Don't force the bet - some thoughts about Multiples, Yankees and Lucky 15s

OLBG is the Great Barrier Reef of betting forums, rich with diverse and interesting sports fans.

The punters ebb and flow with the endless daily tide of betting predictions, always seeking to gain an edge on the bookmakers.

I would say though don't force the bet. 

A common topic currently discussed on the Horse Racing forums is the type of bet people like. 

Which bet has the greater chance of coming in? Which one represents the better value? 

Quite often punters are seeking the sure thing they can use to transform their double into a treble or their treble into a four-timer.

It reminds me of one of my personal betting tales.

Late January and it's Cheltenham trials day.

I'd watched The Morning Line and was studying the form in the paper and on the internet. I really liked the chances of Bewleys Berry, one of Howard Johnson's most promising novices at the time. 

I also liked Colourful Life, a chaser with Paul Nichols before he became the all-conquering Champion trainer. 

Another was Paul Webber's Buckby Lane, a two-time winner at Cheltenham, coming back from a layoff. " 

Ignore the absence, he'll be fit " was the advice from my old man and so he became the third horse in the bet.

Later that afternoon I was cheering with arms aloft as Bewleys Berry hammered his rivals into submission at Doncaster and brought home the bacon. 

Trebles were the daddy. Trebles were great. 

For weeks and months afterwards, I searched for them, often forcing a selection into the bet, convincing myself it was sound reasoning and allowing the bet to dictate the terms...and that is a big mistake.

Now, If there's one horse I like, I back it. If there are two, I back both. 

I try not to force the issue and make selections where there are none.

I kept records for a time and know which type of races I do well in and which I don't, which trainers and jockeys I trust and those I don't. 

If one from the blacklist goes in, then fair enough but I know it will benefit me long term not to chase their horses. 

It's completely unreasonable to expect ourselves to select three or four winners every time and so we're just throwing money away by doing the same bet religiously. 

There's nothing wrong with a single so why split the stake 15 times in the hope it's your day?

There's a reason they're called Lucky. 

To investigate all bet types please check out the betting school article - Different Types of Bets used in Sports Betting Explained