Lots and Slots of Races Multi Wager Game Play
Advanced Handicapping Settings
Placing single wagers and viewing live race content using Wager Pad
Cashier and Account Profile
If you have just created an account and are ready to place wagers be certain you have visited our cashier or used a promotional code to deposit funds to your account. Our cashier will show you a history of deposits and withdraws, any balance you have will be available for all of our wagering options.
We suggest viewing our video guides above for a quick informative overview of how to get started playing our games or accessing important features throughout our site. Our text guide will provide information on entering single wagers using our Wager Pad and detailed explanations of different wager types, options available, and general racing terminology.
Content for live wagering currently includes horse racing and dog racing where you can wager using our standard Wager Pad to input single wagers or use our Games that offer a unique look with automatic or manual handicapping options available to easily place multiple wagers. All of our wagering options allow the ability to view live video, the video options can be found at the top of our games or just above our Wager Pad.
*Content available is based on legal jurisdiction and to be determined based on account creation. See our Privacy Policy for more information regarding jurisdictions where we currently operate.
Before placing a wager, it is helpful to understand the basics of the race program guide, access to our guide can be found on our main navigation or throughout our Wager Pad and games. Our virtual guide displays details for all content types allowing you to see detailed runner information, real time race odds and probable payouts to help make the best betting choices. First, choose a track and race number in order to load program guide details. Then, you can evaluate the odds and horse details in order to choose the runner(s) that you think will perform the best in the race. Use our advanced guide features to highlight selections and make pre-race notes. These advanced features make wager selections easier to select when placing wagers just before a race begins.
Once you decide on what type of bet you want to make and the runner(s) you wish to bet on, proceed to any Pari-Mutuel teller in order to place your bet. When you get to the cashier, you will need to know:
For example, you would tell a cashier:
"I want to bet on Derby Lane, race #1. Give me a $2 Exacta on numbers 1 and 7."
Using any current web browser, you will be able to access our online bet pad to submit your wagers. If you are new to betting, simply follow the same guidelines as above for a teller transaction by building the bet components yourself.
Using any current web browser, you will be able to access our online Wager Pad to submit your wagers. If you are new to betting, simply follow the guidelines below to understand how to build a desired bet.
To place a new bet, start with a clear Wager Pad. You can get to a blank pad by clicking “Wager Now”, or through the “Options “Menu in our main navigation. If you have already tried to place a bet, and wish to place a new one, simply click “Start Over” on the bottom of the pad to clear any previous wager information entered.
After clearing the Wager Pad simply do the following:
If you are making a more sophisticated “exotic” wager that involves more than one runner you have the option of playing a combination of runners by using the Box, Key, All or With functions. These functions will be explained in more detail below.
WAGER MODIFIERS-Selecting Multiple Runners when making Exotic Wagers Box, Key, All and With functions
BOX - Boxing runners in a wager (BX)
When you choose to use the “BOX” function when placing a wager it allows you to select more than one runner in a specific finishing position in the race. This wager modifier basically allows the runners you select to finish in any order and still give you a winning selection. For example, lets say you have three runners that you feel could win or finish second in a given race and you can’t choose between them. They are #2, #4 and #5. You are planning to play the Exacta on the race and want to include all three runners in your wagering. What you can do is after selecting the wager amount (let’s use $2) and the Exacta as the wager type is the choose the “Box” function and then select the #2, #4 and #5 runners. By choosing the “box” functionality you are automatically making a total of six wagers covering all of the possible combinations between the three different runners. So the cost of this wager would be a total of $12 if you had selected a standard $2 amount as your starting wager amount. But now those three runners you selected can finish in any order in the Exacta and you will have a winning event. You can also box runners when wagering on the Trifecta and Superfecta but you need to cautious regarding the total number of wagers you are automatically making in the process. Using this type of wager modifier can quickly increase the amount of your overall wager so in many instances you can wager in smaller denominations when using functionality like the “boxed” bet. So if you just can’t make up your mind and you want to wager on more than just one runner this type of wager function can help accomplish that.
KEY – Using a “Key” Runner in the first position of a trifecta or superfecta wager.
When you choose to use the “KEY” function when placing a wager it allows you to select a specific runner in the first position of a trifecta or superfecta wager and then use that one “KEY” runner in combination with a number of additional runners in the remaining finishing positions. For example, if you had 8 runners in a trifecta race and felt strongly that the #5 was going to win and you also liked the #1, #2, #4 and #7 you could “KEY” the #5 “WITH” the #1, #2, #4 and #7. What this does is make a combination of wagers where the 5 will be selected to win in all the wagers and the other 4 runners would be used in all of the second and third positions. The total wager for a $2 base amount is $24 because there are a total of 12 combinations being played on this one wager.
