Horse racing betting is a fun and exciting way to enjoy an afternoon. For those of you who have never bet on horse racing, there are a few things that you should know to help you along your way.
The main objective of the betting is to beat what is known as the Oddsmakers or the Odds Compilers so that you can win money from the bet. Placing your wager is done via a Sports Book, either at the racetrack or via the Internet. The key here is to remember that the Oddsmaker is the one setting the available odds and the Sports Book is the means via which you place your bet.
There are many different sorts of betting options available, but the simplest and easiest of these is the straight or single bet. The only way to win is if the horse that you have chosen crosses first over the finish line. Place means that you can take winnings if your chosen horse crosses the finish line in either first or second place.
Show is a bet placed to encompass the odds of your chosen horse finishing in either first, second or third place. Things start getting more interesting as you move along to the next option which is the Combination Bet, which gives the option of choosing between two and four horses to win in a specific order.
If you are in the mood to choose the winners of three consecutive races, you would select the Pick 3 betting option. Pick 6 is a similar concept, allowing the person betting to pick the winners of six consecutive races. Often your racetrack will allow you to do this with six sets of upcoming races, varying between the first, second or last set of six races for the day.
The Quiniela or the Reverse Forecast is a UK concept offering the option to choose the winning or second place horses in two consecutive races in any order. Conversely, the Exacta or Straight Forecast gives the betting man or woman the option to pick two horses that must finish the race in exact order.
The Treble Forecast, as the name suggests, allows you to bet on three horses to finish in a specified order. A bet placed using the Superfecta option requires the person betting to select the exact four horses expected to cross the finish line in exact order. If you bet on the Daily Double you would choose the horses that are your favourites to win both the first as well as the second race being run that day. If you thought horse race betting was easy, I’m sure you will be surprised!. The Jackpot betting option allows you to choose six winners to give you the chance to share in the jackpot prize for that day.
Your Parlay or Accumulator bet means that you take simultaneous bets on two or more races on the day. This is different to the Future Bet, which is made on upcoming races. Future betting is made on upcoming races that have not yet been run.Prizes are different, depending on the racetrack.
Horse racing betting is an invariably complex and interesting sports activity, encompassing its fair share of glamour and excitement which attracts participants from all walks of life. Either way, a little help from Lady Luck will not go amiss.