Inside Track / How to Bet

BETTING BASICS
Each horse is given odds based on its chance of winning.  The shorter the odds (e.g. 2-1) the more likely, in theory, it is to win.  If it does, your winnings in relation to your stake (amount betted) will be relatively low.  A horse at long odds (e.g. 50-1) is known as an outsider and is less likely to win.  However, if it does, your winnings will be much higher than your stake.



TOTEPOOL BETTING
You will find totepool betting windows all over the course with screens showing the estimated prices for each horse above them.  These change depending on how much is in the pool for each horse.  The favourite will be highlighted in a different colour.  There are various types of bet you can have.  The three most straightforward bets are:

Win - Pick the winner of the race.  State the number of your horse and how much you want to place e.g. ‘No 8, £2 win’

Place - Pick a horse to be placed.  This obviously increases your chance of winning but your odds won’t be as big.  Normally a horse is placed when it finishes 1st, 2nd or 3rd.  However for races of 15 or more runners, you’ll also receive money if your horse finishes 4th and if there are 7 or less runners, you’ll only receive money if your horse is 1st or 2nd.

Eachway - A win and a place bet on the same horse therefore increasing your return.  However your stake will also be higher (i.e. when you place a £2 each way bet, you are actually staking £4 in total).

Other bets also available with totepool include:

toteexacta - Pick the 1st and 2nd in the correct order

totetrifecta - Pick the 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order

toteplacepot - Pick 6 placed horses (races 1-6)

totequadpot - Pick 4 placed horses (races 3 -6)

totejackpot - Pick the winner of all six races

For more information, you’ll find betting guides next to the windows or ask one of the totepool staff for help.

BETTING WITH THE BOOKMAKERS
In contrast to totepool betting, when your exact return is dependent on how much has been wagered in total, each bookmaker indicates the price (odds) for each horse on their board and this is the price your return is based on when you make your bet.  This can change as the start of the race approaches and there is always a great atmosphere as punters try to get their bets on.


Therefore, if you have a horse in mind, it is well worth scanning the different bookmakers’ boards to find which one is offering the longest price therefore increasing your return if it wins.


You can usually place a win, place or each way bet with a bookie.  Some bookmakers have a minimum stake which will be marked at the bottom of their board so doublecheck this before making your bet.  When you approach the bookmaker, just state the name of the horse and the type of bet you wish to place e.g. ‘Bishops Dream, £5 win’.
Good luck!