WITH – Allows the use of multiple runners in different positions in the wager string.
The “WITH” function is one of the most frequently used wager modifiers. This function allows players to easily use multiple runners in different finishing positions in a wager and eliminates the need to enter each wager separately. Here is an example of how this function can be used to create what are commonly called “Wheel” or “Partial Wheel” wagers. A popular wagering strategy among many Pick 3 bettors is the $1 Pick 3 “partial wheel”. For example, if you play a $1 Pick 3 wheel combining runners #5 and #6 in the first race of the Pick 3 “with” runners #1 and #2 in the second leg “with” runners #6 and #7 in the third leg (5,6 with 1,2 with 6,7) at a cost of $8 ( $1 * 2 runners * 2 runners * 2 runners = 8 possible combinations), runners #5 or #6 must win the first race of the Pick 3, runners #1 or #2 must win the second race and runners #6 or #7 must win the third race in the Pick 3 in order for you to cash a winning ticket. You will find that the “With” wager modifier can make placing wagers with multiple runners much easier than placing each wager individually.
ALL – The all wager modifier allows you to easily play “ALL” of the runners in a race at once.
The “ALL” wager modifier is used frequently when a player feels strongly that one specific runner is going to finish in a particular position in a race and then does not feel comfortable with where the remaining runners will end up at the finish. In order to help accommodate making a wager where all the runners are covered in the wager the “ALL” function can be quite useful. Here are a couple of examples of its use. Lets say there is a trifecta race with 7 runners and you really feel the #7 is going to be the winner but cannot decide how the remaining runners will finish. An easy way to place the wager covering all the remaining runners would be to “KEY” the #7 (this means the #7 must win the race) “WITH” “ALL”. This base $2 wager will place a total of 30 different combinations for a cost of $60 but if the #7 wins it makes no difference how the remaining runners finish because you would have all of the different combinations covered and be assured of a winning ticket. This wager is also known as a “Wheel” bet. A “Wheel” bet occurs when you have only one runner in a finishing position in the wager with all of the other runners.
Another alternative would be to consider that same race but you have multiple runners that you feel could finish in the top two positions but are unsure about who would finish third. If you felt strongly that the #1, #2 and #3 would finish in the top two spots with the #1 and #2 were the top selections to finish first you couple place the following wager using the wager modifiers. The wager would be entered as follows: $2 TR #1 and #2 “WITH” #1 and #2 and #3 “WITH” “ALL”. By placing this wager the #1 or #2 must finish first, then #1, #2 or #3 must finish second and then any of the runners can finish third for you to have a winning ticket. By placing the base $2 wager in this fashion you would have a total of 20 possible winning combinations for a total cost of $40. This wager is also another example of a “partial wheel”.
Minimum bet - $2 per wager in most cases but some tracks have lower denominations.
Minimum bet - $2 per wager in most cases but some tracks have lower denominations.
Minimum bet - $2 per runner in most cases but some tracks have lower denominations.
QUINIELA Bet (QN) Pick at least two runners you think will cross the finish line in the top two places. With this type of bet, the runners can finish in either order, and you would still have a winner.
If you are right, you will get the "Quiniela" payoff amount.
(Minimum bet - $1 per runner combination)
Win-Place Betting (WP) - When you make a Win-Place bet, your runner must finish first or second in order for you to cash your ticket. If your runner wins, you collect both the win payoff and the place payoff. If your runner finishes second, you collect only the place payoff. Obviously, it is better if your runner wins, but the additional place option in this type of bet offers you a chance to recoup some of your investment if your runner fails to win, but still finishes second.
Keep in mind that this wager consists of two bets and will be double the cost of a single straight Win or Place wager.
Win-Show Betting (WS) - When you make a Win-Show bet, your runner must finish first, second or third for you to cash your ticket. If your runner wins, you collect both the win payoff and the show payoff. If your runner finishes second or third, you collect only the show payoff. Obviously, it is better if your runner wins, but the additional show option in this type of bet offers you a chance to recoup some of your investment if your runner fails to win, but still finishes second or third.
Keep in mind that this wager consists of two bets and will be double the cost of a single straight Win or Show wager.
