Understanding Exotic Wagers - Handicapping.com

More detailed explanations for wagers with large numbers of combinations are included on the individual charts for those types of wagers. NOTE: Links To All Charts Listed At Bottom Of This Page!

DAILY DOUBLE
Bet one horse to win in one race and one horse to win in the race that immediately follows. This bet used to be offered only on the first two races of  the day at race tracks, then a "late" double was added by many, using the last two races. Some tracks have multiple doubles, using some other races or all other races on any racing day. The bet is usually a $2 minimum.

EXACTA is the form of pari-mutuel wagering whereby you select in order the first and second place horses in races which offer exacta wagering.

EXACTA BOX
In boxing the exacta, the bettor may bet a minimum of two horses on a single ticket, giving the bettor every possible combination of the chosen horses to finish first and second in exact order.

EXACTA WHEEL
If you like one horse and want to play it with all other combinations of the rest of the field, so that any other horse can run second, that's called wheeling. For example, if you like the #2 horse and want to play him to win, with all the other horses in the race, you'll say to the mutuel clerk "$1 Exacta, wheel the #2 on top." $1 is just an example; you can wager whatever amount you like. Also, you can put your horse "on the bottom," in which case he must run second.

QUINIELA is the form of pari-mutuel wagering whereby you select the first and second place horses in races which offer quinela wagering. The exact order of finish doesn't matter as long as they both run first and second.

QUINIELA WHEEL
The quinela wheel is the form of pari-mutuel wagering whereby you select a horse which has to run first or second and other horses, any of which can run first or second along with your main horse to have a winning bet. (If your main horse finishes worse than second, it's a losing bet.)

TRIFECTA is the form of pari-mutuel wagering whereby you select in order the first, second, and third place horses in races which offer trifecta wagering.  

TRIFECTA BOX
 In boxing the trifecta, the bettor may bet a minimum of three horses on a single ticket, giving the bettor every possible combination of the chosen horses to finish first, second, third in exact order.

TRIFECTA WHEEL
If you like one horse and want to play it with all other combinations of the rest of the field, so that any other two can run second and third,  that's called wheeling. For example, if you like the #2 horse and want to play him to win, with all the other horses in the race, you'll say to the mutuel clerk "$1 Trifecta, Wheel the #2 on top."

TRIFECTA KEY WHEEL
This is a simple variation of wheeling. In a KEY wheel, you select one horse to win, and then your choice of x number of horses in the second and third positions.Let's say you like the #3 horse really well to win, and you think the # 6, 7, and 8 horses are the only other horses in the race who have any shot at all of hitting the board. You would play a "$1 Trifecta,  Key the 3 over the 6, 7, and 8."

TRIFECTA PART-WHEEL
The favorite of many trifecta players, this variation is virtually the same as a basic wheel, except that you can exclude as many horses as you want. This allows you to build some pretty creative bets.

SUPERFECTA is the form of pari-mutuel wagering whereby you select in order the first, second, third and fourth place horses in races which offer superfecta wagering.

SUPERFECTA BOX
In boxing the superfecta, the bettor may bet a minimum of four horses on a single ticket, giving the bettor every possible combination of the chosen horses to finish first, second, third, fourth in exact order.

SUPERFECTA WHEEL
If you like one horse and want to play it with all other combinations of the rest of the field, so that any other two can run second and third,  that's called wheeling. For example, if you like the # 2 horse and want to play him to win, with all the other horses in the race, you'll say to the mutuel clerk "$1 Superfecta, Wheel the # 2 on top."

SUPERFECTA KEY WHEEL
This is a simple variation of wheeling. In a KEY wheel, you select one horse to win, and then your choice of  x number of horses in the second and third positions. An example is in order. Let's say you like the #3 horse really well to win, and you think the # 6, 7, and 8 horses are the only other horses in the race who have any shot at all of hitting the board. You would play a "$1 Superfecta, Key the 3 over the 6, 7, and 8."

SUPERFECTA PART-WHEEL
The favorite of many superfecta players, this variation is virtually the same as a basic wheel, except that you can exclude as many horses as you want. This allows you to build some pretty creative bets. Since Superfecta Part Wheels are largely played using $1 as the basic betting unit, and in the interest of displaying part wheels as clearly as possible, we'll feature only the costs of tickets using $1 in the chart that follows. Remember, of course, that $1 tickets always pay HALF as much as $2 ones!

Superfecta part wheels usually involve a lot of numbers and can quickly become VERY confusing, so plan your tickets carefully, never  be in a hurry, and write 'em down! See the superfecta wagering chart for more information.

PICK- 3 is the form of pari-mutuel wagering whereby you select in order the winners of three consecutive wagers, placing your bet before the first race in the set of three goes off. Many tracks offer multiple pick-3 wagering opportunities every day. For example, races 1-2-3 might be the first pick-3, followed by the set of races 2-3-4, 3-4-5, 4-5-6, and so on.

PICK- 4  is the form of pari-mutuel wagering whereby you select in order the winners of four consecutive races, placing your bet before the first race in the set of four goes off. Many tracks offer multiple Pick-4 wagering opportunities every day. For example, races 1-2-3-4 might be the first Pick-4, followed by the set of races 2-3-4-5,  then 3-4-5-6, then 4-5-6-7, and so on.

PICK- 5  is the form of pari-mutuel wagering whereby you select in order the winners of five consecutive races, placing your bet before the first race in the set of five goes off. Some tracks offer multiple Pick-5 wagering opportunities every day. For example, races 1-2-3-4-5 might be the first Pick-5, followed by the set of races 2-3-4-5-6,  then 3-4-5-6-7, then 4-5-6-7-8, and so on.

PICK- 6  is the form of pari-mutuel wagering whereby you select in order the winners of six consecutive races, placing your bet before the first race in the set of six goes off.

Chart Index - Handicapping.com