Wagering
New to horse racing? We can help! Nothing makes this colorful, competitive and adrenaline-pumping sport more exciting than seeing your horse cross the finish line first. If you are new to horse racing, here are some basic terms and betting strategies that will make your day at the races a more familiar one.making a bet
How to Place a Bet
To place a wager, go to one of the mutuel (betting) windows located throughout the track.
Give the attendant the following information:
- Track you wish to wager
- Race number
- Amount of bet
- Program number of horse
For example: Bangor Raceway, Race #1, $2 Win on #3
Types of Wagers
- Win: You collect win money if you bet the horse that finishes first.
- Place: You collect place money if you bet the horse that finishes first or second.
- Show: You collect show money if you bet the horse that finishes first, second, or third.
- Daily Double: Select the winners of two consecutive races.
- Exacta: Select the first two finishers of a race in exact order.
- Trifecta: Select the first three finishers of a race in exact order.
- Superfecta: Select the first four finishers of a race in exact order.
What is Pari-mutuel wagering?
Originated by a Frenchman, Pierre Oller, the word means "among ourselves." The track has no interest in which horses win or lose, but acts only as an agent. It only holds the money wagered until the finish of the race and pays the winning ticket holders the proper amount called for by the amount of tickets.
How are odds are determined?
Odds are an indication of the popularity of a given horse in comparison with others in the race. Odds are figured by dividing the amount wagered on a given horse into the total amount wagered, less the amount deducted by the track and state law.