Place-Show Betting (PS) - When you make a Place-Show bet, your runner must finish first, second or third for you to cash your ticket. If your runner wins or finishes second, you collect both the place payoff and the show payoff. If your runner finishes third, you collect only the show payoff. When placing this wager you will never collect the win amount because no win wager was placed with this combination. Obviously, it is better if your runner finishes first or second, but the additional show option in this type of bet offers you a chance to recoup some of your investment if your runner fails to finish first or second but still finishes third.
Keep in mind that this wager consists of two bets and will be double the cost of a single straight Place or Show wager.
Win-Place-Show Betting- Also know as Across The Board Betting (WPS) - When you bet on a runner across the board (Win . Place and Show), your runner must finish first, second or third in order for you to cash your ticket. If your runner wins, you collect all three payoffs—win, place and show. If your runner finishes second, you collect the place and show payoffs. If your runner finishes third, you collect only the show payoff. Obviously, it is better if your runner wins, but the additional place and show options in this wager offer you a chance to recoup some of your investment if your runner fails to win but still finishes second or third.
Keep in mind that this wager consists of three bets and will be triple the cost of a single straight Win, Place or Show wager.
Single race multiple runnerwagers require you to pick multiple runners in the same race to finish in the first two to six positions. While these types of exotic bets are more difficult to plan and execute than straight bets, they also offer greater opportunities to win large amounts of money.
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
Another component of the Super High 5 is in many cases the pool of available winnings are carried over to the next available Super High 5 race or to the next days Super High 5 race if no winning ticket is selected by the players of the race. In case a percentage of the pool is paid to the players with partial winning tickets and the balance is carried over. All of the payouts depend on how the wager is designed by each track operator and can vary from track to track. But the challenge comes in selecting those five runners in exact order, but if you are successful the payout for this wager could be substantial.
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
The most common multi-race bets require you to pick the winners of anywhere between 2-6 individual races in a row. The most common multi-race wagers are the Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 6. A newer wager that can create large carry over pools is called the Rainbow 6 where the jackpot portion of the pool is only paid when there is one winning ticket sold.
Traditionally offered on the first two races of a race card, many racetracks now offer both an early and late Daily Double. Occasionally, tracks will even offer rolling Daily Doubles throughout the card on consecutive races. The Daily Double is very popular among traditional long-time race goers because it is the oldest of the exotic multi-race wagers.
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
Playing the Pick 6 as a straight $2 ticket at a cost of just $2 offers a chance at large payouts. For example, if each race in a Pick 6 had eight runners, the odds of a straight $2 ticket winning would be calculated as (8 * 8 * 8 * 8 * 8 * 8 = 262,144 combinations) or 262,144 to 1. Of course, all runners generally do not have an equal chance of winning each race, so the odds may be reduced or increased accordingly based on informed selections and runners’ relative chances of winning. Because no bettor could realistically afford to cover all 262,144 combinations, or even the thousands of semi-logical combinations, a single runner (or “key”) must often be used in one or more races of the Pick 6 in order to make the ticket affordable. The “key” horse is the main expected winning horse, used in multiple combinations in an exotic wager.
For example, say you found two races in the Pick 6 in which you really liked one runner and a few other races where you could narrow down the contenders. Your $1 Pick 6 partial wheel ticket might look like this: 7 with 1,2,3 with 2,4 with 5 with All (8 runners) with 5,6. The cost of such a $1 Pick 6 wheel would be ($1 * 1 * 3 * 2 * 1 * 8 * 2 = 96 combinations) an affordable $96. A popular method of playing the Pick 6 among friends is to combine the financial resources of several bettors in an effort to cover more combinations.
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
Wagering on the Rainbow 6 is the same as wagering on the Pick 6 but as mentioned above that one winning ticket is the key to taking down the carryover pool. So see the notes above on the Pick 6 for some thoughts on how to make this type of wager. And best of luck on that big winning event. We will be pulling for you!!!
Minimum bet - Varies by track.
Betting Terminology
Accumulator
(See ‘Parlay’) A multiple bet. A kind of 'let-it-ride' bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more races with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following race selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the accumulator.
Across The Board
(See 'Place') A bet on a horse to win, place or show. Three wagers combined in one. If the horse wins, the player wins all three wagers, if second, two, and if third, one.
Ajax
UK slang term for 'Betting Tax'.
Also Ran
Any selection not finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a race or event.
Ante Post
(Also, Futures) Bets placed in advance predicting the outcome of a future event. Ante-post prices are those on major sporting events, usually prior to the day of the event itself. In return for the chance of better odds, punters risk the fact that stakes are not returned if their selection pulls out or is cancelled.
