What does nap mean in horse racing?

If you are unfamiliar with horse racing, you may hear the person standing next to you claim, "This is my NAP of the day." Don't worry; we are not talking about a nap between races. In horse racing, a NAP is the tipster's 'best bet of the day'. It can be thought of as the horse they feel has the best chance of winning, based on race form, track conditions, jockey performance, and tipster-aided research or information.

Where Does “NAP” Come From?

NAP is not simply words used in racing slang that someone made up during a night out after a few pints. NAP is derived from a popular 19th-century French card game called Napoleon. After a player was given a hand that he could not lose, they would call "Napoleon". As time evolved, tipsters borrowed the term, shortening it to "NAP" to convey "I'm betting the farm on this one."  Why did this crossover happen? Nobody knows for sure. Perhaps they just liked the suspense? Or, could it be that both card games and horse racing involve an element of risk, a judgment component, and some luck?

What is a NAP Bet?  

A NAP bet is simply the tipster’s best bet of the day. The tipster has looked at probably dozens of races, checked the form books, checked the weather, and perhaps even called a mate in the yard. 

What exactly do you get when you see a NAP listed? For example, in the Racing Post, the Sporting Life or on your betting app, it is the tipster’s way of saying, “If you’re going to place just one bet today, and please make it this one”.  

Example:    

The tipster says, "Today’s NAP is Lightning Hooves in the 3:15 at Ascot", which means that Lightning Hooves is, in the tipster's opinion, the best chance to win on the day than any other horse running against it.

Pros of Using NAPs

NAPs are a great setup for the casual punter who doesn’t have hours to look at every horse, race, trainer, and track stats.

• Time Saver: Don’t get stressed about digging into all the small details about each horse and the odds.
• Expertise: When you're using a tipster, you're getting the advantage of people who are committed to horse racing.
• Confidence: Unlike picking a $5 trifecta, you are betting on a selection that the tipster is most confident in.

Cons of Using NAPs

There are no guarantees in betting. Unless you've invented time travel, and even with that, the officials may have issues.

• Over-reliance: If you are always relying on a tipster and never start to trust your instincts, you will not develop betting smarts.
• Price Changes: When a well-known tipster announces a NAP, the market often changes rapidly and may drop the odds significantly.
• Still a bet: No amount of research can defeat a horse suddenly stumbling out of the gate.

How to place a NAP bet

Placing a NAP bet is simple.

• Find a Good Tipster: Racing Post, Sporting Life, or even some daily newspapers such as The Sun and The Mirror (which do offer several NAP tips) will list NAP tips.
• Check the Odds: Prices sometimes vary between bookmakers, so check to see who has the best price.
• Place the Bet: Choose your stake and confirm it on your chosen betting site.
• Watch the Race: This part is fun, unless your horse has decided it wants a nice afternoon stroll instead of winning.
• Evaluate the Outcome: Whether your horse wins or loses, you will want to see if the tipster's reasoning matched the outcome.

NAP Betting Strategies

If you are new to betting with NAPs, there are a few good strategies that will give you a better and probably more profitable experience.

• Start Small: Consider betting single NAPs before trying betting NAPs in combinations.
• Stakes Low: Bet low amounts before you become somewhat confident in your NAP betting approach.
• Consider Value: While a NAP at short odds may be "safe," a slightly higher price may be a better value.

• Combine some Research: You can treat the NAP you are looking at as a guide, but check out the horse's recent form, trainer's record, or jockey's stats as well.

Conclusion

A NAP is the tipster's best bet of the day in horse racing and is made from careful analysis, experience, and sometimes an insider's approach.  Following a NAP is a time saver and potentially useful for expert insight, but no bet is guaranteed. Use NAPs as a guide, while incorporating your research, to hopefully enjoy horse racing, build knowledge, and improve your betting technique over the long haul.  

FAQS

What does a NAP mean in horse racing?  

In horse racing, a NAP is the tipster's best bet of the day; the horse they think has the best chance to win, based on research, form, and track conditions.

Where does the term NAP come from?  

NAP comes from the French card game "Napoleon", where a winning hand was called a "Napoleon".   Tipsters used it to show that they were confident in backing the bet.

How do I select a NAP bet?

To select a NAP bet, you should select a tipster you trust, compare the odds with other bookmakers, place your preferred stake, and then watch the race and see if it wins. 

Do NAP bets always work?

No. A NAP is a high recommendation, not a guarantee. Even if you do your research, other factors, ground conditions of the racecourse or performance of the horse on the day, can influence the outcome.