Greyhound Betting Odds and Markets

Greyhound racing runs almost every day of the year and the fields are small, which changes how the markets behave. Six or eight runners rather than sixteen means shorter prices, fewer place dividends and exotics that are far more achievable than their thoroughbred equivalents. This guide covers every bet type and how each is settled.

Prices below are examples used to show the maths. For today’s fields and live pricing, see the latest greyhound odds at betr.

How greyhound racing works

Most Australian greyhound races carry eight runners, though some fields go off with six. Each dog is drawn a box from 1 to 8 and wears a coloured rug matching that box number: red for 1, black for 2, white for 3, blue for 4, yellow for 5, green for 6, black and white stripes for 7 and pink for 8.

Races are run over sprint, middle and staying distances, most commonly between 300 and 600 metres, and a sprint is over in around 30 seconds.

The box draw matters more than almost any other factor. Greyhounds have a preferred running style, and where they begin dictates whether they get a clear run to the first turn. Railers hug the inside and want an inside box. Wide runners want the outside. A railer drawn in box 8 has to cross the field to get to the fence, which is where most interference happens.

Greyhound bet types explained

Win

Your dog has to finish first. A $20 win bet at $4.50 returns $90.

Prices are generally shorter than thoroughbred racing because the fields are smaller. In an eight dog field each runner starts with a bigger share of the market than in a sixteen horse race.

Place

Your dog has to finish in the placings. In fields of eight, the first three pay. In fields of five to seven, the first two pay.

Because fields are small, place prices in greyhound racing are short. A $4.50 winner might only be $1.80 to place.

Each way

A win bet and a place bet on the same dog, so the cost is doubled. A $20 each way bet costs $40. If the dog wins, both parts pay. If it runs second or third in a field of eight, only the place part pays.

Quinella

Pick the first two home in any order. One of the most popular greyhound bets, because with only eight runners the quinella is genuinely achievable.

Exacta

Pick the first two home in the correct order. Longer than the quinella because the order matters. Boxing an exacta covers both orders.

Trifecta

Pick the first three home in the correct order.

Boxing three runners costs six units, since three dogs can fill the first three placings six different ways. Boxing four costs 24 units.

Greyhound trifectas pay well relative to how hard they are, because interference at the first turn regularly scrambles the expected result.

First four

Pick the first four home in the correct order. Boxing four runners costs 24 units and boxing five costs 120. In an eight dog field this is far more achievable than the same bet on a big thoroughbred field, which is reflected in the dividends.

Quaddie

Pick the winner of four nominated races at a meeting. You can take multiple runners in each leg, and the cost is the number of selections per leg multiplied together. Three dogs in each of four legs costs 81 units.

Flexi betting

Flexi lets you take a percentage of a full exotic rather than the whole outlay. If a combination costs $81 and you want to spend $20, you hold about 24 per cent of the bet and collect about 24 per cent of the dividend if it lands.

Same Race Multi

Combine two or more dogs from the same race into one bet at bigger odds. Each runner can be backed to win, or to finish top 2, top 3 or top 4. betr allows up to four legs in a Same Race Multi.

Multi bets

Combine selections across different races, with the odds multiplied together. Every leg must win. betr accepts two to twelve legs and you can mix greyhounds, thoroughbreds, harness and sport in the same multi.

Fixed odds and tote

Fixed odds lock in your price when the bet is placed. Back a dog at $7.00 and it firms to $4.50, you keep the $7.00.

Tote pools all bets together, deducts a commission and divides the remainder among winning tickets, so the dividend is only known once the race is settled. Tote derived products including Best Tote, Middle Tote, Top Fluctuation, Best of the Best and Starting Price are also available on greyhound racing.

Scratchings and deductions

If a dog you backed at fixed odds is scratched after final acceptances, your stake is refunded. Deductions may then be applied to remaining fixed odds bets in that race, sized according to the scratched runner’s price.

Scratchings matter more in greyhound racing than they might appear. Removing a dog changes the shape of the race entirely, since the field spreads across fewer boxes and a runner that was going to be squeezed at the turn may now get a clear run.

What to look for in the form

Box draw and running style. Match the dog to the box. A confirmed railer drawn wide has to cross traffic. A wide runner drawn on the fence can get pinned.

Early speed. Greyhound races are frequently decided at the first turn. A dog that begins quickly and leads to the corner avoids the interference that ruins most runs.

Distance suitability. A sprinter stretched out to a staying trip is a different proposition. Check the dog has run the distance competitively.

Track and grading. Times vary by track, so compare like with like. Grading tells you the class of race, and a dog stepping up in grade faces a harder task than its recent form suggests.

Major greyhound races

The richest races on the Australian greyhound calendar include the Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park, the Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park and the Australian Cup at The Meadows. Group racing carries deeper markets and heats leading into finals, which creates all-in betting opportunities before final fields are known.

How to bet on greyhounds with betr

Find your meeting, open the race, tap a runner to add it to your betslip, choose your bet type and stake, then confirm.

• Full form and Blackbook are available on greyhound racing, so you can follow individual dogs and get an SMS when one is next racing.
• Race reminders can be set for 1, 3, 5, 10 or 15 minutes before the advertised jump.
• Phone betting on racing is available on 1800 797 066.
• Rapid Withdrawals are processed multiple times a day, seven days a week.

See today’s greyhound racing at betr.

Greyhound betting FAQs

How does greyhound betting work?

You back a dog to win or to place, or combine runners in an exotic such as a quinella, trifecta or first four. Fixed odds lock in your price when you bet, while tote products settle on a pool after the race. Betting closes when the race jumps.

How many dogs are in a greyhound race?

Most Australian greyhound races have eight runners, drawn in boxes 1 to 8, though some fields go off with six. Each box has its own coloured rug.

Why does the box draw matter in greyhound racing?

Because greyhounds have preferred running styles and the box dictates whether they get a clear run to the first turn. A railer wants an inside box, a wide runner wants an outside box, and a mismatch means crossing traffic where most interference happens.

How many placings pay in greyhound racing?

In fields of eight, the first three placings pay. In fields of five to seven, the first two pay. Fields of four or fewer generally have no place betting.

What is a greyhound quinella?

A bet on the first two dogs home in any order. It is one of the most popular greyhound bets because small fields make it far more achievable than the equivalent bet on a large thoroughbred field.

What is a boxed trifecta?

A trifecta that covers every possible finishing order of your selections. Boxing three dogs costs six units because three runners can fill the first three placings six different ways. Boxing four costs 24 units.

What is a first four in greyhound racing?

A bet on the first four dogs home in the correct order. Boxing four runners costs 24 units and boxing five costs 120. Small fields make this bet more achievable than on the thoroughbreds.

What is Flexi betting?

Flexi lets you take a percentage of a full exotic rather than the whole outlay. If a combination costs $81 and you stake $20, you hold about 24 per cent and collect about 24 per cent of the dividend if it lands.

Can I bet a Same Race Multi on greyhounds?

Yes. Combine two or more dogs from the same race, each to win or to finish top 2, top 3 or top 4, into a single bet at bigger odds. betr allows up to four legs.

What happens if a greyhound is scratched?

If you backed it at fixed odds after final acceptances, your stake is refunded. Deductions may be applied to remaining fixed odds bets in that race, sized according to the scratched runner’s price.

What are the biggest greyhound races in Australia?

The richest include the Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park, the Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park and the Australian Cup at The Meadows. Group races run heats into finals, which creates all-in betting opportunities before final fields are known.

Gamble responsibly

You must be 18 or over. Set a deposit limit at any time in your account, and if you need a break, BetStop is available at betstop.gov.au. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.