Betting 101
Types of Bets
Win-Place-Show Bets
Betting on horse racing can be fun and easy. There are several different wagers offered each race, but these are the three most basic:
- The first is a "win" wager. Betting a horse to win is just as fun as it sounds – the horse must win the race in order for you to win the wager.
- Next, is a "place" wager. This is betting on a horse to finish in the top 2. You win the wager if your horse finishes first or second.
- Betting a horse to "show" means selecting a horse who you think will finish in the top 3. You win the wager if your horse finishes first, second, or third.
Because of the difficulty of a win wager, it will yield the highest payoff of these three wagers. A show wager will yield the lowest payoff but offers the greatest chance of winning.
The minimum bet for a win, place or show wager is only $2.
Exacta Bets
If you've mastered the art of win, place and show wagers, try an exacta. An exacta is more difficult than win, place and show wagers, but yields a higher payout. You bet an exacta by selecting a minimum two horses to finish first and second. These horses must finish first and second, in that order, for you to win the wager.
If picking two horses in order sounds too difficult, you can "box" your wager. A boxed wager will win if your horses finish 1st and 2nd, in any order, making it more likely for you to win.
The minimum bet for an exacta or exacta box wager is only $2.
Trifecta Bets
If you've mastered the art of win, place and show wagers, try a trifecta. A trifecta is more difficult than win, place and show wagers, as well as exacta wagers, so it yields a higher payout than any of those bets.
You bet a trifecta be selecting a minimum three horses to finish first, second, and third. These horses must finish first, second, and third, in that exact order, for you to win the wager.
If picking three horses in order sounds too difficult you can "box" your wager. A boxed trifecta wager will win if your horses finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, in any order, making it more likely to win.
The minimum bet for a trifecta wager is only 50 cents and you can bet a trifecta box for as little as $3.
What to Say to the Mutuel Teller When You Bet
If you're a beginning bettor you probably want to place your bets at a mutuel window with a live mutuel teller before using self-service betting machines and mobile applications. Here’s what you should do when you get to the betting window:
- Have your money in hand, so that once you're at the counter, you're ready to make your bet
- State the track's name
- State the race number you are betting on
- State the amount of money you are betting
- Say the type of bet you are placing
- Finally, state the horse's program number
How to Pick a Winner
Read the Program
The daily racing program is packed with information that can help you choose your favorite horse and can help you to make smarter bets. For each race, the program outlines each horse contender, and provides very detailed information about that horse, including its odds of winning the race, its race history, its work-outs, its jockey and other connections and their statistical records, its saddle towel color, and even its birthdate. At first glance, the numbers and language can be intimidating, but with a little guidance and a little practice, you'll find your own rhythm for reading through the program and selecting a winner. Explore our "How to Read a Program" guide for detailed explanations of each program statistic. You can start at a beginner level, and move up to intermediate and advanced readings.
Listen to What the Experts are Saying
Watch the Horses
As with any athlete, physical appearances are an important factor in sizing up competition. Horse racing is no different, and what your eyes tell you about the horse can be a helpful tool in betting. Here's just a few tips on what to look for as the horses come into the Paddock, but remember that, like your mom always said, "Don't judge a book by its cover." It's difficult to make judgments based solely on appearance.
- Ears – If the horse's ears are pricked, meaning they are large and pointed up, and its head is high and confident, you can assume that the horse is alert, aware of their surroundings, and ready to race. You don't want to bet on a horse that’s ears are flattened back, or hanging its head low and inattentive.
- Hair – Like humans, a good hair day goes a long way! While the horses are in the Paddock, take a good look at their hair. A nice shiny coat is an indication that the horse is in good condition; it's a general sign of the horse’s health and well-being.
- Muscle Definition – Most super-star athlete have prominent muscles and horses are no different. Be sure to look for nice, toned muscles around the horse’s chest and rib cage area. You want to bet on a horse that has defined muscles near their rib cage, and isn’t overweight or carrying too much fat.
- Nerves – It's natural to have some nerves before competition, but over anxious horses aren't necessarily a good bet. Look at the horse's behavior in the paddock, and look closely at the sweat on his/her coat. If the horse is too fidgety or sweating too much, then the horse may be wasting too much energy before it has even hit the racetrack.
