In traditional betting, it can be tough to pick a winner. For this reason horse racing in betting exchanges is gaining popularity, because bettors use horse race lay betting, where they bet on a horse not to win. There are many popular horse race lay betting strategies that can help bettors make more successful bets.
What is Horse Race Lay Betting?
In a traditional sportsbook, bettors pick a horse to win the race and they bet on it. There are betting platforms called betting exchanges where bettors are allowed to do the opposite. They can pick a horse that they believe will lose the race and they can bet on it to not win. These types of bets are called lay bets. If the horse finishes second or worse, the bet wins. If the horse wins the race, the bet loses.
In betting exchanges, the odds are set by the bettors themselves and there is not a bookmaker involved. These odds represent the public sentiment of the market. Bettors can accept the odds already offered or modify them and offer their own waiting for another bettor in the platform to take on their bet.
Popular Horse Race Lay Betting Strategies
Laying the Favorite
Laying the favorite is one of the most popular horse race lay betting strategies. In betting exchanges, favorites are often overbet by casual bettors who think that the favorite will always win. However, statistics show that favorites only win about 30-40% of races. This means that they lose more often than they win.
By laying the favorite, bettors are betting against the horse that is expected to win. This strategy can be very effective in races with strong competition, where the favorite might not have a very strong edge over the other horses.
In order to use this strategy, bettors look for races where the favorite is priced very low and there is also strong competition. Before laying it, bettors do research on the form of that favorite horse. If it has been inconsistent or has not done very well in certain conditions, it can be worth laying. Bettors also check if the favorite has suffered a recent injury or is racing after a long break. Horses returning from a break often take time to get back to their best form.
Laying Horses with Poor Recent Form
Another strong horse race lay betting strategy is to lay horses with poor recent form. With this strategy bettors bet against horses that have not well in their last few races. A horse may have a good reputation or may have won big races in the past, but if its recent performance has been poor, it is often a good option for laying.
Horses with poor recent form may still be popular in the betting market. The odds express the overall sentiment of the bettors in the betting exchange platform. Many times the actual chances of winning can be lower than expected. This opens up an opportunity to find good value for the bet and lay the horse.
In order to use this strategy, bettors check the last few races the horse has run. If the horse has finished outside the top three consistently, it could be a good lay option. Bettors look at the reasons behind the poor performance. An injury, a new trainer, an unsuitable race distance can affect how a horse’s performance negatively. Bettors see how the horse has done in comparison to the other horses in the race. If the horse has strong competition, it is an even better option for laying.
Laying based on Pace
Pace is an important factor in horse race lay betting. A good strategy is laying a horse that is likely to struggle with the pace of the race. Some horses prefer to lead from the front. Other horses like to run from behind. Understanding the pace of the race can help bettors lay horses that may not do well in the speed at which the race is run.
A horse might be known for starting fast but fades in the final stages. This horse could be a good option for laying if the race has a strong competition. Horses that burn out early often fail to win even if they start strong.
In order to use this strategy, bettors do their research about the pace of the race. If there are many horses that like to lead, the race may be run at a fast pace, which can tire out a horse that is a front-runner. Bettors look at past performances of a horse. If it has faded in the final stretch, this horse can be a good option for laying in fast-paced races.
In a Nutshell
Horse race lay betting can be a powerful tool when used with the right strategies. Laying the favorite, targeting horses with poor recent form or analyzing the pace of a race, bettors can raise their chances of winning. These strategies take time and practice, but they can help bettors have an edge over other bettors in the exchange and be more successful in laying horses.
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