Betting Horse Racing - Straight bets
How To Bet Horses - Straight bets ( WIN, PLACE, SHOW )
One of the most intimidating experiences for a new horse betting fan is learning how to place their first bet and how much they must invest. Below are the types of bets offered on certain races as well as how much they will cost. We hope this step-by-step guide makes your trip to the races a winning experience.
Of course, the higher the payoff the more one's attention is attracted.
WIN
A "WIN" bet is just as it sounds - betting that the horse you
pick will win the race. You win if the horse wins.
PLACE
For a horse to "PLACE" it must finish the race either first or second.
This bet is not as risky, so the return will naturally be less.
SHOW
For a horse to "SHOW" it must finish the race either first, second
or third. This is a conservative bet but still can be profitable if you pick
your spots.
ACROSS THE BOARD
This is a quick and easy way to say that I want to play my horse in all three
positions. ($2 Across The Board = $2 to win, $2 to place, and $2 to show).
If the horse wins you collect all three bets. If the horse finishes 2nd then
you collect the place and show bets. If the horse finishes 3rd then you will
only collect the show bet.
Now that you know what type of bets you will be making you must decide how much you want to risk for the whole day. It is suggested that you separate the money you want to play with from the money you want to take home. This way, win or lose you can find the enjoyment that makes thoroughbred horse racing one of the most popular spectator sports in the world!
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Examples of these are the Exacta, Quinella Trifecta, Daily Double, Superfecta and Daily Triple/Pick 3. Needless to say, these bets are all more difficult than WIN, PLACE or SHOW because they require multiple selections to finish in the proper order.
Daily Double
The 'daily' double involves picking the winning horse in two consecutive races.
All tracks offer the early daily double which involves races #1 and #2. Most
tracks also offer a late daily double which is the last two races of the
day. Some tracks also offer a rolling daily double which is on any two consecutive
races. To win a daily double you must pick the winning horse in each of the
two races. Multiple combinations can be used when playing the double. Wheeling
and keying horses in any leg of the daily is accepted.
Quinella
In the Quinella, you must pick the horses that finish 1st and 2nd. Either
one can be first and the other one second. This bet is exactly the same as
the "Exacta Box". Although the Quinella has the same function as
the "Exacta Box" the payoff can vary substantially. You must remember
that there is no such bet of an exacta box, it is really two separate bets
on one ticket. The Quinella bets are entered into their own pool separate
from the exacta pool. Not all tracks offer the Quinella bet, but to the
best of my knowledge all tracks accept the term exacta box where ever the
exacta bet is offered. If both the Quinella and Exacta bets are offered
it is wise to check the tote board before making a Quinella or Exact Box
bet to see which one offers the greater payoff.
Exacta
With this bet you must pick the first two finishing horses in the
order of their finish. In other words, you must pick the horse that wins and
the horse that finishes second. Again a exacta can also be played using multiple
combinations. Wheeling, keying and boxing horses in exacta’s is a popular
bet at the track.
Trifecta
With this bet you must pick the first three finishing horses in the order of
their finish. In other words, you must pick the horse that wins, the horse
that finishes second and the horse that finishes third.
Superfecta
With this bet you must pick the first four finishing horses in the order of
their finish. In other words, you must pick the horse that wins, the horse
that finishes second, third, and fourth.
Pick 3
In order to win a Pick 3 bet you are required to select the winning horse in
three consecutive races. Many tracks offer the pick 3 and most even offer
a rolling pick 3
Pick 4
Same as the pick 3 but you must successfully pick the winners of four consecutive
races. This is a relatively new bet and not all tracks offer it.
Boxing horses in exotics
A "box" Is when you use multiple horses taking all possible combinations
in that particular bet. If you have determined that two, three, or four horses
are the best in the race but you are not sure which one will win, run second,
third, or fourth the “box” may be your best bet.
Example: A $1 dollar superfecta box using the 1-2-3-4-5. This means four of
your five horses must finish in the top four to be a winner. Same example applies
to Exacta (top two finishers) & Trifectas (top three finishers)
Keying horses in exotics
A “key” is when you use a single horse to win, run second, or third
using multiple horses in front of him or behind him.
Example: A $1 dollar pick 3, the 2 horse with the 3-4-5 with the 3-4-5-6. This
means the 2 horse must win the first leg of your pick 3 either the 3-4 or 5
must win the second leg and the 3-4-5 or 6 must win the third leg to win your
bet. Same concept applies to exactas, Daily doubles, trifectas, superfectas,
and pick 4’s.
Wheeling horses in exotics
A wheel is when you use a single horse in a position with multiple horses finishing
ahead or in some cases behind the horse your wheeling. In many cases a “wheel” and
a “key” can be considered the same thing
Example: A $2 dollar Exacta, the 1 horse with the 2-3-4. This means the 1 horse
must win the race and the 2,3,or 4 must run second to win the bet. Another
example might be a $2 dollar Exacta the 2-3-4 horse with the 1 this means the
2,3,or 4 must win and the 1 must run second. The same principle applies when betting
Trifectas, Superfectas and multi race exotics.
Part wheels
Part wheels are offered at $1 minimum bet per combination -- $2 minimum total
cost. Part wheels use multiple horses in different positions
Example: A $1 dollar Trifecta part wheel the 1-2 horse with 1-2-3 with 1-2-3-4-5
this means the 1 or 2 must win the race the 1-2-3 must run second and the 1-2-3-4-5
must finish third for the bet to win. Same principle applies to the exacta and
Superfecta. A part wheel can be used in the pick 3’s and 4’s but
obviously the hoses used must win the race.
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