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How To Bet Horse Racing

Written by Jimmy Boyd

One of the first things to know about how to bet on horse racing are the different options available. Betting on horses is one of those American traditions that date back over a century, and heading to the track is a great place to meet up with friends, have a good drink, and have a good time. Of course you are going to have a lot more fun if you know what you are doing and can win money instead of ending up a loser, so that’s where we come in. Let us help get you educated so you can not only impress your buddies with your vernacular, but also impress them with cashing in tickets.

Straight, Single, or Win Bet – The simplest and most popular wager. You bet on a winner at the posted odds and you cash your ticket if your horse wins the race.

Place – This wager means you win money if the horse that you bet on finishes either first or second.

Show – This bet means that you cash in if your horse finishes in the top three places.

Combination – These bets cover from two to four horses to win in chosen order.

Pick 3 – This wager requires the bettor to pick winners in three straight races. There are racetracks that allow a rolling pick 3, where you must pick three races in a row and it continues for the next three races.

Pick 6 – The player has to pick the winner of six straight races. Some racetracks have the first six races, middle six races, or last six races and if there is a carry over pool then the pot can get as high as a million dollars.

Quiniela – This is a wager placed on two horses to finish the race first or second and they can come in either order. To bet you say “$2 quiniela on numbers 2 and 3. You win if the race ends 2-3 or 3-2.

Quiniela Box – You pick three or more horses and will win if any two of your picks finish first and second. To place this wager you say “$2 quiniela box on 2,3, and 4. You are making three separate wagers so your minimum bet is $6 and you have the options 2-3, 2-4, 3-2, 3-4, 4-2, and 4-3. You can box as few as three or as many horses as you want.

Perfecta or Exacta – This is like a Quiniela where you bet on two horses to finish first or second, but you need to exact order. To be this you say “$3 perfecta on 2-3. You win only if the races finishes with 2 winning and 3 placing second.

Trifecta or Tricast – This is a bet placed on three horses crossing the finish line in the exact chosen order. To bet this one you say “$2 trifecta on 2,3, and 4. You only win if the race finishes 2-3-4.

Trifecta Box – Pick three horses and they can finish first, second, and third in any order. To bet you say $1 trifecta box 2,3, and 4. You are making six $1 bets with this one so your total wager is $6. You win your bet if the race ends 2-3-4, 2-4-3, 3-2-4, 3-4-2, 4-2-3, or 4-3-2.

Trifecta Key – Add another wrinkle to the trifecta where you pick your favorite horse to win the race, then two more to finish in second or third in any order. To bet this option you say “$1 trifecta key on 1 with 2 and 3.” You are making two $1 bets so your total comes to $2. To win the horse that you key has to come in first, with the other two horses finishing either 1-2-3 or 1-3-2.

Superfecta – This is a wager on four horses to cross the finish line in the order chosen.

Daily Double – You win if you pick the winner of the first and second race. To place this wager you say “$2 daily double on 2 and 6.” 2 would be your winner of the first race and 6 would be your winner for the second.

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Written by Jimmy Boyd on January 16, 2008 · Filed Under Horse Racing Betting

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