*Ignorant question alert!*

[PropellerHeadCase]

What IS a 'race night'?

No such thing in NZ, so I'm clueless.

[Tom]

Just a guess but I would of said horse racing. Betting on a pre-recorded race of some kind.

JamesH will know more about this and I'm sure others will also. :)

[Candybeatdiscos]

Yeah a race night is a betting game that is used to raise funds for a club or charity.

The race nights are often horse racing or Greyhound Racing, however i use snails...

Click HERE (http://www.fundeo.com/race_night_fundraising_ideas.aspx) for a great detailed explanation using the snails.

[ppentertainments]

As above.

The majority of race nights are for fundraising of some description, however they can be used for corporate functions and even weddings if they do not want music all night.

There are several restrictions to ensure they comply with gambling laws. Mainly that large sums of money are not allowed to change hands and with the exception of the organiser and charity no-one can be 'paid' for a race night.

The races are all pre-recorded and you can get horses, dogs, trotters, pigs etc etc. The norm is to run 8 races each with 8 runners in. You can place odds on the runners or, as I do it, just split the money between charity and payout, and pay on the winner. There are loads of other betting methods you can use. It really is a great way to raise money for charity.

It does sound quite boring when explained but these nearly always transform into great nights, especially if the atmosphere (and :beer1: :beer1: ) is correct.

[JTRS]

OK Confession time.

I know someone who used to be a comedian and is now setting up as a DJ who whilst working as a comedian was booked by a customer for 4 corporate events, they had the same band, the same DJ, the same comedian and the same RACE NIGHT.

I say the same race night because they had bought a DVD from Marks and Spencers and were showing that over a big screen, the DVD contained all the fixed odds (yes I know fixed odds, usually the race night organiser works out the odds once people have placed their bets so they don't lose money, but this was an all in one kit).

Anyway, I digress, this comedian realised on the second night that it was the same races which meant it was the same winners, so he paid a bit more attention to which horse won which race.

On nights 3 and 4 he placed a few bets and lost when he placed a small bet and the winning odds were short but on a certain race where he placed a slightly bigger bet the odds were much higher and he made a tidy profit.

Obviously this wasn't me because I am an honest bloke.

JTRS

[ppentertainments]

OK Confession time.

I know someone who used to be a comedian and is now setting up as a DJ who whilst working as a comedian was booked by a customer for 4 corporate events, they had the same band, the same DJ, the same comedian and the same RACE NIGHT.

I say the same race night because they had bought a DVD from Marks and Spencers and were showing that over a big screen, the DVD contained all the fixed odds (yes I know fixed odds, usually the race night organiser works out the odds once people have placed their bets so they don't lose money, but this was an all in one kit).

Anyway, I digress, this comedian realised on the second night that it was the same races which meant it was the same winners, so he paid a bit more attention to which horse won which race.

On nights 3 and 4 he placed a few bets and lost when he placed a small bet and the winning odds were short but on a certain race where he placed a slightly bigger bet the odds were much higher and he made a tidy profit.

Obviously this wasn't me because I am an honest bloke.

JTRS

One word - COWBOYS

You can get 'home' race night packs in a lot of places. I think asda had them just before christmas for £5. They are what they say though 'home race nights'. This person is taking a massive risk using such products that are readily available to the public.

As far as odds go, 99% of the time I don't use odds as many people find this confusing. I normally simply split the money 50/50 between charity and payout, with the payout amount divided by the total number of winners. Making it complicated puts people off betting a lot of the time (plus its simpler for me ;) ).

I pay £15 PER RACE for all my discs from a reputable retailer. This retailer hires a film crew to film the races, and I believe most are ran purely for race night use, so have not been seen in public before.

The other problem with the race night packs is the choice. I currently have 30 different races and only use 8 per night. Even with that amount I am buying extra as some of my regular customers are becoming familiar with them.

I work with a couple of 'guest speakers' on a regular basis also .Not my choice, but to maintain professionalism, they never place bets to avoid and controversy.

On a side note, on Friday there was a group of ladies at a race night I was holding who placed a bet on every horse in every race. They left the night in profit (although they donated it back to the charity). Method in the madness.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Tortoise racing is much better than horse racing anyway. :sj:

[Jiggles]

Now that looks fun! :D

[Vectis]

They don't need to be video based.

In fact, the most fun I've ever had at a race night was using 6 hobby horses painted different colours, gaffa tape "furlongs" on the floor and a pair of giant dice.

No end of possibilities for audience participation and you can introduce 'handicaps' etc. very easily to really liven the place up.

:beer1:

[jamesh]

Sorry for joining the topic a little late... Have had a long weekend so had a relaxing night off last night...



I pay £15 PER RACE for all my discs from a reputable retailer. This retailer hires a film crew to film the races, and I believe most are ran purely for race night use, so have not been seen in public before.


Yeah likewise... I can't believe people are going out with the standard fun home kits... that's just crazy!!!! PLus the Pro race night dvd's are a lot better from recording quality, to the commentary to the whole production really!

And for the record i do the night on 50/50 too rather than odds and things like that.... The trick with race nights are keep it as simple as possible... especially as most of the guests are generally drinking so by the middle of the night the simpler the better!

any way info on race nights can be found here...

http://www.jameshuk.com/racenights.htm

Or the frequently asked questions here.

http://www.jameshuk.com/racenightsfaq.htm

any questions just fire away :D


Tortoise racing is much better than horse racing anyway. :sj:

ohhh that and the snail racing does look fun :D always on the look out for a bit extra betting fun.


They don't need to be video based.

In fact, the most fun I've ever had at a race night was using 6 hobby horses painted different colours, gaffa tape "furlongs" on the floor and a pair of giant dice.

No end of possibilities for audience participation and you can introduce 'handicaps' etc. very easily to really liven the place up.

:beer1:

Yeah i've seen that done before it's great fun...

I offer a similar thing but on a smaller scale with pig racing... Were it's a big wooden run with little motorized piggies that have to run down the run... that's usually great fun too as it gets everyone involved...

More info here...

http://www.ukeventservices.co.uk/teambuilding.html

Scroll down to Indoor Activities

[DJMaxG]

A Race Night is where videos are played of horse racing, like at the Bookmakers, but it is an organised function with a bar etc. The audience place bets, and can win on horses. Can be a Great fundraiser.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

A Race Night is where videos are played of horse racing, like at the Bookmakers, but it is an organised function with a bar etc. The audience place bets, and can win on horses. Can be a Great fundraiser.

I think we already established that! ;)