Arbitrage
Where a variation in odds available allows a punter to back both sides and guarantee a win.
ATS
Against The Spread.
Back
To bet or wager.
Backed
A 'backed' horse is one on which lots of bets have been placed.
Backed-In
A horse which is backed-in means that bettors have outlaid a lot of money on that horse, with the result being a decrease in the odds offered.
Back Marker
In a standing start event, which is handicapped, the horse who is given the biggest handicap is known as the backmarker.
Banker
(Also, Key) Highly expected to win. The strongest in a multiple selection in a parlay or accumulator. In permutation bets the banker is a selection that must win to guarantee any returns.
Bar Price
Refers to the odds of those runners in a race not quoted with a price during early betting shows. The bar price is the minimum odds for any of those selections not quoted.
Beard (US)
A friend or acquaintance or other contact who is used to placing bets so that the bookmakers will not know the identity of the actual bettor. Many top handicappers and persons occupying sensitive positions use this method of wagering.
Beeswax
UK slang term for betting tax. Also known as 'Bees' or 'Ajax'.
Bet
A transaction in which monies are deposited or guaranteed.
Betting Board
A board used by the bookmaker to display the odds of the horses engaged in a race.
Betting Ring
The main area at a racecourse where the bookmakers operate.
Betting Tax
Tax on a Bookmaker's turnover. In the UK this is a 'Duty' levied on every Pound wagered. Common methods of recouping this by the punter are to deduct tax from returns (winnings) or to pay tax with the stake/wager. In the latter case, no tax is deducted from the punter's winnings.
Bettor (US)
Someone who places or has a bet. A 'Punter' in the UK.
Beyer Number
A handicapping tool, popularized by author Andrew Beyer, assigning a numerical value to each race run by a horse based on final time and track condition. This enables different horses running at different racetracks to be objectively compared.
Bismarck
A favourite which the bookmakers do not expect to win.
Blanket Finish
When the horses finish so close to the winning line you could theoretically put a single blanket across them.
Blind Bet
A bet made by a racetrack bookmaker on another horse to divert other bookmakers' attention away from his sizeable betting on his/her main horse thus to avoid a shortening of the odds on the main horse.
Board
Short for 'Tote Board' on which odds, betting pools and other race information are displayed.
Bomb(er)
A winning horse sent off at very high odds.
Book
A bookmaker's tally of amounts bet on each competitor, and odds necessary to assure him of profit.
Bookie
(U.K.) Short for bookmaker. The person or shop who accepts bets.
Bookmaker
Person who is licensed to accept bets on the result of an event based on their provision of odds to the customer. (Sportsbook US).
Bottle
UK slang, odds of 2 to 1.
Box
A wagering term denoting a combination bet whereby all possible numeric combinations are covered.
Book
A collection of all the bets taken on fixed odds betting events.
Bookmaker (Bookie)
A person registered and licensed to bet with the public.
Breakage
Those pennies that are left over in pari-mutuel payoffs which are rounded out to a nickel or dime.
Bridge-Jumper (US)
Bettor who specializes in large show bets on odd-on favourites.
Buck (US)
A bet of US $100 (also known as a 'dollar bet').
Burkington Bertie
100/30.
Buy Price
In Spread or Index betting, the higher figure quoted by an Index bookmaker.
Buy the Rack (US)
Purchase every possible daily-double or other combination ticket.
Canadian
Also known as a Super Yankee. A Canadian is a combination bet consisting of 26 bets with 5 selections in different events. The combination bet is made up of 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five 4-folds and one 5-fold.
Carpet
UK slang for Odds of 3 to 1 (also known as 'Tres' or 'Gimmel').
Century
GBP£ 100 (also known as a 'Ton').
Chalk
Wagering favorite in a race. Dates from the days when on-track bookmakers would write current odds on a chalkboard.
Chalk Player
Bettor who wagers on favorites.
Client (US)
Purchaser of betting information from horseman or other tipster.
Close (US)
Final odds on a horse (e.g. 'closed at 5 to 1'). Confusingly equates to 'Starting Price' in the UK.
Closer
A horse that runs best in the latter part of the race (closing race), coming from off the pace.
Co-Favorites
Where three or more competitors share the status as favorite.
Combination Bet
Selecting any number of teams/horses to finish first and second in either order.
Daily Double
Type of wager calling for the selection of winners of two consecutive races, usually the first and second. See 'Late Double'.
