How To Bet on Horses
INTRODUCTION TO PARI-MUTUEL
When you place a bet at any racetrack in the world, whether they are on-track patrons or off-site via simulcast sites, you are betting against everyone else who is making similar wagers in the same race. The racetrack deducts a percentage from every dollar wagered for purses, track expenses, state taxes, etc. This takeout is anywhere from 15-25% depending on the wager type and race track. Remember with our online horse racing partner, eHorse, nothing is pari-mutuel, they book all of the action and give you a weekly cash rebate of up to 5%. To visit eHorse, click here.
WIN, PLACE, AND SHOW
Win: You win if your horse finishes first.
Place: You win if your horse finishes either first or second.
Show: You win if your horse finishes either first, second or third.
The odds commonly displayed on the Tote Board and on television monitors throughout the track are the "win" odds. Here are the minimum payoffs on $2 win wagers:
| |
Win Odds |
Minimum Payoff |
Win Odds |
Minimum Payoff |
| 1-1 |
$4.00 |
6-1 |
$14.00 |
| 2-1 |
$6.00 |
8-1 |
$18.00 |
| 5-2 |
$7.00 |
10-1 |
$22.00 |
| 3-1 |
$8.00 |
12-1 |
$26.00 |
| 7-2 |
$9.00 |
15-1 |
$32.00 |
| 4-1 |
$10.00 |
20-1 |
$42.00 |
| 9-2 |
$11.00 |
50-1 |
$102.00 |
| 5-1 |
$12.00 |
|
|
The easiest bet to win is a show bet. If your selection finishes third or better, you win. The Pick 6, requiring the bettor to select six consecutive winners in as many races, or the Superfecta, requiring the bettor to select the correct 1-2-3-4 order of finish in a given race, are the most difficult. The higher the risk, the greater the payoff.
EXOTIC WAGERS
Exacta: Selecting the two horses to finish first and second in exact order.
Quinella: Selecting the two horses to finish first and second in either order.
Daily Double: Selecting the winners of two designated (consecutive) races.
Wagers must be placed before the running of the first of the two races. The Daily Double is generally offered on the day's first two and last two races.
Pick 3: Selecting the winners of three designated races run in succession.
Trifecta: Selecting three horses to finish first, second and third in exact order
Superfecta: Selecting four horses to finish first, second, third and fourth in exact order. The Superfecta is generally offered on the day's final race.
Pick 6: Selecting the winners of six designated races run in succession.
Wagers must be placed before the running of the first of the six races. In the event there is no winner, there is a carryover pool (jackpot) to the next day's racing. There is also a daily consolation payoff to those who select five winners.
HOW TO BET THROUGH A TELLER AT A RACE TRACK
When you visit a mutuel window where tickets are sold and cashed, simply provide the following information:
1. Name of track
2. Race Number
3. Amount of your wager
4. Type of Wager
5. Program Number(s)
Example: Belmont Park...Race 5...$2...to Win...on Number 10 Be sure to take your mutuel ticket before leaving the window. And remember, use the number and not the name of the horse when placing your wager.
MORNING LINE ODDS
The morning line odds are displayed in the official track program and serve as the opening line for wagering on all races. The morning line is simply an educated opinion of how the wagering public will bet on each horse.
ODDS
The odds posted at the track on television monitors and on Tote Boards are a reflection of money wagered on a given horse relative to the total win pool. The odds change every 30 seconds as new money is wagered in the win pool.
COUPLED ENTRY
A coupled entry in a race is when two or more horses with either a common owner or trainer are deemed an entry for wagering purposes. Thus, the coupled entry is comprised of two or more horses and is regarded as a single betting interest. .
