Horse racing might not be as popular as football, but the sport plays an important role in many countries, including Ireland.

Betting on horse races is popular even among people who are not huge fans of the sport. That is why many inexperienced bettors decide to put their luck to the test and wager on some of the popular races.

Needless to say, rookies often make mistakes, some of which can cost them a lot of money. No one likes losing, which is why some betting fans insist on doing lots of research before they place their bets.

Here is a quick overview of the most common mistakes made by inexperienced punters who like horse racing.

Do not bet on markets that you are not familiar with

Every online bookmaker wants to offer its iGaming fans as many options as possible. For example, the most trusted horse racing bookmakers from Silentbet are known for their attractive odds and unique markets, which allow people to avail of multiple options.

The fact that you have more options to use while wagering is a plus, but only if you know how to take advantage of them. Unfortunately, people who are just getting started with punting on horse racing will most likely have problems picking the most appropriate options. In some cases, the horse betting markets considered to be more complicated offer higher odds, which lures inexperienced people.

While it is true that they can get lucky, it is not recommended for online bettors to wager on markets they are not familiar with. The fact that they offer way higher odds means that they are more complicated to predict.

For example, some websites offer a market called “to win by +1 lengths”, which means your horse has to win by at least one length for you to collect.

The odds for these kinds of markets are high, but they are not for someone who doesn’t have in-depth knowledge about horse racing.

Keep yourself well-informed on racing news

Another common mistake that causes problems for inexperienced bettors is not keeping up with the latest news, such as jockey changes, trainer plans and weather conditions.

Finding a suitable platform where you can read the news is not always easy, especially in some parts of the world. Fortunately, many of the big sports news sites cover the major horse races.

As a result, you can keep track of new information and use it to your advantage. Sometimes, this information may help you choose a different horse to bet on if the one you were interested has met with a training setback.

Pay close attention to bonus offers

Every online bookmaker that offers horse racing wants to gain as many customers as possible. Online bettors who take a look at Silentbet’s list with the best horse racing bookmakers will notice that some companies are very active in marketing their websites and special offers.

Some bonuses are worth chasing, others aren’t because they involve too much risk. Be careful when bookmakers offer you free bets or free credits for other parts of their iGaming. Stick to what you know.