Basic wager types for betting on horse races:
WIN: When you select a horse to win, you collect if your horse finishes first.
PLACE: You collect if your horse finishes first or second.
SHOW: You collect if your horse finishes first, second or third.
ACROSS THE BOARD: Betting across the board is simply making an equal win, place and show wager on one horse. "$2 across the board on number six" is the same as saying $2 to win, $2 to place and $2 to show on number 6 for a total of $6.
Other popular horse racing bets
Daily Double
This horse racing exotic bet involves picking the winners of two races in a row. The Daily Double is usually contested on the first two races of the day and the last two races, although some tracks have daily double betting on horse racing throughout the day. The betting is straightforward. $2 is the minimum bet and you must select the winners of both races on one ticket.
Quinella -- 1st and 2nd-place finishers.
For the Quinella, you have to pick (on one ticket) two horses to run first-second or second-first.
Exacta -- 1st and 2nd-place finishers.
For the Exacta, you have to pick (on one ticket) the exact order of official finish of the first two horses of a race. If you want No. 2 to win and No. 5 second, simply tell the clerk "$2 exacta, 2-5." Always give the numbers in the order you think your two horses will finish. Your total cost is $2. If 2 wins and 5 finishes third, you do not win. If 5 wins and 2 finishes second, you do not win. NOTE: This wager is also called "Perfecta" at some tracks.
Trifecta -- 1st, 2nd and 3rd-place finishers.
The Trifecta calls for you to pick the first three horses in exact order of official finish. The simplest form of this wager is the Straight Trifecta, which is a single combination of the first three finishers. The minimum bet for a Straight Trifecta is $2. To purchase, simply tell the clerk: "$2 Trifecta on 1-2-3." Trifectas qualify by each track's rules and regulations (refer to program). NOTE: This wager is also called the "Triple" at some tracks.
