How to Know Whether to Trust a Tipster – Entry Level (Betting Education)

Spotting the difference between genuine expertise and social media noise.

In today’s world, the internet is flooded with horse racing tipsters. Some are passionate experts who study every angle. Others shout louder than they think deeper.

If you’re serious about your betting — or even just want to learn properly — knowing who to trust is vital. Because following the wrong kind of tipster can cost you money and confidence.

Let’s look at how to separate the professionals from the pretenders.

Look for Transparency, Not Hype

The first rule is simple:

A genuine tipster shows their work.

They’ll tell you why they’re backing a horse, not just that they are.

Trustworthy tipsters:

• Share reasoning based on form, ground, pace, and value.

• Log all results — wins and losses.

• Explain the confidence level (via a points system or staking plan).

❌ Untrustworthy tipsters:

• Use phrases like “LUMP JOB”, “Can’t lose”, or “Free money.”

• Never show losing days.

• Only post winning slips or cherry-picked results.

• Shout MAX bet very often to attract an audience

The moment a tipster avoids showing bad runs or hides behind vague claims, alarm bells should ring.

Transparency builds credibility — hype destroys it.

Check Their Record — and How It’s Measured

Every tipster will have losing runs. That’s the nature of betting.
What matters is whether they track results honestly and measure them properly – see my P/L breakdowns in the P/L section of Collections.

Here’s what to look for:

• Return on Investment (ROI) – The best long-term measure of quality.

• Strike rate – Useful, but only when seen alongside ROI.

A good tipster can make profit even with a modest strike rate — if they consistently find value.

Always judge a tipster by profit over time, not short-term streaks. Many fall for this “short term streak”.

Do They Use a Staking System?

Every professional operates with a structured staking plan — usually a points-based system (like 1–5 points).

This shows how confident they are in each bet, helping you manage risk and expectations.

✅ A real tipster:

“3pt win – confident selection, ideal conditions.”

❌ A fake tipster:

“MAX BET 🔥🔥🔥” every week.

If every selection is “maximum confidence,” none of them are.
Consistency in staking shows discipline — and discipline is the hallmark of professionalism.

Read the Reasoning — Not the Result

Anyone can get lucky. The real skill lies in the process.

Before following someone, read how they explain a selection. And do you learn anything from that write up?

Do they talk about:

• Ground, distance, and draw?

• Trainer placement?

• Value in the market?

• Class and pace dynamics?

If their reasoning sounds logical, balanced, and repeatable — that’s a good sign. If it’s mostly emotional (“this can’t lose” or “it owes us one”), it’s time to scroll on.

Look for Consistency Over Time

Genuine tipsters build trust slowly. They don’t promise overnight success and they harp on about mentality and long term success.

You should be able to see:

• A consistent posting pattern (no vanishing acts).

• A clear record of selections — ideally timestamped or tracked.

• Calmness during losing spells.

Fake tipsters tend to disappear during bad runs and reappear after lucky streaks shouting from the rooftops. Professionals stay accountable throughout — because they know variance is part of the game.

How Do They Communicate With Followers?

Tone says a lot about integrity. Real professionals respect their audience. They teach, explain, and discuss — not shout.

✅ Signs of a reliable tipster:

• Honest about losing days.

• Encourages responsible staking.

• Replies respectfully to questions.

❌ Red flags:

• Insults critics or blocks questions.

• Goes quiet during a losing spell

• Over-promises (“turn £10 into £1,000 this week!”).

A tipster worth following wants you to understand betting — not just buy tips.

Beware of Short-Term “Hot Streaks”

Everyone hits a purple patch. But if a tipster suddenly appears boasting about “20 winners from 25 bets” — be cautious.

Ask:

• How long have they been tipping publicly?

• Do they log selections before races?

• What’s their track record over months or seasons?

Professional success is measured over hundreds and thousands of bets, not a lucky week.

Ask Yourself: Do They Add Value to You?

The best tipsters teach you while they tip you.

If you come away understanding more about:

• How races are structured,

• Why certain horses were value,

• And how to think independently —

Then you’ve found a trustworthy source.

A tipster who just throws out names is giving you fish. A real one teaches you how to fish.

Trust Is Earned, Not Claimed

A good tipster doesn’t need to scream about being right — their work speaks for itself.

They’re transparent, consistent, and professional. They win over time, not overnight.
And most importantly, they respect your bankroll and your intelligence.

If you follow those signs, you’ll quickly learn who deserves your trust — and who deserves your scroll past.