Beginners Guide

Many of the every day, regular people that I meet have little or no idea how things work at the racetrack. Often time I’ve been asked to give a rundown on the various types of wagers that the track has to offer, or if I have any hot tips. I’ll discuss the former here, but stay tuned to the homepage for my latest picks and tips. Whether your going with some buddies to the track for some horse racing betting, wagering online, or you are just curious, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the wagers mentioned in this article.

WIN/PLACE/SHOW- This one is pretty straightforward. In order to cash on a win wager, your horse must finish ahead of all other horses in the race. For place, he can finish first or second, and for show your horse must finish first, second, or third. I would decide your wager based on the odds of the horse you are considering. While this is not a hard and fast rule, I like to have at least 1-1 to win, 3-1 to place, and 9-1 on a show wager.

EXACTA- If you wish to hit an exacta, you must pick the first two finishers in their exact finish. You can “box” the horses so they may finish either first or second. For example, if you boxed a 1,2,3 exacta it would cost you $6 and in order for you to win any combination of 1,2,3 would have to come in.

QUINELLA- This wager is the same as an exacta except for one difference. The quinella wager is already boxed, and you don’t have to pay extra for it. In rare instances it will pay more than an exacta, but usually it is a lower payoff.

TRIFECTA- So you hit an exacta, and thought it was easy, huh? Lets try a trifecta then. This one doesn’t seem much harder, but trust me, it is! As you probably guessed, to hit a trifecta you must pick the first 3 finishers in their exact order. You may also box this wager. This wager has a potential payoff of thousands. My first IRS signer was a $750 trifecta that I had invested $15 in. If you do your handicapping correctly, this wager can make your day a very good one.

SUPERFECTA- I know what your thinking. Its hard enough to pick a winner, let alone the first four finishers of a race! Some tracks feel your pain, so they have added a 10 cent superfecta wager. I love this bet, because it has the potential to pay thousands for a small investment. Just like the exacta, and trifeca, you may box this wager. These will pay significantly higher than a trifecta.

DAILY DOUBLE- Hitting this wager can line your pockets with hundred dollar bills if you can catch a long shot. All you have to do is pick the winner of two consecutive races. Sounds easy, huh? In some cases it is, in others not so much. The biggest double I have ever hit was a $3 wager which returned $350. The odds of my horses were 3/2 and 30-1.

PICK 3, 4, 6- Some people are very gifted at picking winners, but just cant seem to figure out who will run behind their selection. Don’t fret, the Pick 3,4, or 6 is for you. A single double digit horse will have the Pick 3 and Pick 4 paying hundreds, and perhaps thousands. You can catch relatively low price horses in the Pick 6, and still bring home $10,000+. The Pick 6 is my favorite wager and one of the hardest to hit. I’ve had 5 of 6 several times, but have never had all 6.