Daily Triple
A wager where the bettor must select the winner of three consecutive races.
Dead Heat
A tie. Two or more horses finishing equal in a race.
Deductions
When a horse is scratched from a race after betting on that race has already started, deductions are taken out of the win and place bets at a rate in proportion to the odds of the scratched horse.
Dime (US)
A bet of USD$ 1,000 (also known as a 'dime bet').
Dividend
The amount that a winning or placed horse returns for every $1 bet by the bettor.
Dog (US)
The underdog in any betting proposition.
Dog Player (US)
A bettor who mainly wagers on the underdog.
Double
Selecting the winners in two specific races.
Double Carpet
UK slang for Odds of 33 to 1, based on 'Carpet'.
Drift
(Also, Ease) Odds that 'Lengthen', are said to have drifted, or be 'On The Drift'.
Dual Forecast
A tote bet operating in races of 3 or more declared runners in which the punter has to pick the first two to finish in either order.
Each Way
UK term for betting on a horse to win and/or 'Place'. An each way bet is when you have the same amount on the horse for a win and for a place. Bookmakers will give you one quarter of the win odds for a place in fields of eight or more and one third of the win odds in fields of six or seven horses.
Each Way Double
Two separate bets of a win double and a place double.
Each Way Single
Two bets. The first is for the selection to win; the second for it to be placed (each way).
Equivalent Odds
Mutuel price horses would pay for each $1 bet.
Even Money Bet (or Evens)
A 1:1 bet. A $10 wager wins $10.
Exacta
(Also, Perfecta) A wager that picks the first two finishers in a race in the exact order of finish. (Straight Forecast in the UK.)
Exacta Box
A wager in which all possible combinations using a given number of horses are covered.
Exotic (wager)
Any wager other than win, place or show.
Exposure
The amount of money one actually stands to lose on a game or race.
False Favorite
A horse that is a race favorite despite being outclassed by others.
Favorite
The most popular horse in a race, which is quoted at the lowest odds because it is deemed to have the best chance of winning the race.
Field
1) All the runners in a race. 2) Some sportsbooks or bookmakers may well group all the outsiders in a competition under the banner headline of 'Field' and put it head to head with the favorite. This is known as favorite vs the field betting and is common in horse and golf betting.
Field Horse
Two or more starters running as a single betting unit, when there are more entrants than positions on the totalisator board can accommodate.
Fixed Odds
Your dividend is fixed at the odds when you placed your bet.
Flag
A bet consisting of 23 bets (a 'Yankee' plus 6 'Single Stakes About' bets in pairs) on 4 selections in different event.
Flash (US)
Change of odds information on tote board.
Fold
When preceded by a number, a fold indicates the number of selections in an accumulator (e.g. 5-Fold = 5 selections).
Forecast
A wager that involves correctly predicting the 1st and 2nd for a particular event. This bet can be straight, reversed or permed. (USA, Perfecta or Exacta).
Form Player
A bettor who makes selections from past-performance records.
Full Cover
All the doubles, trebles and accumulators involved in a given number of selections.
Futures
(Also, Ante Post) Bets placed in advance predicting the outcome of a future event.
Grand
GBP£ 1,000 (also known as a Big'un).
Handicap
1) Race for which the track handicapper assigns the weights to be carried. Each horse is allocated a different weight to carry, the theory being all horses then run on a fair and equal basis.. 2) To make selections on the basis of past performances.
Handicapper
The official who decides the weights to be carried in handicap events, and the grading of horses and greyhounds.
Hedge
The covering of a bet with a second bet.
Hedging
A bet made by a cautious bookie on a horse on which he has accepted large bets - in order to cut his losses if the horse wins (also known as a 'lay-off bet').
Heinz
A Heinz is a multiple bet consisting of 57 bets involving 6 selections in different events. The multiple bet breakdown is 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15x4-folds, 6x5-folds and one 6-fold.
In The Money
Describes the horses in a race that finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd (and sometimes 4th) or the horses on which money will be paid to bettors, depending on the place terms.
In The Red
Are odds shown in red on the betting boards because they are Odds-On bets.
Investor
A bettor. A person at a licensed race meeting who bets with a bookmaker or the totalisator, or a person not present at the meeting, but places bets on the horses engaged at that meeting with the off-course totalisator.
Joint Favourites
When a sportsbook or bookmaker cannot separate two horses or teams for favouritism, they are made joint favourites.
Jolly
The favourite in a race.
