Because race tracks are found around the country, this is a very popular way to bet. There are tracks to watch thoroughbred race horses, harness racing, and greyhounds. However, betting at the track takes some knowledge.

How to Bet on the Races

When placing the bet with the sportsbook, the bettor needs to know what type of bet to make. Most familiar to even the most casual race observer are win, place, or show.

A win bet is the most common bet. It means that the bettor picks a winner at the given odds. To collect on the bet, the horse must cross the finish line first. To place is wagering for the chosen horse will finish first or second, and to collect with a show bet is having the horse finish in the top three.

Other types of bets are the combination bet, a Pick 3, or a Pick 6.

Combination bets look for two to four horses to win in a certain order. A Pick 3 requires the bettor to pick the winners of three consecutive races. Pick 6 is the same, except for picking the winner in six consecutive races rather than three.

The Tip Sheet

Daily tip sheets are available so anyone who wants to bet with the sportsbooks are able to make informed decisions about the races. The tip sheet gives the odds on the horses, what races the horses are running, how the horses have finished in the past, and similar information.

Tip sheets can also have some confusing information for those just learning. The tip sheet and services that provide information on the races will talk about the horse’s handicap. But what is the handicap and how is it determined?

The handicap is the amount of weight a horse is to carry during the race. To keep the races fair, horses running in a handicapped race should be carrying close to the same weight. However, jockeys weigh in at different weights, making some horses carry a heavier burden than others. The racing secretary determines if the race needs to be handicapped, and if it does, what the extra weight will be for each horse. The weights are added to pockets called the lead pads underneath the saddle.