There are plenty of ways to place bets and make money from horse racing.
The bets you place might be driven by your own research, following form and conditions, or trusting specific tipping services to find value in the market.
One thing that will keep cropping up as you find bets from tipsters is the concept of a NAP, so what does it mean?
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What is a NAP in horse racing?
A ‘NAP’ in horse racing betting has become shorthand for a tipster’s strongest bet.
On any given race or any meet, a tipster may line up several recommended bets. However, the ‘NAP’ bet is the one they have the most confidence in.
Depending on your confidence in the tipster, identifying the ‘NAP’ can reduce research time and provide a reliable starting point for your next bets.
Punters will often look for NAPs to anchor their multiples or combination bets, providing comfort amid the noise of so many recommended bets - particularly for the biggest UK events of the year such as the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National or Royal Ascot.
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What does NAP stand for in horse racing?
Stemming from the term card game ‘Napoleon’, where a player would declare Nap - short for Napoleon - to declare they have the best possible hand, a ‘NAP’ bet for horse racing translates to the best bet, ‘banker’ bet or best tip on any given event.
Why is a NAP different from another tip?
Aside from the obvious that it is the tipsters’ best or preferred bet, another key difference is that a tipster will not always put forward a NAP.
Multiple selections can sometimes feel forced, while those who find too many selections overwhelming - or difficult to balance from a staking or financial perspective - focusing on a single NAP bet simplifies the process.
Fewer decisions can reduce confusion and make it more enjoyable.
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What are the disadvantages to following most napped bets?
Despite being a tipster’s best bet, there is no guarantee of success and NAP selections are subject to the same unpredictability of horse racing.
The strongest analysis and supporting research can’t account for factors such as injuries, unexpected weather changes and tactical errors from the jockey.
Equally, by narrowing yourself to a single bet it’s possible you’re ignoring other value selections available on the same day.
It’s also true that there is a pressure associated with backing a NAP given the interest it produces, particularly from the highest profile tipsters.
The odds are likely to shorten very quickly, so you need to be careful about backing the selection at lower odds and missing out on the value provided by the best price.