Greyhound bets are a popular form of wagering at greyhound races, often involving the track’s own tote system. The bets available on the tote include various options for winning and placing, as well as more complex combinations.
Types of Bets
- Win only: Choose a greyhound to finish first and win the race.
- Place only: Choose a greyhound to finish either first or second in the race.
- Forecast: Select two greyhounds to place first and second in the correct order.
- A popular variation is the Reverse Forecast, which allows the chosen greyhounds to finish in first and second place in any order.
- Trio or Trifecta: Similar to a forecast, but punters must pick the top three finishers in the correct order.
Tote System
The track’s tote system is a popular method for placing bets on greyhound races. It involves pooling bets from various bettors and distributing the winnings proportionately according to the size of each bettor’s stake. Here are some key features of the tote system:
- Parimutuel betting: All bets are pooled and winnings are divided among winning bettors based on their bet size, after the deduction of management and other expenses.
- Transparent pricing: The tote system displays the odds in real-time based on the bets placed by all bettors, allowing participants to make informed decisions regarding their bets.
- Wide accessibility: The tote system can be found at most greyhound racing venues, making it an easy-to-use option for bettors of varying experience levels.
Tote Betting Table
| Type of Bet | Description | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Win only | Choose a greyhound to win the race | Easy |
| Place only | Choose a greyhound to finish in first or second place | Easy |
| Forecast | Pick two greyhounds for first and second place in correct order | Moderate |
| Reverse Forecast | Pick two greyhounds for first and second place in any order | Moderate |
| Trio or Trifecta | Choose the top three finishers in correct order | Difficult |
By offering a range of betting options and a transparent, accessible system, greyhound bets can provide an engaging experience for racing enthusiasts.
Combination Bets
Combination bets in greyhound racing allow punters to bet on multiple outcomes involving two, three, or even four greyhounds. Success is not dependent upon accurately predicting solely the first-place finisher but takes into account the positions of the selected greyhounds in a variety of combinations.
Types of Combination Bets
Punters can place several types of combination bets, each with its specific rules and predictions for the greyhounds. Here are the most common ones:
- Double: Involves two greyhounds, with successful bets when both dogs finish in specific positions.
- Trebles: Requires a bettor to pick three greyhounds, all of whom must achieve the predicted results.
- Accumulator: This bet is for four or more greyhounds, and to win, all selected dogs must achieve their forecasted results.
The overall success of a combination bet varies greatly on the skill and knowledge of the punter, considering that multiple outcomes must be accurately predicted.
Forecast Combination:
- Forecast Combination is a popular type of combination bet, where three greyhounds are chosen, and a single bet consists of six different forecasts. If any two of the selected greyhounds secure the first and second places in the race, the bet is declared successful.
Difficulty Level and Payouts of Combination Bets
The difficulty level and potential payouts of combination bets depend upon the number of greyhounds involved and the specificity of the outcomes predicted. Here is a table illustrating the complexity associated with different types of combination bets and their potential payouts.
| Type of Combination Bet | Number of Greyhounds Involved | Level of Complexity | Possible Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double | 2 | Moderate | Medium |
| Trebles | 3 | High | High |
| Accumulator | 4 or more | Very High | Very High |
| Forecast Combination | 3 | High | High |
Given the increased level of complexity, combination bets are generally considered more suitable for experienced punters who possess a deep grasp of greyhound racing dynamics.
The Plum Bet
The Plum bet is a pool bet involving two consecutive greyhound races. It requires predicting the correct finishing order for the first and second greyhounds in each race. This type of bet carries a higher degree of difficulty due to the necessity of correctly forecasting multiple outcomes across consecutive races.
How the Plum Bet Works
- First race prediction: Nominate the trap numbers of the dogs that will finish first and second, in the correct order, in the first race.
- Race exchange: If successful, exchange the winning ticket for another bet nominating the first and second dogs, in the correct order, for the second race.
- Chance of success: Since there are 30 different ways in which six dogs can finish first and second, the statistical chance of success in predicting both races correctly is 1 in 900.
