Does this ever happen to you when you’re handicapping the dogs? You pick a winner, go up to the window, bet it and then realize that you’re not too confident in it. Better make a side bet, just in case the first bet doesn’t come in. Many people call this an insurance bet, because it covers their first bet if the dogs don’t run the way you think they will.
Well, insurance it’s not and it doesn’t have anything to do with the first bet. It’s just another bet on totally different dogs and it’s a good way to go broke. In the first place, if you’re not sure of that first bet, don’t make it. If you can’t handicap a race and come up with solid picks, you shouldn’t be betting. Wait out the race and use the time to handicap the next race.
In the second place, you’re betting against yourself with side bets. If you really think the 1 will win, followed by the 2 or the 3, then bet that. If you’re only somewhat sure, think about it again. Go over the program.
Look at the main factors that determine winners in dog races. (There’s a lot of information about this at my site.) Picture in your mind how the race will unfold and where the dogs will be at the break, 1/8th call, first turn, stretch and finish.
Use your favorite greyhound handicapping system to pick dogs and then decide the best way to bet them. It also helps if you get there early enough to go over the whole program before you decide which bets in which races would be the best strategy to earn the best return on your investment.
The bottom line is simple when it comes to whether or not to bet insurance bets. It’s this. If you bet the Red Sox to beat the Yankees in the World Series, would you also bet the Yankees to beat the Red Sox too? Of course not, because you’d lose either way.
Insurance bets are the same thing. If you think the 1 will beat all the other dogs, why bet on two other dogs to win also? Only one dog can win a race. It’s bad enough that you have hundreds of other bettors betting against you at the track. Don’t add insult to injury with insurance bets that have you betting against yourself.
These are tough financial times for all of us. That’s why I’ve reduced the prices of my Winning Greyhound Handicapping Systems. For as little as $20, you can win at the dog track today.
Make a fast friend. Adopt a retired racing greyhound.
