What Are The Different Types Of Horse Bets
Straight Bets are the simplest of horse racing wagers and are, very often, the go-to bet-type for beginners. They require less risk, less experience and skill, less funds, and are generally far easier to secure a return.
- Bet Types Explained Types of Bets. A single win bet selects one outcome to happen from an event, like the winner of a football match or an. One single bet of any type. They use just one unit stake. When you combine more than one selection together under one single unit.
- A Lucky 15 is a very popular bet and consists of 15 individual bets made from 4 horse selections, running in different horse races. It is the equivalent of a Yankee but with the addition of four singles, so a Lucky 15 consists of: 4 x singles 6 x doubles.
Betting doesn’t have to be rocket science. Keep it simple by choosing a horse with a cool name. Or one that’s wearing your favorite color. But if you’re the analytical type who wants to consider 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 place 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 bet
- Your horse’s number
Ex. “At Santa Anita, third race, five dollars to win on number two.”
Types of Bets
There are many kinds of bets. But let’s start with the basic ones:
Win, Place and Show.
Win — If your horse finishes 1st, you win $$$.
Place — If your horse finishes 1st or 2nd, you win $$.
Show — If your horse finishes 1st, 2nd or 3rd, you win $.
Exotic Bets or Combination Wagers
Across the board — Three equal Win, Place and Show bets.
- If your horse finishes 1st, you win all three bets.
- If your horse finishes 2nd, you win on the Place and Show bets.
- If your horse finishes 3rd, you win on the Show bet.
Exacta — Pick two horses in one race. If they finish 1st and 2nd, in exact order, you win.
Quinella — Pick two horses. If they finish 1st or 2nd, in either order, you win. Also known as an Exacta Box.
Trifecta — Pick three horses. If they finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd, in exact order, you win.
Superfecta — Pick four horses. If they finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, in exact order, you win.
Daily Double — Two specific races make up the Daily Double. Pick one horse in each race. If they finish 1st in both races, you win. You have to make your bet before the first race.
Pick 3 — Similar to the Daily Double, but for three consecutive races.
Pick 4 — Similar to the Daily Double, but for four consecutive races.
Pick 6 — The biggest bet you can make. Pick the winning horse in six consecutive races. If you win, you win big.
If no one picks all six winners, those picking 5 out of 6 will split 30% of the Pick Six pool. The remaining 70% “carries over” to the next racing day, and will continue to do so each day until someone correctly chooses 6 winners out of 6 races.
Watch and Win
After placing your bet, watch your horse run. If your horse comes in the money, sweet! But don’t plan on buying a private jet just yet. Wait until the race has been declared “official”. Then collect your winnings at any window.
Automated Betting Machines
Once you’re familiar with placing bets, you can try using one of the self-service, automated machines. These easy-to-use machines are available at every track and offer simple directions on how to bet or collect money from a winning ticket. Easy peasy.
There are many betting types to choose from when placing a wager. From singles to multiples, we have a list of some of the most popular types of bet.
Betting Types
Single
Arguably the most common betting type. A straight win bet, placed on a single event.
Double
A single bet on two outcomes in different events. Both selections must win to guarantee a return.
Treble
A single bet on three outcomes in different events. All three selections must win to guarantee a return.
Accumulator
An accumulator comprises of four or more selections in one bet. All of the selections must win to guarantee a return.
Trixie
A bet comprising three selections and four bets – three doubles and a treble. A minimum of two selections must win to guarantee a return. For example, a £2.50 Trixie would cost £10. A £2.50 each-way Trixie would cost £20.
What Are The Different Types Of Horse Bets Betting
Patent
A bet involving three selections and seven bets – three singles, three doubles and one treble. It is the equivalent of a Trixie but with the addition of three singles. For example, a £2.50 Patent would cost £17.50.
Yankee
A bet consisting of four selections and 11 bets – six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold. A minimum of two selections must win to guarantee you a return. For example, a £2 Yankee would cost £22.
Lucky 15
A popular betting type among punters, it consists of four selections and 15 bets (hence the name) – four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold. Equivalent to a Yankee but with four singles, and only one selection must win to guarantee you a return. For example, a £2 Lucky 15 would cost £30.
Canadian
Also known as a Super Yankee, a Canadian is a bet on five selections consisting of 26 bets – ten doubles, ten trebles, five fourfold’s and a five-fold accumulator.
