Get Ready for the Thrill of Greyhound Betting with Offshore Sportsbooks!
Greyhound dogs racing on the sand track
Greyhound racing may not be as popular as horse racing or motorsports but its fans make up a tight-knit community that comes together to watch and wager on some of the world’s fastest dogs.
Best Offshore Sportsbook for GreyHound Racing
Of course, if you’re new to greyhound betting, it can seem like a daunting task to learn the finer details of the sport and develop a strategy to win your wagers.
The trick to mastering greyhound betting is to first find a quality sportsbook with competitive odds on a number of greyhound lines.
From there, simply study the various types of bets, learn to read the odds, and then familiarize yourself with the top racers in the sport. Then you’ll be able to place your first bet with confidence and maybe even pick out a winner or two.
Don’t worry if still sounds like a lot to learn. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started, including the basics of greyhound racing, the different betting lines, and the odds system.
So, if you’re ready to win a profit, let’s get started.
What is Greyhound Betting?
Just like horse racing, greyhound racing is a sport where dogs compete by running around an oval track to see who can cross the finish line first.
There are usually eight dogs in each race, and they are all of different sizes and greyhound breeds.
The dogs are also classed into different age groups to help level the playing field.
Some of the most popular tracks are located in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia and draw competitors from around the world.
There are also two tracks still in operation in the United States, both of which are located in West Virginia, although the sport has lost a considerable number of fans over the years.
Nevertheless, it is still legal in 9 states across the nation.
To bet on the sport, punters gauge which dog they think will come in first, second, or third and then place their wagers accordingly.
The odds for each dog are displayed on a board at the track or in an online sportsbook, and the payouts are based on those odds.
The Main Types of Greyhound Bets
Experienced sports bettors may be surprised to learn that greyhound betting involves a completely different set of bets than what you’d find with larger team sports, such as football, basketball, and baseball.
Instead, they mirror the same bets you would find at a horse racing track. These include:
- Win Bets: A win bet is as simple as it gets. Just pick the dog that you think will win and hope for the best.
- Win/Place Bets: These bets allow you to wager on whether a dog will win or come in second or third place. Win/place odds are usually less profitable than straight win bets but they’re also a safer option.
- Straight Forecasts: A straight forecast bet is when you pick the 1st and 2nd placegetters in the correct order. This is one of the most difficult bets to win but it’s also one of the most profitable.
- Reverse Forecasts: A reverse forecast is when you pick the 1st and 2nd placegetters in any order. This type of bet includes two separate wagers and, therefore, doubles your chances of winning.
- Tricasts: A tricast bet is when you pick the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placegetters in the correct order. This is the most difficult bet to win but it also offers the highest payouts.
- Exacta: An exacta bet is essentially the same as a straight forecast bet but set with a $2 limit that goes into a pool. The pool is then divided among everyone who picked the winning two horses.
- Trifecta: A trifecta bet is like an exacta bet but with three horses instead of two. The bet is also limited to $2 and the payouts come from a pool that is divided among everyone who picked the winning three horses.
Once you’ve mastered these bets, the next step is to study the sport and identify leading competitors.
We recommend building a betting strategy based on the dogs’ prior performances and closely following their training so you can bet with a little more confidence.
How to Read Greyhound Betting Odds
Another major difference between greyhound betting and other types of sports betting is that the odds are usually displayed using decimal or fractional systems.
Since most races are held overseas, it’s considered the industry standard to use European and UK odds in favor of the standard American positive and negative system.
Although decimal and fractional systems may seem more complicated, they’re not too hard to learn:
- Decimal odds: Decimal odds are the easiest to understand because they simply represent the amount of money you could win for every dollar wagered. For example, if the odds are 1.50, you would win $.50 for every $1, plus your original stake. Odds between 1 and 2 represent a favorite and anything above 2 represents an underdog.
- Fractional odds: Fractional odds are a little more difficult to understand but they’re still relatively simple. The number on the left represents how much money you will win for every dollar wagered while the number on the right is your total stake. So, if the odds are 3/1, you will win $3 for every $1 wagered.
When in doubt, your online sportsbook should have the option to switch systems, making it easier to understand the odds and make an informed decision.
Finding a Quality Greyhound Derby Betting Site
If you’re looking for a reputable online sportsbook to place your greyhound bets, we recommend sticking with the industry leaders.
These sportsbooks have been in business for years, offer a number of lines on different races, and provide competitive odds that give you a fair chance to win your wagers.
Check them out individually and register using your personal information to get started today.
1. Betfred
Betfred is a privately-owned bookmaker that was founded way back in 1967 by two brothers, Fred, and Peter Done. The company is based in the United Kingdom and today operates more than 1,700 brick-and-mortar locations across the country.
In addition to its vast physical presence, Betfred also offers a number of digital platforms for sports betting, casino gaming, bingo, and more.
Betfred welcomes new customers with a $60 free bet when they register and place a $10 qualifying bet on any sports market with odds of 1/2 (1.50) or greater.
