With a large number of dog racing tracks spread throughout the UK, there are plenty of opportunities for greyhound betting. But it’s not just at the track you can place a greyhound bet, there are also plenty of betting sites that offer this popular market.
So if you’re interested in greyhound betting, then we’ve put together a handy little guide that walks you through all the aspects of placing a greyhound bet. This includes the best betting sites and apps, betting strategies and the different types of bets that can be placed.
A Brief History of Greyhound Racing and Betting
Greyhound racing in the UK has a rich and storied history, tracing its roots back to the early 20th century. The sport gained popularity as a form of entertainment and betting activity, with its origins often attributed to Owen Patrick Smith, who introduced the first modern greyhound race at Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester in 1926.
Throughout the 20th century, greyhound racing continued to grow in popularity, with numerous tracks opening across the UK. The sport became a staple of British culture, attracting crowds to stadiums nationwide. In the years following World War II, greyhound racing experienced a surge in popularity, becoming one of the most attended spectator sports in the country.
During its peak in the mid-20th century, greyhound racing was not only a popular pastime but also a significant betting activity. Betting on greyhound races became ingrained in the culture, with spectators wagering on their favourite dogs to win, place, or show. This added an extra level of excitement and engagement to the sport, further cementing its status as a mainstay of British leisure activities.
However, in more recent decades, the popularity of greyhound racing has faced challenges. Changes in societal attitudes towards animal welfare, coupled with increased competition from other forms of entertainment and betting, have led to a decline in attendance at tracks across the UK. Despite this, greyhound racing continues to have a dedicated fan base and remains a prominent fixture in the British betting landscape.
Today, greyhound racing in the UK is regulated by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), which oversees the welfare and integrity of the sport. While the number of tracks has decreased over the years, there are still several venues where enthusiasts can experience the thrill of watching these magnificent animals compete. With its blend of speed, skill, and excitement, greyhound racing remains a beloved tradition in the UK, offering both entertainment and betting opportunities for fans old and new.
Best Greyhound Betting Sites
We appreciate some of you may be very experienced when placing a greyhound bet, and may just be looking for a new bookmaker. So we thought it would be good to get things going with our list of the best greyhound betting sites.
Above is a quick hit list of sites we feel are the best for a greyhound bet. If you take an instant fancy to any of them, simply follow the direct link provided and sign up, there may even be a bonus in it for you.
As you can imagine, with so many online betting sites to choose from, it can sometimes be tricky to pick out 5 of the best. So when it comes to reviewing greyhound betting sites, there are lots of factors we take in to consideration.
There are some standard elements we take into account such as reputation, betting payment methods, customer support and whether they are licenced by the UK gambling commission.
But as well as these, the best greyhound betting sites should also excel in the following dog racing specific areas, considering we’re looking to place a greyhound bet.
Greyhound Betting Offers
It’s common knowledge that bookmakers like to entice gamblers with lucrative new customer betting offers, but some bookies stop there. That’s why we’ve sought out bookmakers that offer various bonuses, boosted odds and even free wagers for your greyhound bet. Each of the greyhound betting sites in our list features these generous promotions, as well as various other benefits.
Live Greyhound Racing
Admittedly, we have always enjoyed our greyhound betting more when it’s been live during a night at the dogs. But we appreciate that’s not always and option, so that’s why we always look at live streaming options when selecting our list of best betting sites.
There’s something different about watching greyhounds race in real time, and our recommended sites offer the ability to place a greyhound bet and watch it play out live. They also offer streams from popular dog tracks in the UK and Ireland, as well as international race meetings.
Virtual Greyhound Betting
We currently live in a 24/7 society, and our betting habits appear to be no different. Even with different time zones and greyhound racing taking place throughout the world, there was still a gap in this betting market. That’s where Virtual greyhound racing comes in.
Virtual racing offers an alternative to traditional races, as it allows you to place a greyhound bet on simulated action anytime you like. But don’t worry, it’s much more sophisticated than the old school race nights run by your local Sunday league team or pub.
Greyhound racing can also be a very contentious issue with some people, including animal activists. So virtual greyhound racing also appeals to those who may not agree with the idea of actual dog racing, but who still love a good bet. We would recommend using Bet Victor for your virtual betting, as they have the best product around.
William Hill Greyhound Betting
You may have noticed that William Hill sit at the top of our list of best greyhound betting sites, that’s not just an accident. William Hill greyhound betting stands out above the rest, but it’s not just the odds available, there are several benefits to betting with one of Britain’s best bookies.
Yes you are going to get some of the best odds and most extensive markets for your greyhound bet, but there is so much more to William Hill. They offer a huge range of deposit options, including their very own Plus Card, as well as being able to monitor your shop bet online and even cash out early with their bet tracker.
When you combine everything William Hill have to offer, then it’s hard to see past them in favour of any other bookmaker. But there is one area where we don’t consider them to be the best.