Lucky 31
A wager consisting of five selections and 31 bets – five singles, ten doubles, ten trebles, five fourfolds, and one fivefold. Only one selection must win to guarantee you a return. For example, a £1 Lucky 31 would cost £31.
Super Yankee
Also known as a Canadian, a Super Yankee is a bet on five selections consisting of 26 bets – ten doubles, ten trebles, five fourfolds and a fivefold accumulator.
Heinz
The Heinz bet is a six-selection bet consisting of 57 bets: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, six fivefolds and a one sixfold accumulator. Aptly named after the 57 ‘varieties’ company slogan from Heinz, this 57 bet wager is a unique bet that combines every permutation of the 6 selections into one single wager.
Lucky 63
A Lucky 63 is a bet featuring six selections and 63 bets, including: six singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, six fivefolds and one sixfold.
Super Heinz
The Super Heinz is a bet on seven selections taking part in various events consisting of 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 fivefolds, seven sixfolds, and a sevenfold accumulator which totals a huge 120 bets. Two selections must win to ensure any returns.
Goliath
A Goliath is a bet on eight selections taking part in various events consisting of 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 fourfolds, 56 fivefolds, 28 sixfolds, eight sevenfolds and an eightfold accumulator totalling 247 bets. Two selections must win to ensure any returns.
Alphabet
This is a bet on six selections composed of 26 bets: two patents (14 bets), one yankee (11 bets) and a sixfold accumulator (one bet).
Single Stakes About
A Single Stakes About is an Any To Come bet consisting of two selections from events, these are then compiled to produce two bets derived from two singles. Any return on each single (up to the original stake amount) is used to fund a further single on the other selection.
Double Stakes About
A Double Stakes About is an Any To Come bet consisting of two selections partaking in different events, which are compiled to produce two bets derived from two singles. Any return on each single, up to double the original stake amount, is used to fund a another single on the other selection.
Round Robin
The Round Robin is a three selection wager compiled of ten bets: three doubles, one treble and three up-and-down single stakes about pairs.
Flag
The ‘Flag’ wager is compiled of: six doubles, four trebles, one fourfold and six Up-And-Down SSA Pairs
Super Flag
The ‘Super Flag’ is compiled of: ten doubles, ten trebles, five fourfolds, one five-fold and ten Up-And-Down single stakes about pairs
Super Heinz Flag
Types Of Horse Bets List
The ‘Super Heinz Flag’ is compiled of: 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 fivefolds, seven sixfolds, one sevenfold and 21 Up-And-Down single stakes about pairs
Goliath Flag
The ‘Goliath Flag’ is compiled of: 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 fourfolds, 56 fivefolds, 28 sixfolds, eight sevenfolds, one eightfold and 28 Up-And-Down single stakes about pairs
Union Jack
“The Union Jack consists of eight trebles from nine selections. Groupings are determined by laying out the selections in a 3×3 grid. This forms three horizontal trebles, three vertical trebles and two diagonal trebles.”
Forecast
A straight forecast is correctly predicting the finishing order of the horses in first and second in a race.
Each-Way
“An each-way bet is a two-part bet, with half the stake going on the selection to win and the other half on the selection to place. It costs double that of a traditional win bet and will yield some sort of return if the selection wins or is placed.
For example, you place £5 each-way (£10 in total) on a horse priced at 8-1 with a bookmaker offering 1/4 odds for three places. If the horse places you will receive £15, but if the horse wins you will collect £60 (£45 for the win and £15 for the place), both returns including the original stake.”
Reverse Forecast
A reverse forecast is correctly selecting the first two horses but in no particular order.
Match Bet
Mаtched bеtting is a bеtting technique used by individuals to profit from the free bets and incentives offered by bookmakers.
Placepot
What Are The Different Types Of Horse Bets At A
The Placepot is another favourite for racegoers. Select a horse in each of the first six races at a specific racecourse on a single day, and if that horse finishes in the placings you win a share of the total pool. One unplaced selection and the bet is off!
Jackpot
Quite possibly the hardest bet to win. Correctly predict the first six winners at a specific racecourse on a single day to win a share of the pool. One wrong selection and the bet is off!
What Are The Different Types Of Horse Bets Odds
If you want to work out your winnings from a multiple bet such as an accumulator, we recommend you use a betting calculator to do it for you. See our list of betting calculators here.