Although many view betting on horse racing a bit complicated, the key is to get the wager types down to make the process easier, especially when it comes to placing your bets. Before the next horse race comes around, keep in mind the following wager types.
Win, place, and show are the three most common types of wagers, and ones that even beginner betters can remember. Win means that you’re betting the horse is going to come in first, place means that you’re betting that the horse is going to come in first or second, and show means you’re betting that the horse will come in first, second, or third.
An across the board wager means that you’re betting that the horse will win, place, and show, Essentially it means that you’re placing three bets in one, which means three times the wager. For example, if you’re betting $2 – which is usually the minimum at many race tracks – you would bet $6 rather than just $2. If your horse comes in first, you win all three bets, and for second place, you’ll win the place and show bets. For third place, you’ll win the show bet.
You choose two horses to come in first and second, but in any order. For example, if you bet on Horse A and B, you’ll still win whether Horse B comes in first or second.
The Exacta bet is the same as the Quinella bet for one exception: the horses you choose have to finish in order. For example, if you bet on Horse A and B in that order, you’ll only win if Horse A comes in first and Horse B comes in second.
The Trifecta wager is similar to the Exacta bet, you’re just throwing a third horse into the mix. You have to pick three horses and choose in what order they’ll finish for the first, second, and third place spots.
The Superfecta wager is just like the Trifecta, but this time there’s also a fourth horse included. You’re betting on who will finish in first, second, third, and fourth place and in order.
Now that you have the basic and “exotic” wagers (Quinella, Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta) down, you are all set on how to bet on the Kentucky Derby for Saturday, May 2nd, 2015.