How to play the ponies...?

Question

My company Christmas party is tomorrow and we're going the race track to watch the [horses] race. I’m told this is very fun and I look forward to it… one problem, I know nothing about betting and gambling. I've never even been to the race track.

Can someone please share with me what typically goes on at the race track? Are there types of betting games with the horses? Any info tips or web site referals are appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Go to the paddock about 20 minutes before each race and watch the horses being saddled and walked and riders get on...  If you see any horses that are acting crazy (rearing, bucking, running in circles), do NOT bet any money on that horse.  it is using ALL of its energy before the race so it's not going to have any energy to keep up with the other horses.  When the horses walk out on the track to warm up, be looking for the same thing.

If you buy the racing form, look at the horses past performances... if they've won a lot in the past, they might be likely to win today.  If they've had a series of 2nds and 3rds, it might be ready for a win.  If it's constantly last, it would have to do a lot better to win today.

I don't know where you're going, so this might not apply, but if you see any famous names for trainers or jockeys, you'd be pretty safe to bet that the horse is pretty good.

As for what bets...  if you bet on a horse to 'show,' you get money if that horse comes in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.  You don't get a lot of money, but you'll be making money.  The disadvantage is that if the horse does win, you'll only win a couple dollars for your show bet while someone who bet that horse to win would be winning triple that much.

What I like to do is bet on the horse to "win place show" and put some extra on it to show...  each bet is $2, so if you put a WPS bet on a horse, it's $6 ($2 for the win, $2 for the place, $2 for the show).  That means that if the horse wins, you get the payout for all 3... you'll get about $6 or more for the win, $4 or 5 or so for the place, and $2.50 or so for the show.  If the horse comes in 2nd, you get the money for the place and show...  if it comes in 3rd, you just get the money for the show.  To pad that bet a little bit (so that you don't lose $3 when the horse only comes in 3rd), I like to put a bit extra on the horse to show.  I'll do the WPS plus another $5 or $10 on the horse to show... that way I'll still be making money because my extra show bet will pay off the price of the WPS bet and give me a couple dollars extra.  Again, you're making money even if it's not a whole lot.

If you want to try out exotic bets remember to "box" them.  An exacta means that you're selecting the top 2 horses in order.  An exacta box means that you're selecting the top 2 horses and they don't have to be in order.  No matter which wins and which is second you win money.  Of course the box bet costs double, but you'll win more often.  The same goes for the trifecta (top 3) and superfecta (top 4).  

You ARE allowed to put extra horses in the bet.  Obviously for the exacta, only 2 horses are going to be first and second... BUT you are allowed to do a 3-horse exacta or exacta box...  if 2 of those 3 run 1st and 2nd, then you win!  Again, that will cost more.

You can also be more specific with your bets if you think one horse will win, but you're undecided about which two or three will place, you can do an exacta wheel and put the one over the other three... but that's more advanced than I think you want to be.

I'm a very conservative bettor...  I'm all about making little bits of money at a time rather than spending a lot and cashing in big only ocassionally... so that's what those bets will help you do.  Good luck and have fun!!

Answer 2

Kmnmiami has some good info.  The real idea is that it is a party you are attending.  Don't spend too much time analyzing the race. Buy a Program , bet on good jockeys, and at least you might have the excitement of winning if you bet on horses that have run well recently. Mostly have fun  everyone likes a lucky winner like you.

Answer 3

have a small bet on each race on the horse you like.dont go mad.all the answers about what to look for and what to do take no notice what so ever.because you need to know abit about the horse and you dont.so pick what ever you like.put a small stake on.and have a great day out.

Answer 4

what track are you going to.

e-mail me direct and i will send you my picks..

[e-mail]

please reply before 4 a.m. california time.....

Answer 5

Check out the following link:

There are a number of other helpful guides under Tools >>> Fan Education.

In general, the simplest bets are win, place, and show.

Win:  horse must finish 1st

Place: horse must finish 1st or 2nd

Show:  horse must finish 1st 2nd or 3rd

The most common bet is win.

The easiest bet to win is show.  But your odds will be less than the odds on the toteboard (all around the grandstand and on the big board in the infield) which show the WIN odds.

Win/place/show bets are typically a $2 minimum.  If your horse wins at 5-1, you will get back $12 total ($10 win + your $2 bet back).  

At the track you are at, a race will go off about every half hour.  You can go see the horses before the race in the paddock (area where horses are saddled) and then in the post parade when they come onto the track.

There will probably be lots of TV monitors showing lots of races from other tracks.  These are live simulcasts so that horseplayers can play more than one track.

When you place a bet, go to a teller, and use this as a guide:

Track name, race number, wager amount, wager type, horse number(s).

So for example:

Laurel, race 1, $2 to win on number 5.

The 2nd link is how to read the racing form, which most people look at to pick their horses.

You can buy it at the track, it costs like 5 bucks. (If 5 bucks is too steep, you can just get a program for like 2 bucks) It shows the past performances of each horse in each race.  A quick way to compare is to use the Beyer Speed Figure that each horse has run.  Generally, faster horses have higher Beyer numbers.  Also pay attention to the column just to the left of the Jockey's name(s).  It tells you where that horse finished in each race (along with how many lengths they lost by, or won by if the horse won).

Pick a couple horses.  Place a couple bets (if you're of legal age).  And have fun.  Racing is fun because you don't really have to bet a lot to have a good time.  If you think it's fun, just try to observe as much as you can, rather than worrying about betting.

If you're going to a track where it won't be freezing, go outside and watch a race from up close.  Particularly any race a mile or longer.  You will be able to see the horses as they leave the starting gate, then watch as they come down the stretch to the finish line, and then you'll get to see the winner come back to the winner's circle to get his picture taken, with the jockey, trainer, and owner.

Answer 6

Lady, just back what you fancy..if you like the name of the horse or the jokey`s colours then back that horse, there is NO sure system to backing winning horses, just have fun, you might get lucky & win a few quid..its agreat day out ,enjoy yourself