14 Types Of Punters you can meet in The Grandstand of The Singapore Turf Club.
Horse racing in Singapore been very interesting since it was introduced here in Singapore. Everyone who is involved in horse racing for a couple of years will have some stories to tell. It is getting more and more interesting as the number of people involved increased. The Singapore per capita income increased and I have seen unique punters styles and strategies shown among punters. Here are some that I have seen and hope you enjoy!
- The Professionals
They are the ones who come in to the turf club, long-sleeve shirt, with reading specs and did not talk much. Very focused, well organized table and clean. Did not bet all day. Only see him running to the betting counters once or twice per day race. Very polite and smile to most people.
Observation: He bet and left very secretly and gone. You won’t notice if he did not come. You won’t know if he wins or lost.
- The Rainbow
The opposite of the ‘Professionals’. This person will be shouting, cheering and jumping once the horses coming from the home turn. With 200m from winning post he/she will be at the top of his/her voice. Before the race everyone near will know which horse he/she put her money and are betting at. If he/she is not present, the club seems to be quiet.
Observation: Brings joy to people around them, and add colors to the Grand Stand. Most of the time you will know this person wins or lost. Will have alot of fun with this type of punter.
- The Jockey Diehard Fan
This person is okay with favorite horse, even the payout is ridiculously low as low as $7 for a $5 Win Bet. Champion Jockey is his favorite choice. Diehard Fan, not much reading of the horse condition or form done. His motto..The Champ is the way to go! Statistics says that favorite strike rate is anywhere between 20% – 30%.
Observation: Usually go for the champion jockey and champion trainer. But if he loses he lost a lot of money as the champion jockey usually pay low dividens
- The Numerologist
This person will count and count, record and record the horse number of the winning horse from Race 1. Compare and make decision at the last few race. If he wins then the theory will be revealed to fellow punters. The next day the numerology did not work as good as the previous day.
Observation: This person is a supporter of keeping the earth green. He uses the used paper or betting slips to record the numerology.
- The New Bird
He always comes with a mentor beside. Ask questions and eager to learn. Happy to meet new mentors (there are many around) and ask and pretend to understand fast. Go and come with his original mentor.
Observation: Normally, he plays small and a responsible gambler.
- The Old Bird.
This person who knows almost everyone at the Grandstand. He is there for many many years. He used to lost lots of money and now go slow, very slow. Only once a while he bets more as that is his bet of the day. Probably from a most reliable source of information.
Observation: He will usually want to help you, by sharing information if he sees you as a person he like.
- The Story Teller – Trainer’s Friend.
He talks a lot about horse owner, jockeys and trainers. Like to boast. He will say he knows the owner or the friends neighbor or the son’s friend or something like that. This horse was mentioned last month and so on. The story goes on. Usually after the horse wins.
Observation: Too much stories, mostly after the race and can be a pest, needs patience to be his friend.
- The Sharp Eyes.
This friend noticed all about the jockeys movement. How the jockey hold the whip, how the assistant trainer give instructions to the jockeys and so on. Interesting stories on the body language during Horse Parade and jockey mounting slots. He also notice and tell you how the horse sweats and conditions. He will tell you this time the horse looks shinny, the eyes glows and so on.
Observation: He will make you confused, as too many possible winner he pointed out in a same race.
- The Handicapper.
This person does his home work. Write lots of remarks in his horse racing form book. His book come already highlighted in numerous highlighter colors. All seems equal chance and all seems to have an outsider chance or favorite and can win remarks. He seems to be the most hardworking student to take a GCE O Levels Examination.
Observation: You ended up spread your bets to few different horse in the same race. Most of the time you choose the wrong horse.
- The Early Ticket Informer.
This guy will have a complete selections of horses information on the bets placed in the black market. He will show you the day’s sms on early tickets and who bets. He usually says this is from HK or Batam. The big bookies or something like that. He is somewhere at the turf club but usually not seen when the race going to start. Afetr the race he will say, last minute his source says this horse not going and this horse collect tickets and some other stories.
Observation: Do not trust too much as I think this type of person is usually sincere, but the motive of the big punters or bookies behind this person is tricky.
- The Money Maker but…
He comes in to the turf club only once in a while. He comes just to put money and take money. He can be a horse owner, or a sniper punter. One bullet for one target. He is able to hold his urge till few months. He is discipline and does not waste time. He come for that one race and he is gone. He usually put in a big bet and stay until the race. He seems to thinks a lot. Some people I know only bet on 5 or 6 horses per year. If he wins he wins a lot money but still he is no exception to the risks of horse racing. When he did not make it he seems like to donate in a big way.
Observation: This is a seasoned punter and a planner. Only thing that no matter how much you plan in winning, you tend to fail. This requires luck, and much more.
14. White horse punter..
She normally a social punter. Not so serious type. I met few of this type, normally ladies who come in a group or sometimes just accompanying her husband or partner. Just enjoying the day and she will scream in CHINESE (Hokkien) ‘Peh Bey’ means white horse. They have so much fun.
Observation: Best about this kind of punter is they have is much fun. Never think to make money from horses. Not much stress to be around them.
RISK: These are some of the types of punters I met. And it is just as our daily life, we met many types of people everyday.. some are serious, some just play to have fun and some are big timer and many others which trying to make money from horse racing.
My advice is that you cannot make money in horse racing as the risk is high. Lots of things can happen during a race. Jockey may slipped his saddle, horses not want to perform on that day, horses may be bump and many many things happening in a horse racing. This is a risky business and do not depend on horses to make a living cos only a small percentage I saw ever made good money from it. One of my trainer friend says, he is a trainer and he did not bet on horses!
Anyway it all takes more than luck to make good money in horse racing and some people found the certain way. That is what makes horse racing very interesting.
Thank you for reading, and wishing you the best of luck!
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