Royal Vegas Casino’s Latest FAQ: Horse Racing

may 29, 2020

Source: Pixabay.com

For as long as humans have been riding horses, there has probably been betting on horse racing. In fact, before lotteries and casinos, horse racing was the only legal form of gambling. Even today there’s nothing quite like watching horses and their jockeys testing their power and speed together around the oval track. And whether you spend a day in the crowds at the track, watch the race with your buddies at your favorite sports lounge, or tune in from home, you may decide you want to try wagering on one of the stars. If you’re not sure where to start or just want to know more, we have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions in today’s blog article.

What are the basics I need to know?

While you can choose your bet based on a horse’s name or your lucky number, there are a few other things to keep in mind if you want to try for a winning wager. The first is to look into the horse’s past performance. Also, check and see what the track conditions are and what the horse’s preferences are. Does he like fast tracks or do better on muddy? Other questions to ask are: Is the horse in form today? What are the odds announced? A little research can go a long way.

How do you bet on a horse at the track?

When you go to a horse racing track, you will need to visit the teller window to place your bet. The lines are fast-moving, so you will need to be prepared with your money out and your bet information ready. If you’re a beginner, we recommend jotting this information down before getting in line, so you don’t get flustered and forget anything!

In order, you must inform the teller of:

• The track and race number your bet is for (it is possible to bet on races at racetracks other than the one where you are),
• The amount of money you wish to wager,
• What type of bet you’re placing (more on this later), and
• The number(s) of the horse(s) on which you are placing the bet.

Don’t forget to double-check your ticket before you walk away from the window!

Source: Unsplash.com

How do you bet on horses online?

If the race is in another town or you just don’t want to have to worry about the crowded lines at the tellers at your local track, you can place your bets online. Note that if you are at an actual racetrack, mobile betting is generally banned.

The first step is to choose your online sportsbook. Once you’re on the site, log in (or create an account) and deposit the money you wish to play with into your account. Then click over to the list of races, choose the race you want, and fill out your slip. Just like at the track, be sure to double-check your slip before you click “submit”. Once the race is over, any winnings will be automatically credited to your sportsbook account. Be sure to check the site’s FAQs and terms and conditions for any specific rules about depositing, wagering, and withdrawing.

What are the different types of horse racing bets?

There are two types of horse racing bets, straight wagers and exotic wagers. Straight wagers are the easiest, while exotic wagers are more complicated. There are also wagers that can be placed on the same horse or horses over two or more races, but these are much harder to win unless you are an expert, so we will not discuss them here.

Straight wagers:

With a straight wager, you bet on only one horse. There are six straight wagers possible: Win, Place, Show, Across the Board, Win/Place, and Place/Show.

A Win bet is exactly as it sounds – you bet on which horse will win the race. A Place bet means your chosen horse will either end up first or second. If you choose a Show bet, you’re betting that your horse will end the race in first, second, or third position. For Place and Show bets, you don’t need to specify which exact position the horse will place, you’re just saying you think the horse will do well!

You can also try an Across the Board bet if you think your horse is having a good day but you’re not quite sure how good of one. This bet combines Win, Place, and Show into a “combo straight wager” and is consequently three times as much as a single straight bet. If your horse comes in first, you win all three amounts of money (Win, Place, and Show). If your horse comes in second, you win the Place and Show money, and if he places in third, only the Show money.

Win/Place and Place/Show are also combinations of straight wagers, similar to the Across the Board bet. For a Win/Place, your horse must come in first for you to win both amounts of money. If he comes in second, you win only the Place money and not the Win amount. Place/Show is used similarly for second place winners and if your horse instead comes in third, you win only the Show money.

Exotic wagers:

With an exotic wager you bet on more than one horse with one bet. There are four exotic wagers: Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, and Superfecta.

For an Exacta bet, you choose the exact order two horses will finish in first and second. For example, if you place your “Exacta bet on horses 4 and 9”, you win if horse 4 comes in first and horse 9 in second. If it’s the other way around, you lose, unless you “boxed” your bet. By paying twice as much when you place your Exotica bet, your “boxed” bet will allow you to win no matter which order your chosen horses finish.

In a Quinella bet you choose which two horses will come in first and second in any order. Wait, didn’t we just say this is what a Box Exacta wager is? Well yes, it is, except for two points: a Quinella bet costs half as much as a Box Exacta and a Box Exacta generally pays out more than a Quinella bet.

The Trifecta and Superfecta bets are similar to Exacta bets as you choose the exact order in which your horses will finish (first, second, third for Trifecta and first, second, third, fourth for Superfecta). You can also box these bets for an additional cost.

What types of bets are best for beginners?

As a beginner, you should stick to straight wagers until you gain more experience. These wagers are inexpensive and a perfect way to get your feet wet in the world of horse racing bets. The easiest of all the bets to win is the Show, followed by the Place. Hold off on trying out the Exacta until you have a bit more experience and leave the Superfecta until you’re ready for a great challenge.

Remember, the harder bets may have potentially higher payouts, but they also have tougher odds of winning. No matter what wager you choose, be sure to play responsibly and remember to have fun!