To the newcomer, wagering on horse races may seem a bit intimidating given the jargon yekbet and the vast array of potential bets. However, that is really not the case when it comes to these online horse betting games. Really, all it takes is to learn a few of the basics and you can be well on your way to a profitable and enjoyable day at the races.
Let’s first take a look at the variety of wagers that are offered at most racetracks and online betting outlets, and then follow that with a few tips that are unique to the online betting experience. There are two general categories of wagers in horse racing. They are dubbed straight bets, which include the traditional win, place and show wagers; and the more lucrative “exotic” bets, which include things like the Daily Double, Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6 and more.
Straight bets are a minimum $2 wager and are the best way for a horse racing newbie to get started. With these bets, you place your money on whether a particular horse will win, place (finish 2nd or better), or show (3rd or better). The odds you see posted next to a horse’s number on the tote board reflects what a horse will pay to win for each dollar bet. For example, if there is a ‘5’ listed next to a horse’s program number, which means its odds are 5-to-1. So, if you bet $2 to win and that horse comes in first, you will get back $10 (5-to-1) plus the original $2 investment for a total of $12.
Learning to pick winners is the first step in being successful at the variety of online horse betting games that are offered today. Place and show wagers are easier to hit, but therefore will also pay less than a win bet. All of these wagers can be made via online betting or at the track.
One long-time favorite way to make straight bets is to wager on a horse “across-the-board.” This will cost you a minimum of $6, as it entails betting $2 win, $2 place and $2 to show on the same horse. You will collect with this wager if your horse finishes in any of the first three positions. Even better, though, is if your horse wins you will collect on all three bets. This is a great way to bet for a beginner, because it provides multiple ways to win while also allowing the opportunity for a big score.
Online betting also allows for what are called exotic wagers. These types of bets have exploded in popularity since being introduced to the sport more than three decades ago. Prior to that, bettors were relegated to simply betting win, place and show and perhaps there would be one Daily Double offered on a racing program. That is no longer the case.
Exotics wagers are so popular among racing fans because they provide the opportunity to bet a little and win a lot. With wagers like the Pick 4, Pick 5, and Pick 6, payouts can range from hundreds of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. These are the ultimate in online horse betting games.
To hit the Daily Double, you must successfully pick the winner of two consecutive races. With the various other “Pick” wagers, you must pick the winner in the corresponding number of races. For example, with the Pick Six-which can pay in the millions of dollars if successfully hit-a bettor must successfully pick the winner of six consecutive races. That’s no easy task, but the chance at a life-changing score has long lured horse racing fans to the wager.
There are variety of places on the Internet you can enjoy these online horse betting games. One of the more popular online betting outlets is Xpressbet.com. This is a great place for beginning horse racing fans to learn the game and improve their wagering chops. One reason online betting is so popular is because you have access to a wealth of information that you may not have access to on-track, and make no mistake horse racing is all about information.
Additionally, many online betting outlets provide a sign-up bonus to newcomers. For example, at Xpressbet.com, new customers receive $125 directly into their account after wagering $100. Nothing beats free money, and that’s exactly what you get when you try online betting for the first time.
