There are a host of other wagers that can be made, but these will get you started.So, how do you place a bet? Easy. Pick the horse or horses you want to wager on. You need their numbers, not their names.
You might want to write down what bets you want to make so you know what to ask for when you go to the window. Also, write down which track the race is at, and which race it is.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say you’re watching the Santa Anita track. It’s race number five, and you want to bet that horse number 3, named Jackpot, will win the race.
Go to the window and tell the teller: “At Santa Anita, race five, $2 on number 3 to Win.”
Give the teller your $2. He or she will print out a ticket for you. Check it to make sure it’s right. It’ll list the track, the race number, the horse number, and the wager.
That’s it—your bet has been made. Now take a seat and watch the race. If Jackpot wins, take your ticket up to the window and give it back to the teller, who will pay you according to the odds at the start of the race.
Let’s say you want to place a more complicated bet on the same race. You like Jackpot, but you also like horse number 6, named Megabucks. You’re sure one of them will win, and the other will come in second, but you’re not sure what the order will be.
Go to the window and say: “At Santa Anita, race five, a $1 Exacta Box on 3 and 6.”
Done. You have now bet a total of $2, and if Jackpot and Megabucks come in first and second (or second and first), you’ll win.
Picking Winners
As I said, you can get incredibly scientific about horse racing. The process of predicting the winners can involve hours of dedicated research and precise calculations.
Or you can pick the horse with the coolest name. That’s my system.
When I placed my first bets, I read the Racing Form. I chose the horses they said did the best on that kind of track, and the ones who had won numerous times in previous races. I took the “favorites,” the ones who paid very little even when they did win.
Then I started noticing that, for my efforts, I still wasn’t having much luck. I guess the horses don’t read the Racing Form. Sure, the favorites usually at least Placed, but rarely did the race go just as the odds predicted.
Don’t get me wrong. If you’re planning to invest big bucks in horse racing, you absolutely should do your homework. But I wasn’t interested in that. I just wanted to be able to place a bet, root for a horse, and pass a few hours without going broke. I just wanted to have fun.
And for that, picking the horse with the coolest name worked just fine. As would picking the prettiest horse, or the jockey with the neatest outfit. It’s also fun to take the long shot, the horse no one thinks stands a chance. The Charlie Brown horse. For $2, you can really win something if he does come in. And if he doesn’t, well, you’re only out $2.
The Experience
With the mystique of horse betting gone, I can sit back and look at the experience objectively. How does it compare with other casino activities?
Well, there are definite pros and cons for the novice horse bettor. If you’re betting low, on only one track, and only one or two bets per race, you can really stretch your money. Twenty bucks could literally last hours. There’s so much time between races, even if you lost every bet, that you wouldn’t be down much. That’s a definite pro for someone who wants to enjoy the casino environment, but is trying to make every penny count.
Betting low, you really don’t make much, especially if you’re taking the favorites. On many occasions, I won my bet and got excited, only to discover that because of the odds, I was only 40 cents ahead of where I started. Hardly worth jumping up and down over.
On two occasions, I went to the race book by myself. At one place, I was the only woman in the room, and one of the only people under the age of 50. In fact, in one corner, an ancient little man with a cap and a cane kept falling asleep in his chair. I quickly got bored.
Another time, I dragged my husband along. Between races, we talked about the horses, joked around, made predictions. During the races, we were able to cheer each other on. It became a social event, and the money was secondary. That was a good time, and the fact that, three hours later, I was 10 bucks ahead was a nice little perk.
Judging from that, I’d say having a friend along makes a big difference.
I expected the experience to be very different in a large sportsbook, such as Caesars, as compared to a smaller book, such as the Fiesta. Actually, there wasn’t much of a difference at all. Once I established that the “lingo” was the same at either place, the overall fun factor was the same. At the third place I visited, they didn’t have individual monitors. That wasn’t quite as nice, and it’s something I look for now. Also, I’m more interested in wagering at a place in which horse bets earn points on my slot club card. The Fiesta offers this. You need to ask to be sure. Beyond that, as long as the place is clean, well-staffed and has comfortable seating, I don’t think it much matters where you play.
Will I bet on the ponies again? Probably. I’d have a lot to learn if I were to ever take it up seriously. And, unless you’re sharing the experience with buddies, it’s not the most exciting activity in the casino. But, like bingo and big board keno, it’s a fun, inexpensive diversion from the slots and tables.
At least now I can say that I’m not afraid to bet on the horses. I learned a lot just going out and doing it. But don’t look for me to make Kentucky Derby predictions any time soon.
Unless, of course, one of the horses has a really cool name. ´