Sky Bet Greyhounds
When considering which bookmaker to use for betting on greyhound racing, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of various options. While Sky Bet is a popular betting platform, thanks primarily to their link with sky sports, there are several reasons why we tend to avoid using sky greyhound betting:
- Limited Selection: Sky greyhound betting don’t offer the same breadth of markets and events compared to our top 5 greyhound racing bookmakers. This limited selection could restrict your options and potentially limit your ability to find the best value bets or desired race types.
- Odds and Pricing: The odds and pricing offered by Sky Bet for greyhound racing isn’t always as competitive either, compared to our bookmakers that consistently offer better odds.
- Lack of Specialized Features: Dedicated greyhound racing bookmakers, like those mentioned above, often provide specialized features tailored specifically to the needs of greyhound racing enthusiasts. These include promotions and bonuses that aren’t offered with Sky Bet greyhounds
We appreciate that telling you which betting site not to use is a little unorthodox, but while they receive a lot of promotion on their sports network, we have always found sky bet greyhounds, and the platform in general, severely lacking.
Best Greyhound Bet App
This is one area we found William Hill could be beaten on and why we felt it was worth separating, as we know a lot of people value their mobile betting above all else. The best greyhound bet app may not actually come as much of a surprise either.
When it comes to mobile betting, you absolutely can’t go wrong with the bet365 app. As Britain’s biggest bookmaker, it’s no surprise that they also top the greyhound bet app market. As a truly unique bookmaker, their app also adopts a unique and easy to use interface.
Finding greyhound betting markets, and any other sports, on the bet365 betting app is really easy. Funding your betting account is also fast and secure with bet365, with most deposits being available within seconds and lots of payment options at your disposal. When it comes to greyhound app betting, this is something that sites similar to bet365 cant compete with.
How to Place a Greyhound Bet
If you are new to this betting market, placing your greyhound bet will be quick and easy, simply follow these few steps and you will be roaring on the dogs as they chase that rabbit around the track.
- Choose a Bookmaker: Using our list of best greyhound betting sites, identify the one you want to use. Click on the link to visit the bookie and you’ll be prompted to complete the registration process.
- Open Your Account: You can create a new account quickly by entering a few basic details, such as your name, address, date of birth and email address. You will also be prompted to choose a unique username and set up a secure password. This is how you will log in for future greyhound betting.
- Make a Deposit: To place your first greyhound bet, you will need to add funds to your betting wallet. To do this, simply visit the cashier section and choose your preferred betting payment method, then simply follow the on screen prompts to make the payment.
- Choose a Bet: Now you have funds available, you now want to find your greyhound bet. Use the bookies menu to locate greyhound racing, where you will find a list of the races at various venues. Simply choose the dog you like the look of and add it to your betting slip.
- Place a Bet: So you have the greyhound bet on your slip, now it’s time to back it. You will have several types of bet available, greyhound bet types are detailed below, select the one you want, enter your stake and hit place bet.
See, we told you it was easy to place a greyhound bet, and now you have your account set up, it will be even easier second time around.
Greyhound Betting Markets
Just like with most sports, there are various specific greyhound betting markets for you to choose from. In fact it’s one of the main reasons we enjoyed a night at the dog track. The appeal lies in the fact that it can be much more than just a simple win bet.
Our first trip to Belle Vue was fun but there were several opportunities missed as we didn’t have a clear understanding of the bets available. So with that in mind, we felt it was best to provide a breakdown of the typical bets you should know about and likely be faced with.
Win Bet
This is a bet where you will back the dog you think will win a race. You need your greyhound to win, to receive a payout, any other result and your bet loses.
Place Bet
In a place bet, you are predicting your greyhound finish in either first or second place in their race. If it finishes in third or lower, you lose.
It’s worth noting that, you will win the same amount no matter which paying position the dog finishes in.
Show Bet
A show bet will pay out if your chosen greyhound finishes anywhere in the top three. The bet loses if the dog finishes in fourth place or lower.
Across the Board
Across the board means you are making separate win, place, and show bets on the same greyhound. Each bet will pay out individually, which means that if your dog finishes first, you’ll win all three bets, second you’ll win 2 bets and third will win one bet.
Forecast
In a forecast, your goal is to predict both the winning and the second-place greyhound. In order to win, you must not only select the right two dogs, but pick them in the correct order.
Reverse Forecast
A reverse forecast is similar to a straight forecast, where you to pick the greyhounds that will finish first and second. But this time the reverse forecast will pay out if both dogs finish 1st or 2nd in any order.
Odd/Even
In an odd/even bet, you can cover half of the field of a race with a single bet. By choosing odd you back all dogs with an odd trap number i.e. 1, 3 and 5. If you choose even, you back all dogs with an even trap number i.e. 2, 4 or
Inside Outside
The inside/outside is similar to an odd/even bet, but this time you are backing dogs in the inside three or outside three traps
It’s worth noting that the odds differ significantly between bets, as does the cost of each bet, for example; Show bets pay out at lower rates than place bets, which pay less than win bets.
