Betting Online vs. In Person: Pros and Cons, Part 2

It’s hard to believe that Cheltenham Festival and all the other big horse racing events have already come and gone.  This year’s event was as thrilling as ever.  If you had the chance to attend in person, you probably had a grand (and hopefully profitable) time wagering.  If not, you probably bet online from home. 

Trying to decide whether to attend in person next year or bet from home?  In the first article in this series, I talked about the pros and cons of betting at events like Cheltenham Festival in person.  Now I want to talk about the pros and cons of betting from home or a pub on your desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

Wagering Remotely: Pros

• There are no distractions from the racecourse.  Unless your home is stocked with alcohol, there is less of a temptation to indulge (at festivals like Cheltenham, beer is everywhere).  There are no crowds around you making noise, getting in your field of view, or trying to tell you how to bet.

• Conducting research is much easier from home than it is from the racecourse (or any other event venue).  Even if you have mobile access in the stands, it is hard to concentrate.  At home, you can easily watch live on Channel 4, but conduct additional research on betting tips, the backgrounds of horses, trainers and jockeys, and more on your computer.  This may ultimately give you a more comprehensive view of what is taking place on the racetrack and help you to place smarter bets.

• Betting using an online betting site is convenient … and also affordable!  Attending events in person is fun, but it is also pricey.  You don’t have to pay for tickets or transportation or time off if you are wagering at home, which may make it a better choice.  You also don’t need to visit teller windows to place your wagers—and you can wager in-running.

Wagering Remotely: Cons

• You are removed from the action, so it may not be as fun.  It is also less of a social event, unless you are at the pub with friends.

• Home may have additional distractions that the racecourse does not.  Your kids or spouse could burst in on you and sidetrack you, or you might be distracted by the internet, your neighbors, work, or so on.

• You may miss some of what is going on because you cannot get a great view.  You are confined to the coverage offered through Channel 4 or your betting site.  You cannot inspect the track, horses, or jockeys all that closely.  At the racecourse, you might notice important details you could never catch remotely. 

So is it better ultimately to bet in person at the racecourse or at home online?  A lot depends on why you are betting.  If you are wagering mostly for the thrill and excitement, attending events in person when possible is definitely well worth it.  If your goal is to focus and make money, there are advantages and disadvantages either way.

It would be well worth your time to attend some sporting events in person and others at home, and take careful notes.  What kinds of distractions did you have to deal with in both situations?  Where were you able to concentrate best and make the most useful observations? 

There is no one “right” answer here, and you may even discover that that what works best for you depends on the type of event!  You might find you do better wagering on football at home and horseracing at the racecourse.  You may be friends with another punter who has the exact opposite experience.  Whatever the case may be, the more you experiment and learn about yourself, the better you will be able to position yourself for success.