The punting mindset you need to win: Hear direct from the pros

Episode 14 of the Ultimate Form Guide: The psychology of the punt! What is the difference in mindset between a serious punter and a recreational punter? If you want to make the switch and really give yourself the chance to win, what do you need to do and how do you need to think?

We’ve gathered a group of the sharpest racing and betting minds in Australia – plus a couple from across the world – to get their thoughts on many different aspects of form analysis and betting. Each episode of The Ultimate Form Guide is focused on an individual form, betting or racing topic. That way, you can hear from all the experts talk about each topic, together.

“Discipline and bankroll management are two of the biggest differences between casual and professional punters.”
Cameron O’Brien

“The reality is that it doesn’t matter how much someone tells you or tries to explain, there are certain things about being a good punter that you’ll only learn by practice.”
Daniel O’Sullivan

“Knowing when to bet and when not to is a big difference between serious and casual punters. The time to bet is when you have the odds in your favour.“
Trevor Lawson

“The biggest mistake I made early in my punting years (and the biggest mistake any punter can make) is to chase losses. Never, ever do it. “
Mark Rhoden

“People who do it for a living are mentally quite strong and resilient. The game really tests you out.”
James Jordan

“If you’re taking punting seriously and have an edge you just need to keep fronting up. The winners will take care of themselves.”
The Professor

“Psychology is probably the most important tool for a punter to harness. You’ve got to be willing to be wrong.”
Terry Leighton

“Staking is a very large part of discipline.”
Rob Waterhouse

“You don’t want to change things when you’re having a big of bad variance, or up things when you’re having good variance because it’s amazing how when you change things the momentum tends to shift.”
Tristan Merlehan

“Pro punters are able to take a step back and wait for the right conditions to have a bet. Discipline is the main thing.”
Wayne Finter

“You can be the greatest form student in the world but if you can’t control your emotions you won’t maximise your results.”
Vince Accardi

You can listen right here, or anywhere you get your podcasts:

Apple | Stitcher | Tunein | Soundcloud | Spotify | Libsyn

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The Ultimate Form Guide: The Episodes

Episode 1 Introduction
Episode 2 Speed & sectionals
Episode 3 Class
Episode 4 Weight
Episode 5 Replays & track bias
Episode 6 Jockeys
Episode 7 Trainers
Episode 8 Barrier trials
Episode 9 Wet tracks
Episode 10 Ratings & rated prices
Episode 11 Staking & when to bet
Episode 12 Bookies & bet types
Episode 13 The Exchange
Episode 14 Betting psychology
Episode 15 Betting success

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The Ultimate Form Guide: The Experts

Trevor Lawson is a professional punter who’s made his living betting on Victorian racing for almost twenty years. Trevor runs the Melbourne Ratings and Trev’s Bets services at Champion Bets. Twitter @lunchandpunt

Mark Rhoden is a bookmaker turned professional punter. Starting with Mark Read’s IASBet in Darwin, Mark spent many years in the industry which culminated in his role as head trader of NSW racing at Sportsbet. Since leaving Sportsbet some five years ago, Mark has “gone it alone” as a professional punter. Twitter @cotchinsoda

The Professor is a long-time student of the form, he’s is a very successful punter with a long winning track record. He focuses exclusively on racing in South East Queensland, and runs the Queensland Winners service for Champion Bets. Twitter @TheProfessorCB

Cameron O’Brien was bred to be a champion. The son of a professional punter, he’s been producing weight ratings since the age of 15: first learning the Don Scott method and then continually refining his own approach to doing the form over time. Cameron trained as a form analyst under legendary bookmaker Mark Read, and has now been a professional punter for more than 10 years. He runs the Key Bets and Key Race Insights services for Champion Bets. Twitter @Gamblor_PCO

James Jordan started his racing journey on the phones for a corporate bookmaker before taking on various roles in the bookmaking industry. He later moved into TV coverage as a form analyst for Channel 7’s racing coverage, and is now the South Australian form analyst for racing.com. Twitter @James_Jordan

Daniel O’Sullivan is a form analyst who runs The Racing Bureau, which supplies data, software and consulting services to punters as well as a range of racing industry participants. Twitter @TRBHorseRacing

Terry Leighton is a professional punter focused purely on Western Australian racing. He’s been betting full-time for five years now, and is also a contributor to the Betfair Hub. Twitter @PerthRacingGuru

Vince Accardi has been called ‘The Godfather of Sectional Times’. He’s been focused on the science of sectional timing – recording, analysing and digesting times – for over thirty years. He founded and runs Daily Sectionals.

Robbie Waterhouse is a name that needs no introduction to those in racing. The son of leviathan rails bookmaker Bill Waterhouse, Robbie has himself spent a lifetime as an on-course bookmaker, and has recently taken his business online. Twitter @RobWaterhouse1

Tristan Merlehan is another bookmaking “lifer”. The son of on-course bookmaker Lloyd Merlehan, Tristan jumped on the bag himself as soon as he was able. Their bookmaking business has evolved into TopSport, the leading Australian-owned and operated corporate bookmaker. Twitter @TopSport_com_au

Barry Meadow is a US-based professional punter who spent nearly 30 years betting for a living on US racing, as well as writing books on the science of form analysis and betting.

Wayne Finter is a UK-based form analyst who has spent years betting and doing form on UK and Irish horse racing, as well as providing selections through his Northern Monkey Punter betting service. Twitter @NMPunter