Horse races and betting is a love story that’s been going on for centuries. Going to the races has almost always been associated with betting. From regular punters to the elite, the world stakes billions on horse races each year.

Of course, before you go deeper in horse betting, you need to understand the basics first. The art of horse race betting isn’t something you can learn in a day or two. It takes a lot of learning and practice, so it’s safe to say that you won’t be able to make money right off the bat.

Almost all horse racing betting offers are pari-mutuel bets. This means that the prize money is shared proportionally among the winners. According to estimates, there are over $100 billion of bets placed on horse races annually which makes it quite a lucrative industry. There’s a lot of money to be made in horse racing, but only if you’re patient and stake on the right bets.

Horse Race Betting Basics

Before you go deeper into horse betting, you need to learn more about your favourite’s form. Factors such as the horse’s diet, constitution, soundness, and proneness to injuries may all make or break an excellent racehorse. Even if a bookie favours one horse rather than others, you should check all other competitors before you make a decision.

The race card is another thing to consider. If you can’t read it, chances are you won’t be able to place a proper bet. For those of you unaware, it is a printed card used in horse racing that provides information about the races and horses that compete in each. Race cards are often published in newspapers and contain information such as the horse’s name, weight, age, and its recent form (among other things). Learn how to read the race card and things will be much simpler when you decide to bet.

How to Win at Horse Race Betting

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to place your stake. First, you’ll need to pick a race and trust us, options are aplenty. You can bet on local races and worldwide cups – it’s just a question of how good the odds are. Choose your races carefully and just like in any sport, don’t trust the favourite only. Anything can happen in a horse race, and it’s not always the best horse that wins.

As a matter of fact, there have been many long shots in races such as the Kentucky Derby that have stunned punters and the public. For example, Donerail, the 1913 Kentucky Derby winner, won at odds of 91-1, which, as you can guess, made many people pretty rich.

Before you even consider placing a bet, you’ll have to set limits for yourself. Horse race betting, like all types of betting, can be highly addictive. You will find yourself chasing your losses after a short time if you aren’t careful with your budget, and you don’t want that to happen. Chasing your losses will put you in perpetual failure, with mounting debts you can’t get out of. Stay within your daily, weekly or monthly budget, though, and this won’t happen. Never go over the limit and remember – do it for fun, not for money.

Once you’re all set and ready to go, place a bet on your favourite and watch the race. You can do this either by visiting the racetrack which is the way to go or place a bet online and watch a stream of the race. Of course, if the operator has it. All that’s left is to wait and see if your horse wins. With each win, you’ll get better and better at it, which will hopefully translate to bigger and better wins.

As a frankly depressing season in the Championship which resulted in relegation is now firmly in the back of the minds of all Ipswich Town fans, the Tractor Boys are gearing up for a season in unfamiliar territory in League One.

Paul Lambert, the man who is tasked with taking the club back to the Championship at the first time of asking, attempted to steady what was, essentially, a sinking ship and, in the end, despite some much improved performances it was all too little, too late.

The former Norwich City boss has certainly earned his chance to rebuild the club, though, and with his decent managerial CV and tactical nous, Ipswich should certainly head into the season in a buoyant, positive mood despite coming off the back of a depressing season in the Championship. The shackles are off, so to speak and, although the pressure will be on to win promotion, the players will hopefully adapt and enjoy their new League One surroundings.

It’ll be far from easy for Lambert’s Ipswich, though – ask Sunderland fans. The Black Cats had the biggest budget in League One last campaign but still failed to achieve what Ipswich’s objective is for the season ahead – going up. Odds on Ipswich winning promotion are currently priced at 2/1 (bet365), with Sunderland themselves taking up the tag as ‘favourites’ at 6/4 (bet365).

Bookmakers can often disagree on the odds, so you can click here to get a full list of top UK bookmakers supporting League One betting to compare prices. Yet, from what we can see so far from Bet365, the competition for Ipswich looks tough:  Portsmouth (5/2), Rotherham (10/3), Peterborough (7/2) Fleetwood and Doncaster (both 5/1) will all fancy their chances of promotion to the Championship next season. Lambert might find that League One is no walk in the park. 

Competition will certainly be strong for Ipswich, that’s for sure, but with one of the biggest budgets in the division and the opportunity to turn Portman Road into a fortress once again, the Tractor Boys will be expected to be there or thereabouts.

New additions, which are frankly desperately needed at the club, have already got underway too as Lambert looks to make his mark at the club and finally put his stamp on what is essentially previous manager Paul Hurst’s squad. James Norwood has joined the club from Tranmere Rovers after scoring 32 goals for the League One new boys last season and is the Tractor Boys’ third signing of the summer transfer window so far after goalkeepers Tomas Holy and Adam Przybek both joined.

Former AFC Wimbledon defender Dei Oshilaja, who is a free agent after leaving the Dons at the end of the season and nearly joined Ipswich in January, is continually linked with a move to the club. As is Gillingham striker Tom Eaves, who has been impressing in a Gills shirt since joining the club in 2017 and is potentially the ideal foil for James Norwood.

Things are certainly starting to take shape at Portman Road ahead of what is a humongous season for the club. In Paul Lambert many Ipswich fans trust, despite not perhaps feeling fully onboard with those above him at the club. A few impressive signings, much like the James Norwood’s of this world, plus a solid start to the League One campaign, could certainly quell any nerves and help mute any frustrations still lingering from last season.

Ipswich are on the comeback trail and despite being in a tough division, promotion is a must. A long, hard season is ahead but the Tractor Boys appear to be more than up to the task.