Juice
The bookmaker's commission, also known as vigorish or vig.
Key Horse
The main expected winning horse used in multiple combinations in an exotic wager.
Kite
UK slang for a cheque ('Check' in the US).
Late Double
A second daily double offered during the latter part of the program. See 'Daily Double' above.
Lay Off, Layoff
Bets made by one bookmaker with another bookmaker, in an effort to reduce his liability in respect of bets already laid by him with investors.
LBO
Acronym for 'Licensed Betting Office' in the UK.
Leg In
To nominate one runner to win with a selection of other runners. This is possible on Forecast, Quinella, Trifecta, Quartet and Superfecta (eg. Quinella bet with selection 4 to win, from runners 5, 7, 8 and 9 to come second, in any order).
Lengthen
The opposite of 'Shorten'. Referred to odds getting longer, that is, more attractive to the bettor.
Lock
(As in 'Banker') US term for an almost certain winner. Easy winner.
Long Odds
More than 10:1.
Long Shot
(Also, Outsider) A runner is often referred to as being a long shot, because of the fact it is returning high odds and is therefore deemed to have little chance of winning the race.
Market
The list of all horses engaged in a race and their respective odds.
Minus Pool
A mutuel pool caused when a horse is so heavily played that, after deductions of state tax and commission, there is not enough money left to pay the legally prescribed minimum on each winning bet. The racing association usually makes up the difference.
Monkey
GBP£ 500.
Morning Line
Approximate odds quoted before wagering begins.
Mutuel Pool
Short for 'Parimutuel Pool'. Sum of the wagers on a race or event, such as the win pool, daily double pool, exacta pool, etc.
Nap
The selection that racing correspondents and tipsters nominate as their strongest selection of the day or meeting. Reputed to stand for 'Napoleon'.
Nickel
A $500 wager.
Odds
The sportsbook's or bookmaker's view of the chance of a competitor winning (adjusted to include a profit). The figure or fraction by which a bookmaker or totalisator offers to multiply a bettor's stake, which the bettor is entitled to receive (plus his or her own stake) if their selection wins.
Odds-against
Where the odds are greater than evens (e.g. 5 to 2). When the bookmaker's or totalisator's stake is greater than the bettor's stake. For example, a horse that is quoted at 4:1 would be odds against, because if it wins a race, the bookmaker or totalisator returns $4 for every dollar a bettor places on that horse, plus his or her original outlay.
Odds Compiler
Same as 'Oddsmaker' below.
Oddsmaker
A person who sets the betting odds. (Sportsbooks or Bookies don't set the odds. Most major sportsbooks use odds set by Las Vegas oddsmakers.)
Odds Man (US)
At tracks where computers are not in use, an employee who calculates changing odds as betting progresses.
Odds-On
Odds of less than even money. This a bet where you have to outlay more than you win. For example if a horse is two to one Odds-On, you have to outlay two dollars to win one dollar and your total collect if the horse wins is three dollars. That is made up of your two dollars and the one dollar you win.
Off the Board (US)
A horse so lightly bet that its pari-mutuel odds exceed 99 to 1. Also, a game or event on which the bookie will not accept action.
Off-Track Betting (OTB)
Wagering at legalized betting outlets.
On The Board
Finishing among the first three.
On The Nose
Betting a horse to win only.
Outlay
The money a bettor wagers is called his or her outlay.
Out Of The Money
A horse that finishes worse than third.
Outsider
A horse that is not expected to win. An outsider is usually quoted at the highest odds.
Overbroke
Where the book results in a loss for the bookmaker.
Overlay
A horse going off at higher odds than it appears to warrant based on its past performances.
Parimutuel(s)
A form of wagering originated in 1865 by Frenchman Pierre Oller in which all money bet is divided up among those who have winning tickets, after taxes, takeout and other deductions are made. Oller called his system 'Parier Mutuel' meaning 'Mutual Stake' or 'betting among ourselves'. As this wagering method was adopted in England it became known as 'Paris Mutuals', and soon after 'Parimutuels'.
Parlay
(Also, Accumulator) A multiple bet. A kind of 'let-it-ride' bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more races with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following race selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the parlay.
Part Wheel
Using a key horse or horses in different, but not all possible, exotic wagering combinations.
Patent
A multiple bet consisting of 7 bets involving 3 selections in different events. A single on each selection, plus 3 doubles and 1 treble.
Penalty
A weight added to the handicap weight of a horse.
