Basics of Horse Racing Betting

Basics of Horse Racing Betting

Win: A Win wager requires the bettor to simply pick the horse that finishes first in a race. The minimum win bet is generally $2 at most tracks.

Place: When you bet a horse to place, you win if your horse finishes first or second. The chances of a Place ticket hitting is greater than a that of a Win ticket, but the payoff is also less.

Show: When you bet a horse to show, you win if your horse finishes first, second or third. The probability of this type of wager coming in is greater than a Place bet, but it also generally pays less.

Exacta: This is a wager that requires you to pick the first two finishers in a race, in their exact order of finish.

Exacta Box: Often horses are "boxed" which gives the bettor all combinations of those boxed horses to finish first or second. For example, if the bettor wants to box horses A,B, and C, that will result in 6 possible 1st-2nd place tickets, so if you play a $1 Exacta Box with horses A,B,and C, the total cost will be $6.

Quinella:You bet on two horses to place first or second - in any order.

Trifecta: This bet requires the bettor to pick the top three finishers in a race,in their exact order.

Superfecta: To hit a Superfecta, you must pick the first four finishers in the exact order. Because of the large numbers of possible combinations, many tracks now allow a single ticket to be purchased for 10 cents.

Daily Double: To hit the Daily Double, you must pick the winners of two designated consecutive races. Wagers must be placed before the running of the first of the two races. The minimum bet is generally $2.

Pick Three: To win a Pick Three, you must select the winners of three designated consecutive races. Wagers must be placed before the running of the first of the three races. There are usually 8-10 races per day at most major tracks and this bet is offered for all races (except the last two races of the day).The minimum bet is generally $1.

Pick 4: A winning Pick Four bet requires you to pick the winners of four designated consecutive races. Wagers must be placed before the running of the first of the four races.

Pick 6: To win the Pick 6, you must pick the winners of six consecutive races which make up the Pick 6 sequence. If the Pick Six is not hit, a percentage of the net pool (generally about 70%) is "carried over" into the next days racing Pick 6 pool until a carryover until six are picked. The minimum bet is generally $2, though it is $1 at certain tracks. In Southern California, the last 6 races of the day comprise the Pick 6, except on special racing days such as the Breeder's Cup on which it can vary.