Strategies and ROI
Calculate betting returns, each-way settlements, strike rates and return on investment. Explore staking approaches, losing runs and how to keep an honest performance record.
Explore the related guides below, or return to the complete horse racing guides library. For worked probability examples, see how Probatrix works. All information is educational and outcomes are uncertain.
Guides in this topic
Flat staking risks the same amount on each bet; percentage staking risks a fixed share of a changing bankroll.
An each-way bet is two equal stakes: one to win and one to place. The place return uses the bookmaker's stated…
Compare the combined win and place probabilities with the separate returns and costs of both parts of the each-way bet.
Return on investment is net profit divided by total amount staked, multiplied by 100.
Strike rate is the number of winning selections divided by total settled selections, multiplied by 100.
Evaluate a model using out-of-sample predictions, probability calibration, strike rate, ROI and transparent recording of missed days.
Hedging places an opposing bet to reduce exposure or rebalance possible outcomes, often through a betting exchange.
Record the date, race, horse, market, odds, stake, result and net profit for every selection before judging performance.
Favourites win more often than most individual outsiders, but that does not automatically make backing every favourite profitable.
A good ROI is positive after all stakes and costs over a sufficiently large, independently recorded sample.
A losing run is a sequence of consecutive settled losing selections.
A staking plan sets a consistent, affordable stake size and maximum exposure before bets are placed.
Today's Qualified Races
Discover Probatrix's probability-led selections, if any qualify today.
View today's horse racing predictions →