How to Bet
While comprehending the bets of racing can be confusing for novices, this section can help give you a better understanding.
Win
Your horse must finish first to collect. This is a $2 minimum wager at most tracks.
Place
Your horse must finish first or second to collect. This is a $2 minimum wager at most tracks.
Show
Your horse must finish first, second or third to collect. This is a $2 minimum wager at most tracks.
Exacta
You play two horses. They must come in first and second in EXACT order to collect. This is a $2 minimum wager at most tracks.
Exacta Box
You play two horses. They must come in first and second in EITHER order to collect. Since this has multiple wagers in combination, it is a $1 minimum wager at most tracks.
Trifecta
You play three horses. They must come in first, second, and third in EXACT order to collect. This is a $2 minimum wager at most tracks.
Trifecta Key
You play three horses. You chose one horse to win, called the key horse, who must come in first followed by the other two horses second and third in any order to collect. You may play more than two horses in second and third, which means any two of those horses can finish in those positions and you will win. Since this has multiple wagers in combination, it is a $1 minimum wager at most tracks.
Trifecta Box
You play three horses. They must finish first, second, and third in any order to collect. Since this has multiple wagers in combination, it is a $1 minimum wager at most tracks.
Superfecta
You play four horses. They must come in first, second, third, and fourth in EXACT order. This is a $2 minimum wager at most tracks.
Superfecta Box
You play four horses. They must finish first, second, third, and fourth in ANY order. Since this has multiple wagers in combination, it is a $1 minimum wager at most tracks and some even go as low as 10 cents for the minimum!
Superfecta Key
You play four horses. You chose one horse to win, called the key horse, who must come in first followed by the other three horses second, third, and fourth in any order to collect. You may play more than three horses in second, third, and fourth, which means any three of those horses can finish in those positions and you will win. You play four horses. They must finish first, second, third, and fourth in ANY order. Since this has multiple wagers in combination, it is a $1 minimum wager at most tracks and some even go as low as 10 cents for the minimum!
Multiple Combination Wager Costs
All costs are based on using a $1.00 minimum wager amount
Exacta Box
2 horse box - $2
3 horse box - $6
4 horse box - $12
5 horse box - $20
6 horse box - $30
7 horse box - $42
8 horse box - $56
Trifecta Box
3 horse box - $6
4 horse box - $24
5 horse box - $60
6 horse box - $120
7 horse box - $210
8 horse box - $336
Trifecta Key
1 horse over 3 others - $6
1 horse over 4 others - $12
1 horse over 5 others - $20
1 horse over 6 others - $30
1 horse over 7 others - $42
Superfecta Box
4 horse box - $24
5 horse box - $120
6 horse box - $360
Superfecta Key
1 horse over 3 others - $6
1 horse over 4 others - $24
1 horse over 5 others - $60
1 horse over 6 others - $120
1 horse over 7 others - $210
Win Odds and Payoffs for a $2.00 wager
| 1-9 | $2.10 | 6-5 | $4.40 | 3-1 | $8.00 | 12-1 | $26.00 | ||||||
| 1-5 | $2.40 | 7-5 | $4.80 | 4-1 | $10.00 | 15-1 | $32.00 | ||||||
| 2-5 | $2.80 | 3-2 | $5.00 | 9-2 | $11.00 | 20-1 | $42.00 | ||||||
| 1-2 | $3.00 | 8-5 | $5.20 | 5-1 | $12.00 | 30-1 | $62.00 | ||||||
| 3-5 | $3.20 | 9-5 | $5.60 | 6-1 | $14.00 | 40-1 | $82.00 | ||||||
| 4-5 | $3.60 | 2-1 | $6.00 | 8-1 | $18.00 | 50-1 | $102.00 | ||||||
| 1-1 | $4.00 | 5-2 | $7.00 | 10-1 | $22.00 |
DAILY DOUBLE: The object is to correctly select which horses will win two consecutive races. Take for example a 6-3 daily double placed in the first race. The #6 must win the 1st race and the #3 must win the 2nd race. Daily Doubles can be wheeled.
PICK-3: Correctly select the winners of three consecutive races. A Pick-3 can be wheeled.
PICK-4: Correctly select the winners of four consecutive races. A Pick-4 can be wheeled.
What is a wheel? A wheel is when you key one horse in any leg of an exotic bet with other horses. For example. You see a race where you think #3 has a high probability of winning and you want to play him in the first position only. You can "key" this horse on top in exotic bets, such as exacta, trifecta, superfecta, pick four, etc. This allows you to use more horses underneath your "Key" horse, and increases your chances of winning when your "Key" horse comes in the position you have determined. Examples are seen below.
Example #1: $1 Exacta Wheel: 3 with ALL (8 horse field) Cost: $7.
Example #2: $1 Exacta Wheel 3 with 1, 2, 7, 8. Cost: $4
Example #3: $1 Trifecta Wheel 3 with 1,2,7,8 with ALL. Cost $24. (8 horse field)