Permutations
It is possible to Perm bets or selections (e.g. on 4 selections all the possible doubles could be Permed making 6 bets).
Phone Betting
A service enabling punters to bet on horses with bookmakers by using telephones.
Phone TAB
Another phone betting service, provided by a totalisator which allows people with special betting accounts to place bets via the telephone. Much the same as a bank account, you must have a credit balance to be able to place a bet. The cost of the investment is debited to your account, and winning dividends and refunds are automatically credited to your account.
Picks
Betting selections, usually by an expert.
Pick Six (or more)
A type of wager in which the winners of all the included races must be selected.
Place
Finish in the top two, top three, top four and sometimes also top five in a competition or event. A Place bet will win if the selection you bet on is among those placed. Usually, a horse runs a place if it finishes in the first three in fields of eight or more horses. If there are only six or seven runners the horse must finish first or second to place. Different sportsbooks have different Place terms and you should check their rules before placing a bet. In US, 2nd place finish. (See 'Each Way' UK)
Pool
Mutuel pool, the total sum bet on a race or a particular bet.
Post
1) Starting point for a race. 2) An abbreviated version of post position. For example, "He drew post four". 3) As a verb, to record a win. For example, "He's posted 10 wins in 14 starts".
Post Position
Position of stall in starting gate from which a horse starts.
Post Time
Designated time for a race to start.
Price
The odds.
Punt
Another term for bet or wager.
Punter
Bettor or investor.
Quadrella
Selecting the winner of four specifically nominated races.
Quiniela (Quinella)
Wager in which the first two finishers must be picked in either order. Payoff is made no matter which of the two wins and which runs second. ('Reverse Forecast' in the UK. See Wagers for Quiniela variants.)
Ratings
Tipsters may determine a set of ratings which reflect, in their opinion, each runner's chance of winning a particular race taking a number of factors into account when preparing them.
Return
The dividend you receive on a particular bet.
Reverse Forecast (UK)
See 'Quinella' above.
Roundabout
A bet consisting of 3 bets involving three selections in different events (i.e. 1 single any to come and double stake double on remaining two selections, 3 times).
Rounder
A bet consisting of 3 bets involving three selections in different events (i.e. 1 single any to come a single stake double on remaining two selections, 3 times).
Round Robin
A bet consisting of 10 bets (3 pairs of 'Single Stakes About' bets plus 3 doubles and 1 treble) involving three selections in different events. (US, A series of three or more teams into two-team wagers).
Runner
A participant in a race. In US, a sportsbook's employee who gathers information on the progress of betting elsewhere on the course. Also, a messenger 'running' to and from pari-mutuel windows for occupants of clubhouse boxes.
Scalper
One who attempts to profit from the differences in odds from book to book by betting both sides of the same game at different prices.
Score
GBP£ 20. In US, to win a race or a bet. Also, a victory.
Scratch
To be taken out of a race before it starts. Trainers usually scratch horses due to adverse track conditions or a horse's adverse health. A veterinarian can scratch a horse at any time.
Selections
The horses selected by a knowledgeable person (Tipster) to have the most likely chance of finishing in first, second and third place. This may also refer to a person's own selections - the horses they have chosen to back.
Settler
A bookmaker's expert who calculates payouts.
Shorten, Shortening the Odds
When the odds of a horse decrease, usually because a lot of money has been wagered on that horse.
Short Price
Low odds, meaning a punter will get little return for their initial outlay.
Show
Third position at the finish.
Show Bet
Wager on a horse to finish in the money; third or better.
Shut Out (US)
What happens to a bettor who gets on the betting line to late and is still waiting in line when the window closes. Also, in sports betting, when the losing team do not score.
Single
A Straight bet on one selection to win one race or event, also known as a straight-up bet.
Single Stakes About (or SSA)
A bet consisting of 2 bets on two selections (1 single on each selection any to come 1 single on the other selection reversed).
Six-Dollar Combine (US)
An across-the-board bet in racing.
Smart Money
Insiders' bets or the insiders themselves.
Sportsbook
The person, shop or website who accepts bets.
Spot Play (US)
Type of play in which bettor risks money only on types of races and horses which seem relatively worthwhile risks.
Stakes
The sums of money deposited or guaranteed by the parties to a bet.
Stakes-Placed
Finished second or third in a stakes race.
Starting Price (or SP)
An estimation of odds available when the race starts.
Steam
When a betting selection starts to move quite rapidly, usually caused by many bettors betting on it.
Store (US)
A sportsbook or a bookie.
Straight
Betting to win only.
