Many non-American players are stumped by the 8 dog races. Used to narrowing down 6 dogs to 1 or 2 potential winners, they balk when faced with 2 more dogs in the mix. However, it is actually not as difficult as it sounds. A good handicap is a good handicap.
If you can compare the qualities of 6 greyhounds, you can do the same with 8. The trick is to start right away by finding 2 greyhounds that are not really contenders, due to flaws in shape, class, or consistency.
This can be somewhat uncomfortable if you are the handicap type who is used to looking for winners rather than eliminating losers. However, with a little practice and patience, you can train yourself to look for weaknesses, rather than strengths.
Do any of the dogs seem like you are not in the right class for this race? Have any of them been running in lower grades, just moved up, and are competing against better dogs than they used to have? Is there a dog that hasn’t earned money in 3 or more races after moving up the grade? These are dogs that can generally be removed from restraint.
Once you’ve narrowed the field down to 2 dogs, you’ve arrived at what you’re used to doing: putting a 6-dog race at a disadvantage. Just carry on as you normally do when you are handicapped in greyhound racing in your home country, keeping in mind a couple of differences in betting practices in the US.
For example, if you’re really on a US track, don’t look for a sportsbook, because there aren’t any. There are only totes and usually betting machines that you can insert cash or a winning bet slip and bet privately. Many people prefer this way of betting, because it is visual and there is no possibility of making a mistake in your bet.
If you ARE betting on a US track, please note that unlike betting with bookmakers, the odds are not set until the bell rings to signal the close of bets and the start of the race . You can bet on a dog with odds of 15-1 and have a favorite fall 2-1 before he enters. So sometimes your reward is not what you think it will be. This is the reason why many non-US bettors prefer to bet online with a reputable betting company like Ladbrokes or someone similar.
Of course, the main thing is to choose the dog that enters and that is the same wherever you bet. Good handicapping skills are the same all over the world. Obtaining them takes time and practice and trying techniques in old programs, before depositing your money in an exchange or a bookmaker.