Horse Racing 101

[KarlMarxJr]

WIN
This bet pays when the number purchased is the winner of the race. Multiple win bets (eg. betting several nos. to win) are allowed in each race. Win odds are displayed on the toteboard for each horse in the race.

PLACE
This bet pays if the number purchased finishes first or second. In some countries where SHOW betting is non-existent, this bet pays for first, second and third positions. Some tracks display place odds on the toteboard, while others display these odds on the rotating bet display monitors positioned at various points at the track.

SHOW
This bet pays if the number purchased finishes first, second or third. In some countries where SHOW betting is non-existent, this bet is replaced by the Place bet. Some tracks display shows odds on the toteboard, while others display these odds on the rotating bet display monitors positioned at various points at the track.

EXACTA / PERFECTA
This bet involves two horses in the same race. The bet pays if the nos. purchased finishes first and second in the exact order specified. Combinations of nos. are allowed which are more popularly known as box or wheel. If you think that either of three horses can finish first or second in the race, then you should box all three nos. for the exacta. This means that if the winner and the second horse are in your selections, you win. Wheeling is less costly, but is a more exacting type of bet. Use the wheel bet only if you can confidently reduce the winner to one or two horses. To wheel, you must specify the nos. to win followed by the nos. for second.
Exacta odds are usually displayed on the rotating bet display monitors positioned at various points around the track.
Exacta/Perfecta Combinations
2-horse box 2 bets
3-horse box 6 bets
4-horse box 12 bets
5-horse box 20 bets
Wheel 1 with 3 others 3 bets
Wheel 1 with 5 others 5 bets
Wheel 2 with 3 inclusive 4 bets
Wheel 2 with 4 inclusive 6 bets



Inclusive means the numbers used are repeated.

QUINELLA
This bet involves two horses in the same race. The bet pays if the nos. purchased finishes first and second in any order. Combinations of nos. are allowed which are more popularly known as box or wheel. If you think that either of three horses can finish first or second in the race, then you should box all three nos. for the quinella. This means that if the winner and the second horse are in your selections, you win. Quinella odds are usually displayed on the rotating bet display monitors positioned at various points around the track.

Quinella Combinations

3-horse box 3 bets
4-horse box 6 bets
5-horse box 10 bets
Wheel 1 with 3 others 3 bets
Wheel 1 with 5 others 5 bets
Wheel 2 with 4 inclusive 5 bets
Wheel 2 with 5 inclusive 7 bets

*Inclusive means the numbers used are repeated.

TRIFECTA
The trifecta requires the bettor to spot first, second and third in the exact order of finish. Unless you are a pro, you should always box or wheel this bet. The payout on this bet is always going to be higher than the exacta or quinela because of the level of difficulty involved. Just listen to the ardent turfites at the track speaking to themselves after the race about how close they came to catching the trifecta along with a multitude of excuses which seem to repeat race after race.
These odds are not usually displayed, mainly because of the number of combinations.

Trifecta Combinations
3-horse box 6 bets
4-horse box 24 bets
5-horse box 60 bets
Wheel 1x3x3 others incl. 6 bets
Wheel 1x4x4 others incl. 12 bets
Wheel 1x5x5 others incl. 20 bets
Wheel 2x3x3 inclusive 4 bets
Wheel 2x4x4 inclusive 12 bets
Wheel 2x5x5 inclusive 24 bets
*Inclusive means the numbers used are repeated.

DOUBLE
This bet requires you to identify both winners of two separate races (usually in succession). Wheel bets are common when playing the double. Doubles are sometimes sold in overlapping races. eg. race 1 with race2, race 2 with race3, race3 with race4 and so on.
Double odds are usually displayed on the rotating bet display monitors positioned at various points around the track.

Double Combinations

Wheel 1 with 3 others 3 bets
Wheel 1 with 5 others 5 bets
Wheel 2 with 3 others 6 bets
Wheel 2 with 4 others 8 bets
Wheel 2 with 5 others 10 bets