Del Mar Changes Pick 6 to 'Jackpot' Wager

A change to the Pick Six wager that is expected to offer large payoffs and re-energize what has been California's most popular exotic bet will have its debut with the opening of the annual Del Mar Fall race meeting when the track changes the structure of the bet to a "jackpot" style wager.

 

The Pick Six will offer a "Single Ticket Jackpot" element added to it which allows for a solo winner to score a potentially hefty jackpot. That enhancement was approved by the California Horse Racing Board at its monthly meeting Sept. 22 and will debut at the 15-day seaside session starting Friday, Nov. 11.

 

The standard formula for the Pick Six is that 70% of the total pool is paid out to those with tickets tabbing six of six winners. Consolation tickets, those with five of six winners, divided the remaining 30% of the pool.

 

The new twist on the Pick Six will alter that arrangement. Those picking all six winners will continue to get 70% of the pool, but the remaining 30% will be split two ways. Those with consolation tickets will be paid 15% of the pool, while the final 15% will be carried forward until there is a lone Pick Six winning ticket at which time that day's total Pick Six pool, along with the complete carryover pool, is paid to that one lucky winner. 

 

"The majority of Pick Six players won't find anything different in this enhancement," said Craig Dado, Del Mar's executive vice president for marketing. "They're still paying $2 for the bet, 70% of the pool continues to go to those who pick six winners, the takeout is the same and the chance for a huge score is still there. What is different, though, is that there now will be a chance for an even bigger score if you've got that one ticket."

 

The new arrangement allows for payouts on the "Single Ticket Jackpot" pool on any day of the meeting. But in the scenario where no single ticket wins the bet for the whole meet, the entire carryover would be put in the closing-day Pick Six pool (Sunday, December 4) and paid out to all winning tickets.

 

Del Mar reports focus groups among a cross-section of racing fans have provided positive feedback on the new bet to track officials. Many bettors said they liked the idea of the payout remaining at 70% of the pool for those picking six winners, while others were intrigued by the idea of a large pool growing separately with the potential for a massive payout on closing day. Most Pick Six players indicated that consolation pools weren't the reason they played the bet and Del Mar officials emphasized that the consolation prizes weren't being taken away, but rather adjusted to allow for half of it to be reallocated to the "Jackpot" pool.

 

"While the Pick Six used to be the only exotic wagering game in town, the landscape has changed and players are looking for new bet concepts," said Del Mar president Joe Harper. "We believe the 'Single Ticket Jackpot' will reinvigorate California's Pick Six and produce some life-changing payouts."

 

As it has for its first two Fall sessions, Del Mar will race on a Thursday through Sunday basis after its opening weekend. First post daily will be at 12:30 p.m. with the exception of Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24) when racing will begin at 11 a.m.