Fancy with the Field
Fancy with the Field is a betting strategy that focuses on predicting the winner of two consecutive races and is aimed at winning the Plum bet, irrespective of which greyhound finishes second. In this approach, 25 bets are involved for each race, raising the stakes and requiring a clear understanding of greyhound racing and betting dynamics.
How Fancy with the Field Works
- Predict winners: Identify the winning greyhound for each of the two races. For example, the prediction might be that number 1 will win the first race, and number 2 will win the second race.
- Place bets: Place 25 separate bets involving different combinations of the predicted winners and other greyhounds to finish second in each race. By covering the field, bettors aim to increase their chances of winning the Plum bet.
- Outsider advantage: Ideally, bettors hope that an outsider, or a less likely greyhound, finishes second each time, potentially increasing the payout.
Comparison to Other Betting Strategies
Fancy with the Field is an alternative approach to traditional combination bets, such as doubles, trebles, and forecast combinations. It offers unique advantages and challenges in comparison:
| Betting Strategy | Description | Difficulty Level | Number of Bets Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fancy with the Field | Predicting the winner of two consecutive races, irrespective of the second-place greyhound | High | 25 bets per race |
| Doubles | Accurately predicting the positions of two greyhounds in a single race | Moderate | 1 bet per race |
| Trebles | Selecting three greyhounds that all achieve predicted results in a single race | High | 1 bet per race |
| Forecast Combination | Picking any two of the three chosen greyhounds to finish first and second within the correct order | High | 6 bets per race |
The Fancy with the Field betting strategy requires a higher number of bets and relies on the accurate prediction of the winner for two consecutive races. As such, it carries higher risks and is best suited for experienced bettors with a comprehensive understanding of greyhound racing and betting nuances.
Alternative Betting Strategies
This section discusses several alternative betting strategies in greyhound racing, including the Duella, Three by Three, Quinella, and 3 x 3 x 3 systems, which offer unique ways for bettors to predict the outcomes of races and increase potential payouts.
The Duella
The Duella is similar to the Plum but requires the correct prediction of the two greyhounds that will finish first and second in a single race, regardless of their order.
- Winning combinations: In a six-dog race, there are 15 x 15 = 225 possible winning combinations, significantly lower than the 900 combinations in the Plum.
Three by Three
The Three by Three betting system involves selecting three different greyhounds in each race to finish in any order in the first two positions, with a total of nine bets.
- Example: The first two places in the first race will be filled by two of the dogs numbered 1, 3, and 5, and in the second race by two of the dogs numbered 2, 4, and 6.
The Quinella
The Quinella is a betting strategy requiring the correct prediction of the two greyhounds that will finish in the first two positions in three different races, usually the third, fifth, and sixth races on the card. The two greyhounds can finish in either order, similar to the Duella.
- Winning combinations: In a six-dog race, there are 15 x 15 x 15 possible winning combinations, resulting in a total of 3,375 combinations.
3 x 3 x 3 System
The 3 x 3 x 3 system involves choosing three dogs for each of the three races. Two of the three selected greyhounds must finish in the first two positions in each of the three races to win. A total of 27 bets is involved.
- Example: First leg fancies – dogs 1, 2, 5; second leg fancies – dogs 2, 3, 4; third leg fancies – dogs 4, 5, 6.
Betting Strategy Comparison
| Betting Strategy | Description | Difficulty Level | Number of Bets Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Duella | Predicting the two greyhounds finishing first and second, regardless of order | Moderate | 1 bet per race |
| Three by Three | Selecting three greyhounds to finish first and second in any order | Moderate | 9 bets total |
| The Quinella | Correctly predicting the first two positions in three different races, irrespective of order | High | 1 bet per race, 3 bets total |
| 3 x 3 x 3 System | Choosing three dogs in each of the three races, with two finishing in the first two positions | High | 27 bets total |
These alternative betting strategies offer varying levels of difficulty and potential payouts, catering to different types of bettors and preferences. Regardless of the chosen strategy, a comprehensive understanding of greyhound racing and betting is essential for success.
