It would seem that gone are the days when all you had to do to place a bet was to head to your local bookies. Even then the number of them around were few and far between and they certainly were not as glossy or as inviting as they are these days.

And while it is still absolutely possible to head to your high street bookmakers to place a bet, many people are now opening accounts and betting online.

There are a number of reasons for this development including the ease and convenience of being able to put a few quid on a horse or a football game no matter where you are.

You can often also find a huge amount of choice at your fingertips and take a look at betting options outside of the straight forward win or each-way bet.

Betting online also allows you to directly compare the odds on offer from multiple bookmakers. That means you can pick the best odds and therefore potentially increase the amount you take home. Of course, that’s assuming you win!

Working Out The Odds

If you’ve never placed a bet online before, then this handy guide to betting will tell you everything you need to know.

For those of you unsure about how bookmaker odds work, don’t worry; it’s very straightforward. In the UK odds are generally quoted as a fraction i.e. 10/1 or 25/1 etc…

The first number (10) represents the amount returned to you for a straight win bet and the second figure represents the unit stake needed to generate that return.

10/1 means you could win £10 for every £1 you bet. Wager £10 and you could win £100 and if you reduce the stake to £0.50p you could get £5.

If you lose, the bookmaker keeps your stake (the money you bet).

Now on any given horse race, including the Grand National, bookmakers will offer different odds on the same horse. So betting strategy number one is to shop around and make sure you’re getting value for money.

If the horse you like the look of is 25/1 on one bookmaker site and 33/1 on another then make sure you grab the higher odds to increase the amount you could potentially win.

Increasing Your Returns

If you’re a bit more familiar with betting online and want to increase your potential returns you could always look at Dutching as a betting strategy.

This is where you fancy two horses in a race and think they could each be in with a shout of winning so instead of putting all your money on one of them, split the cash and put half on each.

As long as one of them wins and the odds aren’t too short you should be able to at least get your stake back and in many cases make a profit.

It may be smaller than if you lumped all your money on it but it’s still a win!

What Does Non Runner Money back Mean?

Non Runner Money Back is a term used in betting that refers to a type of offer provided by bookmakers that allows you to receive a refund of your stake if the selection you have backed does not run in the race or event.

In the context of horse racing, for instance, if you place a bet on a particular horse to win the race, but that horse is subsequently declared a non-runner before the race begins, you will receive a refund of your stake.

This ensures that you do not lose your money due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a horse being withdrawn from the race due to injury or illness.

Non Runner Money Back offers can apply to a range of different types of bets, including single bets, multiples, and accumulator bets.

However, it’s important to note that the conditions of such offers can vary between different bookmakers, so it’s always a good idea to read the terms and conditions carefully before placing your bets.

Guide To Betting Ante Post In The Grand National

As far as betting strategies go, and certainly in horse racing, you can’t beat ante-post betting for getting the best odds available.

Ante-post odds are usually much higher BUT, and it’s a big BUT, if the horse you back doesn’t run, gets withdrawn or for any other reason and doesn’t start the race then your bet is gone.

You won’t get your money back.

Being new to horse racing betting can feel intimidating. You can always head to a bookmaker and the staff will be happy to answer your questions but if need more time to figure things out then online betting is a good option.

Every bookmaker has sections on guides to betting and the steps are clearly laid out making things very easy.

Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the basics then you can take some time to delve a little deeper into the various betting strategies that may offer better returns on your money.

Which Is The Best Online Betting Site?

If you’ve never opened an online betting account, you may be wondering where to start.

There are several factors you should consider when choosing an online bookmaker to place your bets.

Here are some important ones:

Reputation and Trustworthiness: Look for a bookmaker that has a good reputation and is trustworthy. Check reviews and ratings from other users and research the company’s background and history.

Range of Betting Markets: Look for a bookmaker that offers a wide range of sports, events, and betting markets. The more options you have, the more opportunities you will have to find profitable bets.

Odds and Prices: Compare the odds and prices offered by different bookmakers. Look for the bookmaker that offers the best value for your bets.

Bonuses and Promotions: Look for bookmakers that offer generous bonuses and promotions for new and existing customers. These can include welcome bonuses, free bets, and enhanced odds.

Payment and Withdrawal Methods: Look for bookmakers that offer a variety of payment and withdrawal methods that are convenient and secure.

Customer Service: Look for bookmakers that provide excellent customer service, with helpful and knowledgeable staff available to answer your questions and resolve any issues.

Mobile App and User Experience: Look for bookmakers that have a user-friendly mobile app and website. A good user experience will make it easy to place your bets and manage your account.

Overall, it’s important to do your research and compare different bookmakers before making a decision.

Don’t be swayed solely by attractive bonuses or promotions, but rather consider the overall quality of the bookmaker’s service and their reputation within the industry.

How To Collect Your Winnings From Online Betting

If you’re lucky enough to back a winner in the Grand National, you will want to know how you get your winnings!

Collecting your winnings from online betting depends on the payment and withdrawal options offered by the online bookmaker. Here are some common methods for withdrawing your winnings:

Debit Cards: In the UK bookmakers allow you to withdraw your winnings directly to your debit card. It is usually a very quick method as your debit card details are already logged on the system from when you open your online account.

Bank Transfer: This is the most common method for withdrawing your winnings. You will need to provide your bank account details to the bookmaker, and they will transfer the funds to your account.

E-wallets: E-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are also popular options for withdrawing your winnings. You will need to set up an account with the e-wallet provider and link it to your bookmaker account.

Cryptocurrency: Some bookmakers also allow you to withdraw your winnings in cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin.

To withdraw your winnings, you will need to go to the withdrawal section of the bookmaker’s website or mobile app and select your preferred withdrawal method.

Once your withdrawal has been approved by the bookmaker, the funds will be transferred to your chosen payment method.

It’s important to note that withdrawal times can vary depending on the payment method and bookmaker policies.