How to Bet on Running Competitions

Every sport has fans who like to place bets. Running, in general, is no different. People have been betting on running competitions since the olden days. In fact, that is how some of the races came to be in the first place. The only difference between sports betting of the olden days and today’s betting is that today, most of the sports betting is being done online, via apps or alternative links that people visit for information about betting offers.

Of course, it is not enough to love watching people run and to have money. There are certain rules when it comes to betting on this sport and a few tips on how to do it efficiently.

What’s a Running Bet?

A running bet, interestingly enough, has nothing to do with running. It simply means that you are betting on a competition that has already started. You may know it under other names, such as live betting or in-play betting. This is just one of those terms that you probably don’t want to get mixed up.

Types of Bets

A search online can be pretty frustrating for punters. Oftentimes, search engines can’t differentiate between horse and car races, not to mention betting on people running. Never fear, I am here.

Betting on victory is called betting on someone “To Win Outright”. Simply choose the athlete you feel has the greatest chances of winning. Of course, as this is hard to predict, the odds are likely not going to be in your favour.

“H2H” stands for head-to-head. This bet takes your pick between two runners. It doesn’t matter who the winner of the event turns out to be, as long as your pick has a better time or finishes before the other runner in the bet.

For example, let’s say that there are two runners in an H2H bet: A and B. We’ll label the rest as C-I. You place an H2H bet on A. H wins, D comes in second, C third, A fourth, I fifth, and B sixth. You win the bet because A came before B.

Finally, we have something called “Top 3”. It’s a bet to accurately predict the first three runners of an event. You don’t have to guess the winner, just the first three athletes that finish the event. It’s a bit easier than picking a winner outright.

Which of These Bets Is the Best?

That’s hard to say and a bit of a loaded question. For the punters that are just getting into betting on running, I would suggest starting off with H2H bets. The payout isn’t great, but neither are the losses. It’s a pretty decent place to learn a thing or two about the runners in a competition and how they are perceived by the bookmakers.

Tips for Beginners

There are a few things every punter should know or consider before placing a bet. Here is a basic how-to guide.

Research

You need to know your pick, as well as their opponents. See whether they prefer indoor or outdoor events, how their season has been going so far, and whether there are any distractions in their personal life that could affect the outcome.

Reading the Odds

It’s tempting to bet on the underdog. However, there are no guarantees betting on favourites. There is no guarantee of anything, really. That’s why it’s a bet. This brings me to my next point.

Betting Is Nothing But Entertainment

What I mean to say is that it is not a way to earn money. If you think you can live comfortably by relying on your picks, think again or, better yet, walk away now. Only the bookkeepers earn money from the bets. The rest gamble. It is exciting, it is fun, and it is a thrill. However, it can’t replace a steady income.