Betting Guide

If you’re new to racing, this basic Guide to Betting should help answer some of the questions you might have. If you’re not sure exactly what type of bet you want to have or don’t know what you should be looking for, we hope you’ll find the answers here.

Don’t forget though, having a little flutter on the horses should be fun and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes you’re as likely to have a winner by just deciding you like the name or the colours of the jockey!

Here we explore some of the basics to help you understand betting:

Stake | When placing a bet, your stake is the amount of money you are willing to gamble - be it a cautious $1 or a rather more flamboyant $500.

If you're a winner, your winnings (also known as 'returns') are calculated according to your horse's odds.

Odds | In the world of betting, the odds (often referred to as the price) are a way of expressing the perceived probability of a horse winning a race and it's at this value which a bookmaker will lay his bets.

OK - so that's all relatively easy. Here's the more difficult bit. Prices can be odds against, even money or odds on.

Odds against | When the bookmaker offers a return which is more than double the amount staked for a win bet. If your stake is $1, a winning bet at 2/1 (pronounced two-to-one bet) will return you $2 plus your original stake of $1, making a total of $3.

Even money (or Evens) | When the bookmaker offers a return which is double the amount staked on a win bet. If your stake is $1 the bookmaker will return $1 plus your stake, making a total of $2.

Odds on | When the bookmaker offers a return which is less than double the amount staked for a win bet. A successful $1 bet at 1/2 (pronounced two-to-one-on), will return just 50¢ plus your stake, making a total of $1.50. The word 'on' indicates that the odds are reversed.

Long or Short Odds? | Sometimes, instead of a horse's odds being expressed as a fraction, you might hear that they are simply 'long' or 'short'. This isn't meant to refer to the horse itself - or even the jockey. Instead, odds that are said to be long (e.g. 50/1) point to the fact that a horse is very unlikely to win the race. Conversely, short odds (e.g. 2/1) indicate that a horse has a good chance of winning.

Which Betting Company?

There are so many betting facilities to chose from these days it can be a daunting task just deciding who to bet with.

The beauty of it is that each betting company has something unique to offer and in many cases it's a good idea to open an account with at least a few of them. The reason for this is that firstly you get to take advantage of the generous sign up bonuses or free bets and secondly each betting company may offer different fixed odds for certain races. Obviously you want to go with the company who is offering the best odds and this may vary from race to race.

We have made it nice and easy for you by putting together a selection of the best companies. We recommend you open an account with each of them to take advantage of the bonuses on offer.

Betting Types

Standard Quinella | A Standard Quinella, is when you select two runners to place First and Second in any order for the wager to be successful.

Box Quinella | A Box Quinella allows you to choose more than two selections. You can choose as many runners as you like from the same race, however two of the selections must place First or Second in any order for your wager to be successful.

Standout Quinella | When placing a Standout Quinella wager, you can select as many runners as you like from the same race, however you must nominate the runner you think will place First or Second. For your Standout Quinella wager to be successful, one of your other selections must finish either First or Second to your nominated selection.

Exacta | An Exacta requires that the first two place getters are nominated in order. In the event of a dead heat, there will be as many dividends as there are correct ordered combinations

Trifecta | A Trifecta requires nominating the first three place getters in order. In the event of a dead heat, there will be as many dividends as there are correct ordered combinations

First Four | A First Four requires nominating the first four place getters in correct order. In the event of a dead heat, there will be as many dividends as there are correct ordered combinations

Quaddie | A Quaddie requires nominating the winner of four successive races (usually the last four of the program). In the event of a dead heat, there will be as many dividends as there are correct ordered combinations

Trifecta's And First 4's

Trifecta betting is a popular way to bet if you don't want to outlay too much and are looking for big returns.

The most common way to bet on the trifecta is by choosing three horses in order i.e. A, B & C. They must finish in the exact order for you to win.

The other common way to bet on the trifecta is with a box trifecta where again you chose A, B, & C. This time they can finish in any order and in the first three.

The more advanced way to bet on the trifecta is by choosing two horses that are favourites paying around the $4 - $5 mark who you think will finish first. These two horse A & B are selected as possibilities to finish first. You then choose another horse you think will possibly finish second and include horses A,B & C as possibilities of finishing second. Then finally you select another horse you think could possibly finish third and include horse A, B, C & D as possibilities to finish third.

The last option is like a combination of the first and second methods giving you the greatest chance of winning with the biggest return on your investment and is how most professionals bet on trifectas.

The last method can also be applied to a first four however in this case you would obviously chose another horse for fourth place and include horses A,B,C,D & E as possibilities to finish fourth.