Internet Accounts

If you normally bet in a high street bookmakers or over the phone, you are missing out because the choice of available prices is seriously limited. The only way to gamble these days is through the Internet due to the large number of firms offering you enhanced odds, special bets and free money. In order to take the best price available in the market, you need to open an account with a large number of Internet firms. I have an account with every firm listed under Odds Checker so that I am always guaranteed the best price in the market. You will generally get a free bet or gift when you join a new Internet firm so it makes it worth your while. Check out the internet bookmakers on my Bookmaker sites page.

Financial Sense

The number one rule of gambling is, "don't bet more than you can afford to lose". Don't kid yourself that you can make a living out of gambling on horses. With any luck you will be able to make a tidy profit but always remember that there are hundreds of rich bookmakers out there and only a handful of successful professional gamblers. The second most important rule of gambling is "never chase your losses".

Specialise

There is so much racing on offer these days that you need to be selective in what type of events you decide to bet on. You won't be able to make a profit from backing a horse in every race every day

Form Guides

Use a detailed form guide such as the Racing Post to help you when you choose your selections. I find the Racing Post and Sporting Life websites invaluable when it comes to studying the form of sprint races.

Selections

Take every known factor into account when making your selections including; horse form, jockey form, trainer form, distance, going, draw, handicap rating, seasonal form, course form, number of runners, winning times, class of race, prices etc. Of course, I do all this hard work for you - all you have to do is send one text message and then you can start receiving all my tips.

Each Way Backing

A lot of tipsters don't agree with backing each way (EW) because you have to pay twice as much for the privilege (half of the total stake goes on the win and the other half goes on the place). However, when you start backing horses that are priced 10/1 or more you really need to consider betting each way because you can still make a profit even if your horse is placed.

Best Odds

When you have made your selection, shop around for the best odds in the betting market. Use an odds comparison site such as Odds Checker to see which Internet bookmaker is offering the best prices. Also take into account the place terms being offered by the firm as some offer enhanced odds for certain races.

Betting Exchanges

Betting exchanges are an excellent innovation but they are not ideal for the each way punter seeking early morning value. You will generally get very fair win odds for your selection but I find that the place terms are very poor. You also have to pay 5% commission on any winnings.

Level Stakes

Always bet to a level stake because there is nothing worse that putting £100 on a 2/1 loser and only £1 each way on a 50/1 winner. I bet £50 each way on every selection regardless of price and I'm not afraid of backing horses with form figures of 000000 at the odds of 66/1, if I think it's got a good chance of winning.

Sprinters in Form

Most tipsters will advise you to back a sprinter in form. My advice would be to back a sprinter that's just about to come into form as the odds will be much more appealing.

Draw Effect

When making your selections take into account the effect of the draw - the stall in which your horse has start the race from. At some courses, such as Chester, the draw can play a very significant part in the outcome of a race (low draw best at Chester for sprint races).

Confidence

I feel that a big part of my success is down to luck and confidence. When you have made your selection try and visualise it winning and be confident that it will at least sneak into a place. Also never change your mind after you have made your selection.

Watch The Race

I also think it's important that you get to see your selection run so that you can see for yourself if you were unlucky or not. I subscribe to the Racing UK (SKY Ch432) and At The Races (SKY Ch415) satellite channels so that I can see every race that I bet on.