How to Bet on a Live Horse Race

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Locate a horse track and determine its racing schedule.

   These cost about $4 and include information about the horses and jockeys in each race. , The monitors display dynamic betting odds, race number, and a live feed on what is happening on the racetrack. , You can find the race number on the monitors. , Each horse is assigned a number that appears in the program and on the horse's saddle pad.
   
   Evaluate the horses one at a time using the information provided in the program:
   Look at the percent chance that the jockey will win the race on this particular horse.
   
   This can be found under the jockey’s name.
   
   Look at the horse's race record.
   
   Most programs have a diagram at the beginning that will show you where it can be found.
   
   Look at the estimated odds of this horse winning the race.
   
   This will appear as a large number printed next to the horse’s information.
   
   Note: the published odds are estimates and can change depending on the track condition, amount of money bet on the horse, and other factors.
   
   These changes can be observed on the monitors prior to each race.
   
   Take into consideration the estimated outcome for the first three places.
   
   This information is usually printed at the top of the page.
   
   Consider the following additional information located in the back of the program:
   Jockey’s overall win percentage Trainer’s overall win percentage Owner’s overall win percentage , Some common bets are as follows:
   Place a ‘win’ bet if you think you know the winning horse.
   
   Ex: “$2 to win on number
   3.” Make a ‘place’ bet if you think a horse will come in first or second.
   
   Place a ‘show’ bet if you think a horse will come in first or second or third.
   
   Place an ‘exacta’ bet if you think you know the first and second place horses in order.
   
   Ex: “$2 extra, numbers 3 and
   5.” (3 will come in first and 5 will come in second) Place a ‘quinella’ bet if you think you know the first and second place horses, but not the exact order.
   
   Place a ‘trifecta’ bet if you think you know the first, second, and third place horses in the exact order.
   
   Place a ‘superfecta’ bet if you think you know the first, second, third, and fourth place horses in the exact order. , The more people bet for a particular horse, the worse your odds are.
   
   Preferably, you want a winning horse, which isn't favored by the crowd. , You will receive a ticket with the details of the bet. ,, If you have a winning ticket, present it to the cashier and you will receive a cash voucher for the amount you have won. ,
2. 2

   Step 2: Plan on arriving at least half an hour early to familiarize yourself with the track.

3. 3

   Step 3: Purchase a racing program.

4. 4

   Step 4: Find a seat with a comfortable view of one of the racing monitors.

5. 5

   Step 5: Open the program to the current race.

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   Step 6: Decide on which horses you think have the best chance of winning.

7. 7

   Step 7: Decide what kind of bet you would like to make and the amount you want to bet.

8. 8

   Step 8: Think about where everyone else is betting.

9. 9

   Step 9: Locate the betting table and place your bet with one of the cashiers.

10. 10

    Step 10: Watch the race and wait for the official outcome to appear on the monitors.

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    Step 11: If you have a losing ticket

12. 12

    Step 12: discard it.

13. 13

    Step 13: At the end of the day

14. 14

    Step 14: take all of your vouchers to the cashier to receive your winnings in cash.

Detailed Guide

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