We've tried every trick in the book - even the 'betting on silly names' like this bloke who won £245,000 at Wolverhampton.
But we always seem to end up backing the three-legged donkey that never even makes it across the finish line.
Spurs fan Tony Savill though hit the jackpot when his horses came in off a 60p bet, winning him £30,795.
The 70-year-old scooped the toteplacepot sweepstake at Southwell. A toteplacepot is where the punter's horses have to come first, second or third in each of the first six races at one meeting.
Sadly there were no tips or tricks behind his massive win - just really doing his homework.
"I check everything from the horses' form, jockeys and trainers and then go on what I fancy," he told Kent Online.
“I probably spend about £50 a week on greyhounds, the horses and football during the season."
The one bet he wishes he had made was on Spurs to win the Premier League title this time out as Mauricio Pochettino's men are closing in on leaders Leicester.
"I am a Tottenham fan and wish I had got on them at 150/1 for the Premier League title pre-season and definitely not the 2/1 joint favourites they are now with leaders Leicester," he added.
He backed Buck Mulligan and Santa’s Secret in race one and then Arthamint in the second race and Man from Seville in the third.
Delgany Demon was his horse in race four, Orchard Rose in race five and finally Vodka Island in the key sixth race to win the £30,000.
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