STUDY the form guide, pick a mid-ranking horse, or favour one with a good name.
Any of these methods might work to fill pockets of casual punters at the Devonport Cup, depending on the person asked.
Campbell Town-based bookmaker Nick Whelan, who will take bets at the event, said there was no right or wrong way to pick a winner at the races.
Every punter had a different method, he said.
"There's no rhyme or reason."
For those new to betting, a locally-trained horse was usually a good pick, Mr Whelan said.
Another method that could help casual punters keep collecting was to pick the middle-ranked horses.
"You might back less winners, but you won't need as many winners to make some money," Mr Whelan said.
Punters choosing favourites were likely to back every second winner, but win less money.
Some punters go for a horse with a name they like, a strategy Mr Whelan avoids personally.
Other methods include studying trainers' form, picking jockeys, or using lucky numbers and birth dates to choose.
Punters can bet on winners, placegetters or both.
Tote Tasmania advised knowledge was key to finding a winner and recommended buying and using a race book at the Devonport Cup.
People placing bets with the Tote can try picking a quinella, selecting the first two placegetters in any order, or an exacta, selecting the runners that place first and second in correct order.
Other options are an Any2 bet, choosing any two of the first three placegetters in any order, a trifecta, selecting the first three runners in correct order, or a First4. Mr Whelan advised people to bet what they could afford.