I want to go to the horse races. It's my first time, what do I do, how do i bet on horses??

Question

it's my first time...

Answer 1

get the racing form and find a horse that has good show or better past performances and start small with show bets and then go up from there exotics is my best bets box three or four horses for trifecta that is where i made the most money but anyways the racing form is the bible i swear by it as you get better at reading the form and going to paddock to look at horses then you will find other things to start looking for.parlaying 6 leg show horses can make your day last longer and is cheap as long as your pick hits show or better

Answer 2

To bet on the races, go to a betting window and tell the person (1) how much you're betting (it can't be less than $2 for a win place or show), (2) the type of bet (win, place, show, exacta...), and (3) the horse(s) that you want to bet on.  The easiest way to make a little money is the show bet because you win if the horse runs in the top 3, but you don't get as much as you will if you bet to win or place.  You're not really going to know how to read the racing form... you won't know what to look for.  

The easiest way to win a few bets is to bet to show on the favorite (the horse with the lowest odds) because favorites hit the board 70% of the time.  

The other thing I recommend is to go to the paddock and look at the horses as they get saddled.  If it's running wild or jumping around in the paddock, then do NOT bet on it!  Also, if a horse is really sweaty in the post parade (if you can see white stuff that looks like soap suds on its neck) then don't bet on it.  You want to look for one that's calm and confident and you can see muscles on its shoulders and hips.  Then check the odds on that horse to see if others like it too... if it's 40-1 I wouldn't recommend betting on it since the other bettors probably know something about the horse that you don't, but if it's 10-1 or lower I'd place a show bet on it.

If you really like 2 or 3 horses and you're feeling confident, then put them in an exacta box... that means that if those horses come in 1st and 2nd, then you win a lot of money!

I think it's funny that someone thinks I get an evil look on my face when watching horses run ;o)

Answer 3

The simplest way to start playing the horses is to bet $2 to win on whichever horse you'd like to.

It gets much more complicated than that, but for your first time that's the easiest way.

Answer 4

Betting horses is complicated. Study the racing form and it will tell you all the differant styles of bets that are available. I would recommend making small bets to learn how it works. Bet primarily on win or place. Win is for the horse to come in 1st place where as place pays for 1st or 2nd place. Stay away from longshots until you know what your doing. They pay big but your not likely to win. I would say bet on horses going off at 10-1 or better. Also throw out the favorite. They generally don't pay much. If you see a horse you like at around 4 or 5 to 1 that is pretty good. 1st time out stick with names of horses that you like. You won't figure out the racing form right away.  Good luck.

Answer 5

If you are going for fun that is cool. You really don’t win any big money at the horse races.

Enjoy yourself!

Answer 6

Horse racing of any kind is a cruel sport. Don't support it. The horses are pushed past their limits at very young ages, and break fragile, still-growing bones. Then they are euthanized. Is that your idea of entertainment?

Answer 7

beginners luck! i wish i was going with...your own picks will be the best! goodluck!

Answer 8

Leave your money at home. Only the track actually makes money.

Answer 9

I have only been a few times but if you just want to bet for fun. You would pick a number of horse and an amount your willing to bet like $2.00.  You would tell the person at the window $2.00 to win on number 6 ect.  Or you could say $2.00 across the board for number 6.  That would be a 6 dollar bet.

Have fun and good luck!