Information and Rules:

Bet types

WIN – Your selection must finish 1st, you receive the win dividend.

The pool with the lowest % take-out by the track, so in theory, the one with potentially the best return. However, wagering on obvious short priced favourites will show no long term profit. Serious form study with selections opposing the general consensus should be considered.

PLACE/SHOW – Each country has different pool dynamics, each are explained below.

In all cases, if you make a place or show wager, even when your selection wins, you receive the place or show dividend.

UNITED KINGDOM and IRELAND

PLACE -  to finish 1st or 2nd  in all races of 5,6 or 7 runners, or to finish 1st 2nd or 3rd  in all races of 8 runners or more, in handicaps of 16 runners or more a 4th place dividend is declared.

SOUTH AFRICA

PLACE – To finish 1st, 2nd  or 3rd in all races of 8 runners or more.

SWEDEN

SHOW - To finish 1st, or 2nd  in all races of 5,6 or 7 runners or to finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd  in all races of 8 or more runners.

UNITED STATES

PLACE – To finish 1st or 2nd in all races with 4 or more runners

SHOW – To finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd in all races with 5 runners or more.

To clarify, the US runs both a Place pool and a Show pool in races with 5 runners or more, you can bet Place and Show on the same selection in these races.

An area that can be exploited by those with patience. Repeatedly, in races with short priced favourites, many punters look to find an outsider to place or show and in consequence the place or show dividend of the favourite is much bigger than you would expect. If you can wager selectively, at or close to post time, then a profit is possible.

Other bet types

OMNI/SWINGER – Make two selections to occupy two of the first three places in a race. There are three winning combinations and if your selections both finish in the first three, in any order, you win.

Concentrating on the front end of the market in the right type of race will maximise the chance of a return on the majority of bets. A bet for those who like to minimise long losing runs.

DOUBLE – Choose the winners of two designated races that comprise the double, generally consecutive races. Selections for both races must be made prior to the running of the first leg.

PICK 3, PICK4, PICK6 – Again, choose the winners of the designated races that comprise the bet. All wagers must be made before the running of the first leg.

Generally more difficult than first appears, an approach utilising a perm with multiple selections in the difficult races with a single selection when confident, is recommended.

EXACTA/PERFECTA – Two selections to finish first and second in the exact order.

QUINELLA - Two selections to finish first and second in either order.

TRIFECTA – Three selections to finish first, second and third in the exact order.

SUPERFECTA – Four selections to finish first, second, third and forth in the exact order.

All the above bets can be approached in three different ways to give a better chance of collecting, albeit with increased cost.
Single – one selection for each place, at a cost of a one unit stake, difficult to win, but maximum returns for a small outlay.
Perm or Key – A confident selection to win with any number of others to place or show, cost is dependant on number of selections but gives a greater chance of success.
Box [All Permutations covered] – Any number of selections to finish in the places in any order, easily the best chance of success, but beware the total cost. To box 4 selections to occupy the places in a trifecta will involve 24 bets, so even when winning, there are 23 losing bets to take into account.

To calculate the number of combinations for selections in different races
i.e. Doubles, Pick 3 etc. multiply the number of selections in each race together.
Example - Pick 6 with 2 selections in each race 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 64 bets

To calculate the number of combinations in a Perm or Key for Tri’s, Super’s etc then -
Take the total number of selections and multiply by decreasing numbers for the amount of places to be filled.
Example – Superfecta - four places - 1 selection to win with any of five selections to finish second, third and fourth = 1 x 5 x 4 x 3 = 60 bets
Example – Trifecta - three places - 1 selection to win with any of four selections to finish second and third = 1 x 4 x 3 = 12 bets

To calculate the number of combinations in a ‘Box’ take the total number of selections and multiply by decreasing numbers for the amount of places to be filled.
Example - Superfecta Box - six selections – four places = 6 x 5 x 4 x 3 = 360 bets
Example - Trifecta Box – five selections – three places = 5 x 4 x 3 = 60 bets

To explain why decreasing numbers are used in the calculation of bets -

If you take any of five selections to win and one does, then it is only possible for any one of the remaining four to come second and if one does, then it is only possible for one of the final three to come third,hence 5 x 4 x 3.