If it really was that simple, don't you think that everyone would just go bet on the ponies and drop the day jobs and make a living collecting winnings?



Betting the ponies is as much an art form as it is true gambling and there are some stead fast rules that you need to know and adhere to if you plan on spending time and ultimately money at a track.

There is not really enough room here to more than scratch the surface, but here goes.

For the most part, you can bet to WIN, PLACE, SHOW, ACROSS THE BOARD or WIN-PLACE.

WIN means your horse has to be number one across the line, PLACE means he has to be first or second and SHOW means first, second or third. If you bet on ACROSS THE BOARD that means any thing first, second or third and WIN-PLACE means if he finished first or second, you won.

Next we have the types of racing wagers, there is the EXACTA, the QUINELLA, the TRIFECTA, and the SUPERFECTA.

In an EXACTA, you are betting on two horses and they have to finish first and second in the order that you determine they will end. You can bet the EXACTA BOX in most cases where as long as your horses come in first and second, the order does not matter.

When you use the QUINELLA you are betting, again on two horses but they can finish first and second in either order, and you still win, much like the Exacta Box betting strategy.

The TRIFECTA, if you are following the progression here, should be easy for you to figure. Yes, you need to have your ponies come in First, Second and Third in order to make it a winning bet. Here again you can bet the TRIFECTA BOX and as long as your three horses come in first, second and third. It doesn't matter which does what as long as the three you pick are one two and three you win.

If you are planning on betting on the SUPERFECTA, you need to do a LOT of homework. In a SUPERFECTA, you are betting that your skill as a handicapper has enabled you to pick, the first, the second and the third horse across the finish line. You are also picking the number four horses to arrive at the end of the track. With this one you can bet a SUPERFECTA WHEEL. In this diversion you pick the number one horse as a winner and the other three can cross the finish line in any order as long as it's second third and forth and you can walk up to the window and collect your money and still have the bragging rights to being the winner of the race.