Straight Forecast (UK)
A tote bet operating in races of 3 or more declared runners in which the punter has to pick the first and second to finish in the correct order. See 'Exacta'.
Straight Six
A wager to correctly select the winner of each of six consecutive nominated races.
Superfecta
A bet placed on four horses to cross the finish line in exact chosen order.
Super Yankee
Alternative name for a multiple bet known as Canadian, a Super Yankee is a Yankee type bet with five selections instead of four.
Sure Thing
A horse which a punter or tipster believes is unbeatable in a race.
Sweepstakes
Type of betting whereby each horse in a race is drawn out of a hat by a particular person (who pays a set amount of money for the privilege of buying a horse). The people which chose the winner and placegetters will receive a percentage of the total money pool.
System
A method of betting, usually mathematically based, used by a punter or bettor to try to get an advantage.
TAB
Totalisator Agency Board. The body appointed to regulate off-course betting (bets made by people who are not present at the race track).
Take (Takeout)
Commission deducted from mutuel pools which is shared by the track, horsemen (in the form of purses) and local and state governing bodies in the form of tax.
Thick'un
A big bet.
Ticket
The betting slip or ticket which is received by the bettor from the bookmaker or totalisator, as proof of his or her wager. The ticket is necessary to collect the dividends.
Ticketer (US)
A forger of bookmakers' tickets.
Tierce
A French combination bet in which the bettor predicts the horses that will finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
Tips
The selections chosen by an expert to bet on (also known as Picks). See 'Selections'.
Tipster
A person who makes selections for a race, providing tips on which horses they believe will win the first three places.
Totalizator (Totalisator)
The system of betting on races (an automated system that dispenses and records betting tickets, calculates and displays odds and payoffs and provides the mechanism for cashing winning tickets) in which the winning bettors share the total amount bet, minus a percentage for the operators of the system, taxes etc. Synonyms: Tote, Parimutuel.
Tote
Totalizator. The organisation appointed to receive bets and supply dividends in proportion to the amount of the investment. A body in the UK set up to operate pool-betting on all racecourses.
Tote Board
The (usually) electronic totalizator display in the infield which reflects up-to-the-minute odds. It may also show the amounts wagered in each mutuel pool as well as information such as jockey and equipment changes, etc. Also known as the 'Board'.
Tote Returns
Returns from a tote pool (also known as a Dividend), calculated by taking the total stake in each pool (after the take out) and dividing it by the number of winning tickets. A dividend is declared to a fixed stake, for various win, place and forecast pools.
Treble
A bet consisting of 3 selections, all of which must win for the wager to be successful.
Tricast (UK)
See 'Trifecta' below.
Trifecta
A wager picking the first three finishers in exact order. Called a 'Triactor' in Canada and a 'Triple' in some parts of the U.S. ('Tricast' in the UK.) Trifecta Box - A trifecta wager in which all possible combinations using a given number of horses are bet upon. The total number of combinations can be calculated according to the formula (x3)-(3x2)+(2x), where x equals the amount of horses in the box. The sum of the formula is then multiplied by the amount wagered on each combination.
Triple
(Also 'Treble') See 'Trifecta' above.
Trixie
A Trixie consists of 4 bets involving 3 selections in different events, i.e. 3 doubles plus 1 treble.
Turf Accountant
The UK euphemism for a bookmaker.
Unbackable
A horse which is quoted at short odds that punters decide is too short to return any reasonable amount for the money they outlay.
Underlay
A horse racing at shorter odds than seems warranted by its past performances.
Union Jack
A bet consisting of 8 trebles on 9 selections A to I: ABC, DEF, GHI, ADG, BEH, CFI, AEI, and CEG.
Value
Getting the best odds on a wager.
Wager
Another term for bet.
Welsh/Welch
To fail to pay a gambling bet.
Wheel
Betting all possible combinations in an exotic wager using at least one horse as the key. See 'Part Wheel'.
Wheeling
A racing system devised for the daily double bet in which the bettor backs one horse in the first race and every horse in the second (also known as Baseball or Locking).
Win
The term used to describe a 1st place finish.
Win Bet
Wager on a horse to finish first.
Wise Guy
A knowledgeable handicapper or bettor.
Yankee
A multiple bet consisting of 11 bets (6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 4-fold) on 4 selections in different events.
Yap
Yankee Patent. The same 11 bets as a Yankee, but with singles on each of the 4 selections as well, making 15 bets in all (also known as a 'Lucky 15').
