Betting On The Grand National
Betting on horses has never been easier than it is now making for a much more enjoyable and inclusive pastime than it ever was before.
In the past putting a wager on a horse (or any other competition) could be seen as something you needed to grit your teeth for. Visiting the bookmaker ‘s shop (the bookies) never looked very inviting from the outside with its opaque windows and when you did go in you entered a smoke filled, male dominated world where the people were all studying newspapers and apparently speaking in code about Accumulators, Round robins and Yankees. It wasn’t very inviting and the staff usually expected you to know what you were doing. That has all changed now though.
Bookmakers shops are a lot nicer nowadays with some looking more like a cross between a TV showroom and a coffee shop, and the whole betting experience has been transformed. Most of this has been driven by the rise and ease of online betting making it much more accessible, particularly for women and people unsure of how to even make a bet. This change makes occasional bets a much easier and attractive option.
The Grand National provides a great example of a race for exactly that group of people. Because the National is so popular many people want to make a bet on this one occasion. People often get involved through a draw at work but many would also like to put a couple of pounds on a particular favourite (especially if they only got one of the outsiders in their draw).
Making an online bet has now never been easier; However, for many it could be a better choice to visit the “new improved” bookies shop for a one off or occasional bet as online betting can sometimes be too easy. The phrase “Never bet more than you can afford to lose” is an important one to remember.
One reason the Grand National is great choice for a one-off flutter is because the race itself is a one off, run over fences and a distance that happens only once a year. Because of this there isn’t much in the way of form so the lucky guess may work just as well as a lengthy study of every horse, rider and jockey. Therefore, everyone thinks that they can get lucky and pick a horse that can win. Some of the best techniques for selecting a winner can include a pin, a name that appeals, the jockey’s colours and so on. There have been 100/1 winners before and almost certainly will be again. No horse will ever be seen as an obvious winner for the Grand National, even up to the very last yard or two of the course.
To have a flutter, take a look at the entrants and the betting in the papers then visit a bookmaker or use an online betting company (all the big name, reputable companies have their own sites) then just put a few pounds on. Not so much money that you would regret losing but just enough to add a little more spice to watching the race and hopefully pay for a couple of celebratory drinks afterwards.
Remember as well that you don’t just have to bet on a win; you can also take an Each Way bet which effectively means you put two bets on the one horse – one for a win and one for a place. For example, if you ask for a £5 each way bet the bookmaker will put £5 on a win and £5 on a place for the same horse, total cost to you, £10. The benefit is that if your horse doesn’t win but takes second, third or fourth places you still make a return. Places get a lower return than a win but can make great sense in a race like the National where the horse could have quite long odds against him.
Good luck, just enjoy taking part.