Basics of Betting on Horses

The two main types of wagers.
1. Straight wagers (These wagers only involve one horse): Win: You collect only if your horse finishes first.The minimum wager is $2 Place: You collect if your horse finishes first or second. However, if your horse wins, you only collect the Place payout. The minimum wager is $2. Show: You collect if your horse finishes first, second or third, but you collect only the Show payout. The minimum wager is $2. Across The Board: You are wagering on a horse to Win, Place and Show. You receive one ticket for all three wagers. If your horse wins, you receive Win, Place and Show payouts. If your horse finishes second, you receive Place and Show payouts; and if your horse is third, you receive the Show payout. Because you are actually placing three wagers, the minimum wager is $6. 2. Combination or "Exotic" wagers (These wagers involve two or more horses): Daily Double: To collect, you must select the winner of two races. For example, you must select the winner of the first race and the second race. Of course, you must place the wager before the first of your two races! Exacta: To collect, you must pick the horses that finish first and second in exact order. For example, if you play a 3-5 exacta, the #3 horse must Win and the #5 horse must Place (come in second) for you to collect. Exacta Box: Is made to guarantee the outcome of the first two finishers regardless of which horse wins. For example, if you box the #3 and #5 horses and either the #3 or the #5 horse wins and finishes second, you win. Trifecta: Is similar to an exacta, except you must pick the horses that finish first, second, and third in exact order. This is a challenging wager that often yields large dividends. Trifecta Box: Is made to guarantee the outcome of the first three finishers regardless of which horse wins. For example, if you box the #3, the #7 and #5 horses and either the #3 , #7 or the #5 horse wins, finishes second and third, you win. Pick 3: To collect, you must pick the winners of three consecutive races. And, of course, you must make your selections before the first race of your Pick 3 wager. An excellent wager that offers great excitement and opportunity to score Big! Superfecta: Is similar to an exacta and trifecta, except you must pick the horses that finish first, second, third and fourth in exact order. This is also a challenging wager that often yields dividends even larger than the trifecta. Where do I go to collect my winnings? So, you've made a winning wager. After the race has been declared official, simply take your ticket to any of the mutuel windows or self betting terminals to collect. If you decide to keep your ticket and cash out at a later date, please check with your local track to determine ticket expiration dates. Each state has different guidelines to cashing tickets. How To Make A Bet Locate a mutuel window and indicate the following: 1. Indicate the track you want to wager on. 2. Indicate the Race Number, unless it's the current race. 3. Indicate the Amount you wish to wager. 4. Indicate the Type of bet you wish to make. 5. Indicate the Number of the horse(s), as shown in the program. 
For Example: "Lone Star Park, fifth race. Two dollars to win on number 6."* Note-It is very important to check your tickets for accuracy before leaving the window. Once you leave the window and the race begins, you cannot change your ticket, Also, never tear up your tickets until the race has been declared "official."