Greyhound Betting Tips
If you have never placed a greyhound bet or are just looking for a little guidance, following some poor results. Then you may find the following greyhound betting tips useful. Betting on greyhound racing takes skill and experience, if you aspire to become a profitable punter. So these tips are generally what we factor in to our bets, and could give you a head start.
Form & Performance
Assessing the recent form and performance of a greyhound is essential. Look at their past races, finishing positions, and times. Consistency and recent successes can be indicators of a strong contender.
But if you have the time, it’s also worth looking at the other dogs they raced against. Running in a weak field can make a dog look good, whereas there is hidden value in dogs that run well against strong opposition.
Track Conditions
Pay attention to the track conditions, as they can significantly affect a greyhound’s performance. Although it’s not as impactful, factors such as weather and track conditions can all influence race outcomes.
Box Draw
The starting position, or box draw, can play a crucial role in a greyhound’s chances of success. Some tracks or distances may favour certain box positions, so consider how each greyhound’s starting position may impact its race.
Class & Distance
Consider the class of the race and the distance being run. Some greyhounds may excel over shorter distances, while others perform better over longer distances. Additionally, higher-class races may feature more competitive fields.
Trainer & Kennel
Evaluate the reputation and track record of the greyhound’s trainer and kennel. Experienced trainers with a history of success may have a better understanding of how to prepare their dogs for optimal performance.
Betting Odds and Market Trends
Analyse the betting odds and market trends to identify potential value bets. Keep an eye on how the odds change leading up to the race, as this can indicate where the money is flowing and which greyhounds are receiving support from bettors.
Risk Management
Finally, practice sound risk management principles when betting on greyhound racing. Set a budget for your bets, avoid chasing losses, and consider using betting strategies such as staking plans to manage your bankroll effectively.
By taking these considerations into account, you can make more informed betting decisions and increase your chances of success when wagering on greyhound racing.
Best Greyhound Betting Strategy
Greyhound betting Strategies, or staking plans, are used to manage betting bankrolls effectively and minimize the risk of losing large amounts of money. These plans involve determining how much money to wager on each bet based on various factors such as the perceived risk of the bet, the size of the bankroll, and confidence in selections.
There are several different types available, each with its own principles and methods. So there is no one true best greyhound betting strategy, as it all depends on individual preferences and level of risk. Some common staking plans include:
- Fixed Stake: In a fixed stake strategy, you wager a consistent amount of money on each bet, regardless of the odds or perceived risk. This approach provides simplicity and consistency but may not account for differences in the quality of bets or your confidence levels.
- Percentage of Bankroll: With a percentage of bankroll strategy, you wager a set percentage of a total bankroll on each bet. This allows for flexibility, as the bet size adjusts based on the size of the bankroll, helping to protect against large losses during losing streaks and maximize profits during winning streaks.
- Kelly Criterion: The Kelly Criterion is a mathematical formula used to determine the optimal size of a bet based on the perceived edge or advantage in a bet and your bankroll. It aims to maximize the expected growth of the bankroll over time while minimizing the risk of ruin. The Kelly Criterion takes into account the probability of winning and the odds offered by the bookmaker.
- Martingale System: The Martingale system is a progressive greyhound betting strategy where the bettor doubles their bet size after each loss, with the aim of recovering previous losses and making a profit. While this approach can lead to rapid recovery of losses in the short term, it carries a high risk of large losses during extended losing streaks and requires a large bankroll to sustain.
- Labouchere System: The Labouchere system, also known as the cancellation system, involves creating a sequence of numbers that represent the desired profit goal. You then wager an amount equal to the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence. If the bet wins, those numbers are crossed off the sequence, and if it loses, the amount wagered is added to the end of the sequence. The goal is to cross off all numbers in the sequence to achieve the desired profit.
Greyhound betting strategies are designed to help manage bankrolls prudently and optimize betting over the long term. However, it’s essential to choose a one that aligns with your risk tolerance, betting goals, and betting style, and to exercise discipline and consistency when implementing it.
Summary of Placing a Greyhound Bet
Placing a greyhound bet in the UK offers a thrilling blend of excitement, strategy, and tradition. Before placing your bets, it’s essential to consider factors such as form and performance, track conditions, as well as possible betting strategies to make informed decisions and maximize your chances of success.
Our dedicated greyhound racing bookmakers will provide a more tailored experience with specialized features and competitive odds. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a newcomer to the world of greyhound betting, the thrill of watching these magnificent animals compete at top speeds remains unmatched.
If you enjoyed this greyhound betting guide, then you may also like our guides to GAA betting, NFL betting, Cheltenham Festival betting and Grand National betting.