The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt features a surprisingly engaging and potentially lucrative pastime: horse racing. Located primarily in Novigrad, these races offer a chance to win significant sums of money, but success isn’t guaranteed. It requires understanding the system, observing the horses, and employing a bit of strategy. This guide will detail everything you need to know about betting on horse races in The Witcher 3.
Understanding the Basics
Horse races are found at the Novigrad arena. Before each race, you can interact with the various stable owners to gather information about each horse. This is crucial. Don’t just blindly pick a horse based on name or appearance. The information provided isn’t always 100% accurate, but it gives you a significant edge.
Key Information to Look For:
- Form: This indicates the horse’s recent performance. “Excellent,” “Good,” and “Poor” are the common ratings.
- Fitness: How well-trained the horse is. Similar ratings to Form.
- Jockey: The skill of the rider. A skilled jockey can improve a horse’s chances.
- Owner’s Comments: Often provides hints about the horse’s temperament or potential weaknesses. Pay attention to phrases like “nervous,” “strong finisher,” or “struggles with distance.”
You can bet on multiple horses in a single race, increasing your potential payout but also your risk. The payout multiplier is displayed next to each horse’s name, reflecting its odds of winning.
Betting Strategies
There are several approaches to betting on horse races. Here are a few:
The Information Gatherer
This is the most reliable, though time-consuming, method. Speak to all the stable owners before each race. Carefully analyze the information, looking for horses with consistently positive reports (Excellent Form, Good Fitness, Skilled Jockey); Focus on horses with favorable owner comments. This strategy minimizes risk but may offer lower payouts.
The Long Shot Hunter
This strategy involves identifying horses with high payout multipliers – the underdogs. These horses have lower chances of winning, but the reward is significantly greater. Look for horses with a single positive attribute (e.g., Excellent Form but Poor Fitness) and a high multiplier. This is a high-risk, high-reward approach.
The Spread Bet
Betting on multiple horses simultaneously. This increases your chances of winning something, but reduces the overall payout if one of your chosen horses wins. Useful for races where you’re unsure of a clear favorite.
Exploiting the System (Minor Glitch)
(Note: This may be patched in future updates.) Some players have discovered a minor glitch that allows you to repeatedly reload a save before a race, gathering new information from the stable owners each time. This can help you identify the horse with the highest probability of winning. However, this is considered an exploit and may diminish the enjoyment of the game for some.
Tips for Success
- Save Before Betting: Always save your game before placing a bet. This allows you to reload if you lose and try a different strategy.
- Start Small: Begin with small bets to get a feel for the system and learn how the horses perform.
- Pay Attention to Distance: Some horses excel at short distances, while others are better suited for longer races.
- Don’t Get Discouraged: Losing is part of the game. Learn from your mistakes and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Horse race betting in The Witcher 3 is a fun and rewarding activity. By understanding the mechanics, gathering information, and employing a strategic approach, you can significantly increase your chances of winning and earning a substantial profit. Good luck, and may the best horse win!
