WHILE YOU SHOULD never, ever, gamble more than you can afford to lose Cheltenham is one of those landmark sporting events that sees even the most unlikely punter have a flutter or two.
With that in mind, we thought now would be the perfect time to give you a basic guide to the different bets you could have this week.
Odds
Odds are there to show the likelihood of a particular horse winning a race and are shown in a number of different ways with the most popular being ‘bookmaker’ odds, i.e. 10/1, 25/1, etc.
Taking 10/1, this means that for every €1 you bet, you will receive €11 in return. This is made up of €10 winnings and your €1 initial bet.
Of course, not all odds are that simple so, for example, if you place €10 on a horse a 9/4 you will win €32.50. This works out as €22.50 winnings (or €9 for every €4 you bet) and your €10 stake.
If your horse is a strong favourite, the chances are they will be odds on. If it is a 1/3 favourite a €10 bet will return you €13.33 — €3.33 profit and your initial €10 bet.
Odds can also be displayed as decimals but generally only on exchanges. If you’re reading a beginners guide to betting we’re guessing you’re not going near the exchanges.
Types of single bets
Win
The simplest bet you can make. This is a straight bet at fixed odds and if your horse wins, you win.
Place
This is where you bet on a horse to finish either in the top two (5-7 horses in the race), three (8-15) or four (16+).
Each-way
Perhaps the most popular bet, it gives you a chance to both win and place. However, it will also cost you double the initial stake. For example, if you want to bet €5 each-way on a horse at 8/1 it will cost you €10. That is €5 for the win bet, and €5 for the place bet.
If the horse wins, you will receive €60. That consists of €40 for winning, €10 for placing — place odds are calculated at 1/4 of the original odds, in this case 2/1 — and your two €5 stakes returned.
If your horse finishes in the places but doesn’t win, you will receive €15. That is €10 for placing at 2/1 and your €5 place bet. You lose your €5 win bet though.
Types of Multiple bets
Double, treble and accumulator
In a double, you pick two horses in two different races. Both must win (or place if you bet each-way) for the bet to be successful. In a treble that increases to three and an accumulator is four or more selections.
Betting this way significantly increases the odds. For example, if you were to bet €10 each on four individual horses at 2/1, your return would be €120 (€80 profit and €40 in initial stakes returned).
If you were to back that as an accumulator though, your returns would be €810, €800 winnings and your €10 initial stake returned. The increased odds reflect how unlikely all four horses winning is.
Types of full cover bet
Trixie, Yankee, Super Yankee, Heinz, Goliath and Super Heinz
This is a bet that basically covers all possible doubles, trebles and accumulators across a number of selections. A Trixie consists of four separate bets – three doubles and a treble – of which two must win to gain a return.
A Yankee (four selections, 11 bets), Super Yankee (five selections, 26 bets) all the way up to Goliath (eight selections, 247 bets) are just variations on the same theme.
Each bet costs its own stake though so a €1 Goliath would cost €247 to place.
Patent, Lucky 15, Lucky 31, Lucky 63
This is similar to the above but you also bet singles (as described above) on top of doubles and trebles. For example, a Patent is the same as a Trixie plus three single bets, i.e. a wager of seven bets – three singles, three doubles and a treble.
As above, each separate bet must have it’s own stake so these types of bets can be costly.
And that’s about it. You don’t have to have a whole lot riding on a race for it to be exciting — and certainly shouldn’t gamble more than you can afford to lose — but if you do decide to part with your hard-earned €10, at least you now know what your options are.
So, anybody any tips for Cheltenham?
Some serious young talent coming through at Munster, first time you can say that in about 20 years.
@Hud Hastings: Hoping to see Gleeson get a start soon. 6’4 and 116kg at just 19 is scary. Huge potential for the young lad. Can see Coombes moving to 6 in a season or two
@Frank Grimes: hour big is Quinn? You’d imagine he’d be the other starter with those two in a few years, with Hodnet, Kendelan in the mix too. Crazy exciting again
@Ciaran Kennedy: both Hodnett and Kendellan are smart operators but I just feel they’re too small for top level.
Tony butler also an underage hurler for Clare. Won a Harty with St.flannans at wing back in 2020
@Dec: he’s a savage loss to Clare hurling. Ditto O’Connor for Cork.
Munster getting a look at their second row future when one or both of their WC winners go at the end of the season. Both will be in demand at the end of their contracts. Can’t see the IRFU letting the two stay especially when talents like ahern and Edogbo are coming through. Will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
@Kevin: don’t see why not. Most sides play 3 secondrows every game so the 2 youngsters will get plenty of game time and learn from one of the best. As a leinster fan I hope both are allowed to stay.
@chris mcdonnell: no problem with them staying either. It’s an attritional position so the two Irish lads will see plenty of time. Just wonder will nucifora/humphries see it the same way. On a human level Kleyn has put down real roots marrying a Galway girl. It would be hugely unfair to not renew his deal.
@Kevin: There’s also Beirne of course. I imagine Kleyn will stay, but the last season for RG. (Well, unless there’s some combination of big money coming in to keep RG and one of the young lads being loaned out to get playing experience elsewhere)
@Kevin: well said regarding Kleyn. I think he has more than earned that from the IRFU from his commitment to rugby in Ireland. He has given his best years here.
@Kevin: hasn’t he a brother that’s a back?
Like this team, hope they can deliver. Great to finally see Quinn come through again, v lively player with huge potential. For all the talk of Frische he’s not even in match day squad. Really hope he’s not injured or some such. Coughlan has been decent but really interested to see Casey and Patterson battle it out this season.
Really exciting bench. Archer aside, those players are could be the future of munster rugby for years to come. Coupled with some youth in the starting line up and all of a sudden the pipeline looks in pretty good health.
As a leinster fan I am getting a bit worried about the backrow talent coming through at Munster. If you throw in Ahern and Crowley, they have an exciting looking team which can only be good for Ireland going forward
Jeez.. Every time Carberry gets in a good groove he breaks again. Aaaagh
Looks like Coombes will become a second row when Gleeson gets the 8 spot. I believe he could flourish there.
@Tom Reilly: are a 6 they have like 8 second row’s
@Sèan: 6 could be a good option when POM retires.
@Tom Reilly: Gonna be a big year for Coombs. Doris didn’t light up the wc like I had thought he would so the door may still be open for him, but he needs to find the form that saw him the top try scorer a few seasons back. Haven’t even considered Okoke who’s been invisible since his one decent showing last season too.
@Tom Reilly: the SA number 8 is 38 i think lets give pete 4 more years
@Thesaltyurchin: I think he got injured but may now have missed his window opportunity with the likes of Gleeson & Quinn coming through.
@Thesaltyurchin: invisible as in injured for most of last season?
@Pierce O’Hehir: Whatever you like really.