In fast month's P.P.M. we began our 100 Great Betting Ideas series. Sixteen ideas were listed. In this second article, we take a look at another 20 betting tips.

Staking is a key part of any punter's betting armoury. To win, a punter has to ensure his staking is sound. Bad staking can lead you into betting peril. Take a look at the following ideas, and check if they can help your betting strategy. We begin with No. 17 in our list of 100 betting ideas.

  1. TALKING MONEY

    Money talks, as they say on the Stock Exchange. But it talks just as eloquently in racing. The betting market can provide many clues to prospects. Take note of shorteners on-course, especially if the horses involved come from powerful stables with a history of being right!
  2. GETTING YOURSELF A BANK

    Faint heart never won a fair maiden - and it will never make you a fortune at the races. The first thing any serious bettor must do is get together a betting bank. A set amount. Along with this must come a notebook in which to write down all bets.
  3. KEEPING SERIOUS RECORDS

    When you list your bets, don't just scribble down the 'out and in' tally. List each bet separately and make sure you note which type of bet it was - win, place, quinella etc. After a time you will soon understand which types of bets are making your profits - and which are losing your cash.
  4. BEWARE OF PROGRESSIONS

    There is much to be said for, and against, progression betting. The punter who wants to 'go easy' should stick to level stakes betting. When you get more confident, you can switch to betting to price value. Progression betting can be okay but it often depends on your winners falling in the right spots.
  5. DON'T BET THE RENT

    It should go without saying that you should never bet with money that is supposed to go for other purposes. Scared money rarely multiplies. Bet only with money you can truly afford to lose.
  6. PROTECTING YOUR BANK

    Never 'go mad' and risk all, or almost all, your capital. A steady approach is safest, but don't be too coy. A certain amount of adventurous spirit is needed to grab decent profits.
  7. FOOLS RUSH IN . . .

    The betting ring is a hectic place. Panic easily sets in. When the bookies put up the first prices, resist the temptation to rush in and take opening prices. Bookies usually tread very warily with their initial quotes. The wise punters wait for the market to settle down.
  8. THE PRICE FLUCS

    Prices will go up and down in the betting ring. Generally, if a horse starts to firm it will continue to do so. If it starts to ease, it will generally keep easing. Bear this in mind. If a horse opens at 2/1 and firms to 7/4, it would be wise to snap up the 7/4 because the horse is very likely to hit 6/4. If a horse opens at 2/1 then eases to 5/2 and gets no business at that quote it is very likely to ease further to 11/4 or 3/1.
  9. THE LOSING RUNS

    It's great to back longshot winners, but always remember that the longer the prices of your bets the more likely you are to hit long losing runs. This is why longshot backers should use a smaller portion of their bank as a bet size.
  10. THE PITFALLS OF PLACES

    Place betting can seem attractive but divs are small. A minor losing run can prove financially embarrassing. If you must bet for a place, consider links of two and three horses in doubles and trebles, preferably trebles (all-ups).
  11. GET THE VALUE ...

    It cannot be emphasised enough that to be successful a punter must obtain as much value as possible. He must desist from betting if the value is not there. This requires discipline and a certain courage. Bet only when you know, or believe, the price is right.
  12. THE CASE FOR MULTIPLE BETS

    Many punters lock themselves into betting one horse a race. If you feel there are two or more chances, you can decide not to bet, or you can back both (or more) horses, providing you can still achieve some true value on the bet. Backing two horses at 4/1 means you are really accepting odds of 6/4 about a win. Doesn't seem so attractive, does it? If Horse A wins at 4/1, you get back $5, but you have outlaid $2 to get that $5, so your profit is $3.
  13. AVOIDING LOSERS ...

    Always remember that a loser avoided is really a winner! Consider your bets carefully and never be afraid to say 'no' to yourself. Unless you are confident, don't bother betting. You'll avoid more losers than the winners you'll miss.
  14. TIME SET ASIDE

    Even if you are only a keen amateur punter, you should always adopt a professional attitude. Set aside special time each day for your racehorse study. One hour a day will allow you to read all you can, check back on your betting, and even view video replays, or check out camera charts from the formguides. Make it a habit.
  15. ELIMINATE SLAPDASH BETS

    It goes without saying that slapdash bets will, in the end, kill you. Don't pop into the TAB, scan the sheets and have a bet just for the sake of having a bet. This is like buying a lottery ticket. Serious punters don't need to do this at all. 
  16. THE BIGGER THEY GET..

    There is a strong school of thought which says that the longer the price the more you should put on. If your selection assessment is correct, then this is certainly an approach to consider. Don't be afraid of betting against the mass (see Idea No. 14 in January P.P.M.).
  17. DON'T BE TOO GREEDY

    We're all greedy to a certain extent. It's why we bet. But sometimes it pays not to be too greedy. When you are seeking value don't hold out for more and more. It could happen that by hanging around for 16/1 when 14/1 is on offer you end up accepting 12/1! The betting market can suddenly go in the opposite direction to what you want.
  18. CONSIDER THE GET-OUT

    A lot of pro punters around the world are quite happy to get out when they are ahead. Once a profit is achieved, they stop betting for the day. You might like this idea. Other bettors like to chase hard when they're ahead. US pro Andy Beyer says if you want to save profits then get into insurance.
  19. TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY

    You should never forget that racing rolls around just about every day of the week. There's no shame in shutting up shop before a meeting is over. You should bet to your plan, then pack up. Don't worry about missing a horse because of bad value - tomorrow is another day and that means more race meetings.
  20. AVOID THE CREDIT TRAP

    Betting on credit is a dangerous game. Always bet with the cash you have. Credit betting leads punters to lose control of themselves and when the day of reckoning comes it can be a shocker. When you bet, pay the money at the same time. 

NEXT MONTH. Another 20 betting ideas -from looking at form to going to the track. 

Click here to read Part 3.
Click here to read Part 4.
Click here to read Part 5.
Click here to read Part 1.

By Martin Dowling

PRACTICAL PUNTING - FEBRUARY 1995