributes to their economies. Before we delve deeper into the mechanics of the gambling business, let us briefly familiarise you with the history of the greyhound betting games.
Travelling back in time, we find the first seeds of the game near the Welsh Harp reservoir in Hendon. Greyhounds were reportedly raced for the first time in 1876. The race took place on a straight track. However, this practice did not gain momentum and the
concept of racing greyhounds on a straight track fizzled away.
Much later in 1912, Owen Patrick Smith developed a system of racing greyhounds that led to its modern form today. Smith made the greyhounds’ race on oval or circular tracks. The novelty of his race was that the dogs chased an artificial or mechanical hare
around the track. Smith formed this idea because he was interested in protecting the live jack rabbits from being killed by greyhounds, another sport that was in vogue during that time period. Smith hoped that in time, greyhound racing would achieve a level
similar to horse racing. He did not anticipate that the game would become so inextricably linked with gambling as it is today.
The system of gambling has evolved to such an extent that almost anyone sitting in any part of the world can make a bet. The gambling industry allows for online betting, as well as on the spot betting. However, in order to make the right bet, you need to
have skill in selecting the right greyhound to bet on. To facilitate you with this task, we will discuss with you the salient features that you need to consider before making a bet on a greyhound race.
Feature one: Age
The age of the greyhound is important. The younger they are, the better they run. However, they should also not be too young as the bones are not properly developed during that time period. Generally, the prime age for a male greyhound is agreed to be two
years. Whereas, the prime age of the female greyhound is said to be three years. So when you are making your pick, be sure your dog is not older than the mentioned age.
Feature two: Recent performance
It does not matter how the greyhound performed last season, what is more important is how the dog has performed in recent races. This will give you a better idea of the performance level of the greyhound, and what sort of shape the dog is in. Another factor
which comes into play here is that the greyhounds who have not been active recently might have suffered an injury. Therefore, they would be one of the worst picks to bet on.
Feature three: Type of race
There are several types of races that are prevalent in greyhound racing. Some are competitive, while others are less so. Therefore, a greyhound who has won one of the less competitive races might not be better than the one, who has stood second or third
in a more competitive one. For this reason it becomes significant to analyse the type of races the greyhound has participated in.
These were the three salient features that any bettor should keep in mind before making a bet. If the analysis is done properly, then the chances of making the right bet improve greatly.
Tags: