Greyhound racing is a fun sport to watch with plenty of races packed into a night’s entertainment, but it will feel even better if you come away with a few winners on the night.

With only six possibilities it might seem like a pinstickers dream, with the odds much more in a punter’s favour than in horse race where there could be 20 or more entrants.

However, following a few simple rules will help even the novice punter increase his/her chances of making a profit.

Understandings a dog’s form and knowledge of how to read a race card is vital as it will provide you with information on how the animal has done in its previous races and at what level it was competing.

Greyhound racing is graded and so a dog that won last time out will usually be placed in a contest with better animals next time.

It is common to see greyhounds win back-to-back races but beware of the step up in class, especially over longer distance races.

There is plenty of information available online about upcoming races and My Racing’s greyhound tips is the place to go for all the help you need in that respect.

Dogs tend to favour certain traps and so it is essential to check out from which box they usually start before deciding whether to part with any hard-earned cash on a particular race.

If your intended selection has operated and had success from Trap 2 then make sure it is housed in the same box before placing your wager.

Track conditions can also play a major role in determining the outcome of a greyhound race.

Wet conditions can play havoc and when the rain falls some venues have a bias for certain traps.

It is not uncommon to see dogs from certain traps dominate a night’s racing if there is standing water on the track or the sand is cut up so make sure you do your research and look for trends if the heavens open.

All the dogs will be paraded before the start of a race and the keen-eyed among racegoers might notice if an animal appears excitable and high-spirited.

Those often outperform the ones who seem to trudge reluctantly to the boxes without a care in the world about what is going to happen.

As with any sporting event, there are no certainties and the unpredictability of greyhound racing means that favourites are never guaranteed to land the spoils.

While watching the market can be beneficial, do not think that just because punters are lumping on a particular dog that it is certain to win.

Favourites are just as likely to be hampered at the first bend when six dogs converge to try and take the lead.

Returns are not huge with greyhound races as prices are nowhere near those seen at horse racing venues, and so getting involved with a forecast (betting on the first two home) or tricast (first three) is one option.

The pay-outs will be significant but it has to be remembered that picking a winner is tough enough and so to get the first three would be a real bonus.

Reverse forecast and tricasts, where you have to select the first two or three home but in any order, is easier but obviously the rewards will be less.

Greyhound racing is a thrilling sport with races every 20 minutes throughout the evening and picking your selections based on more than just the dog’s name should mean a few pounds in your pocket at the end of the night.