Hi amateur,

The word value is thrown around quiet a lot on this forum - but for good reason.

Many punters probably have a different interpretation of value than me, and I know many journalists and race callers do!

However, if you constantly get poor value - often referred to as "unders" (or under a horse's true odds or chances of winning), there is NO way for the punter to come out in front in the longrun.

If you are able to obtain value - often referred to as "overs" (or over the true odds or chances of a horse winning), then unless you have a radical staking plan, you have to WIN in the longrun.

The trick is how to find value - how to correctly rate a horses true odds. Some people use weight ratings, others speed , others form or class and then there are those who are able to combine all of the above.
It takes years of hard work, trial and error to know whether you have correctly assessed the odds or chances.
You'll know instinctively what is value and what is not after you've got it right and are showing a level stakes profit over a decent period of time.

Hope this explains it a little better.