Once registered, you can fund your bankroll using credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and even direct bank deposits.
The company offers an impressive number of greyhound markets, although most of them are based in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Nevertheless, punters can find lines on all the top races, including:
- The English Greyhound Derby
- The Scottish Greyhound Derby
- The East Anglian Cup
- The Grand National
Odds are displayed using the standard European decimal system, and you can even take advantage of Betfred’s live streaming service to catch all the action as it happens.
The company also offers a number of other bonuses and promotions for existing customers, including extra place offers on selected horse racing and greyhound events.
2. StarSports
StarSports is one of the largest sports betting sites in the UK. The company was founded in 1999 as Star Racing and has since merged into the online betting site it is today.
In addition to its sportsbook betting, StarSports also offers an online casino. Although there is no welcome bonus on offer the bookmaker advertises many cash back offers in the form of free bets.
This is also where its expertise in Greyhound racing promotions comes into play – with a tasty up to £50 back if your greyhound selections get pipped at the line offer (specific tracks).
To qualify, simply register for an account, make a deposit, and place your bets.
Once your account is funded, you can find lines on all the top greyhound races around the UK and Ireland, as well as a number of virtual races.
Some of the more popular Greyhound tracks include:
- Harlow
- Crayford
- Nottingham
- Kinsley
- Monmore
- Hove
- Newcastle
- Doncaster
- Yarmouth
Unlike the other sites on our list, StarSports displays its odds using the standard UK fractional system. they also offer Greyhound Quick Picks, BuildA racecard, Ante Post and Trap Challenge options.
What makes StarSports different and unique compared to other betting sites in the UK?
they offer:
Credit Betting – fixed-odds telephone betting service with credit account options for players.
Debit Betting – Top fixed-odds telephone betting service within the industry with one of their debit accounts.
Hedging – They will take on some of the largest bets in the industry with their hedging service.
Summary
Greyhound betting is a fun and exciting way to add a little extra excitement to your favorite races. With so many different tracks and events to choose from, there’s always a race to bet on.
Just remember to find a reputable online sportsbook with competitive odds, learn the different types of bets, and study the sport to give yourself the best chance to win your wagers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to bet on greyhounds?
There is no definitive answer to this question. Some people prefer to bet on greyhounds based on statistics and past performance, while others prefer to follow their gut instinct.
Ultimately, the best way to bet on greyhounds is whatever method yields the best results for the individual bettor.
We recommend taking time to develop a greyhound betting strategy that works for you and sticking to it.
Consider also joining or betting through a greyhound racing club or syndicate, as this can give you access to insider information and tips.
How often do greyhound favorites win?
Again, there is no definitive answer to this question, as it can vary greatly depending on the individual race and the greyhounds involved.
However, some studies have shown that greyhound favorites win around 30% of the time.
There’s even the concept of a false favorite, which can throw off your judgment when placing bets.
A false favorite is a greyhound that is considered to be the favorite to win a race but is actually less likely to win than other greyhounds in the race.
This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as the greyhound being overbet by the public or having an inexperienced trainer.
Which greyhound box wins the most?
The winning box can vary greatly from race to race but some studies have shown that the inside boxes (1, 2, and 3) have the highest winning percentage, while the outside boxes (7, 8, and 9) have the lowest winning percentage.
It’s believed that the inside boxes have a shorter distance to run to the first turn, while the outside boxes have a longer distance to run.
This gives the greyhounds in the inside boxes a slight advantage, which can lead to more wins. This knowledge can help you make more informed bets and shape your strategy around box positions.
Can you make money laying greyhounds?
Yes, you can make money by betting against (laying) greyhounds.
This is also known as taking the favorite.
The key to making money by laying greyhounds is to find races where the favorite is overbet and therefore has a lower chance of winning than the odds suggest.
You can then bet against the favorite and stand to make a profit if it doesn’t win the race.
While there’s no surefire way to tell if a greyhound is a false favorite, there are some red flags to look out for.
For example, if a greyhound has been overbet, has an inexperienced trainer, or has been drawn in an outside box.
If you see any of these red flags, it’s worth doing further research on the race and the greyhounds involved before placing your bet.
Is greyhound racing fixed?
There are a number of reasons why people may think that greyhound racing is fixed but there is no concrete evidence to suggest that this is the case.
For example, the fact that there is often a lot of money at stake, the secretive nature of the sport, and the fact that some races are decided by very small margins.
However, it’s important to remember that greyhound racing is a sport and, like any sport, there is always the potential for corruption.
If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a race, we recommend not betting on it.
How much does a greyhound win?
The amount of money a greyhound can win depends on a number of factors, such as the type of race, the prize money, and the percentage of the winnings that go to the owner, trainer, and jockey.
For example, a greyhound that wins a sprint race may only take home a few hundred dollars, while a greyhound that wins a marathon race could take home tens of thousands of dollars.