Betting doesn’t have to be rocket science. Keep it simple by choosing a horse using a trendy title. Or one that’s wearing your favorite color. But if you’re the analytic type who wants to think about a horse’s racing history, learn how to read a Racing Form and try your hand at handicapping.
Placing Your Bet
The easiest way to put your bet or wager is at the counter. Let the teller know the following information:
The racetrack (remember, you can bet on races at other tracks)
The race number
The dollar amount you want to bet The type of wager Your horse’s number Ex. “In Santa Anita, next race, five dollars to win number two.”
Kinds of Bets
There are several sorts of bets. But let’s start with the fundamental ones:
Win, Place and Show.
Win — If your horse finishes 1st, you win $$.
Place — If your horse finishes 1st or 2nd, you win .
Prove — If your horse finishes 1st, 2nd or 3rd, you win .
Bets that are exotic or Combination Wagers
Across the board — Three equal Win, Place and Show bets.
If your horse finishes 1st, you win all three stakes.
If your horse finishes 2nd, you win the Place and Show bets.
If your horse finishes 3rd, you win on the Show wager.
Exacta — Pick two horses in one race. Should they complete 1st and 2nd, in exact order, you win.
Quinella — Pick two horses. Should they finish 1st or 2nd, in either order, you win. Also Called an Exacta Box.
Trifecta — Select three horses. Should they finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd, in exact order, you win.
Superfecta — Select four horses. If they finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, in exact order, you win.
Daily Double — 2 special races compose the Daily Double. Pick one horse in each race. Should they finish 1st in both races, then you win. You have to produce your wager before the first race.
Pick 3 — Similar to the Daily Double, however for three successive races.
Pick 4 — Similar to the Daily Double, however for four consecutive races.
Pick 6 — The biggest bet you can make. Pick the horse at six consecutive races. Should you win, you win big.
If nobody picks all six winners, these choosing 5 from 6 will split 30% of the Pick Six pool. The remaining 70%”carries over” to another racing day, and will continue to do so each day until someone properly selects 6 winners out of 6 races.
Watch and Win
After placing your bet, see your horse jog. If your horse comes in the cash, sweet! But don’t intend on buying a private jet only yet. Wait till the race was declared”official”. Then collect your winnings in any window.
Automated Betting Machines
As soon as you’re familiar with setting stakes, you can try using one of the self-service, automatic machines. These simple machines are available at each track and offer simple directions on how to wager or collect money from a winning ticket. Easy peasy.
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