Favorite Bet

[Oddy5]

Is there a bet that you will always make. A certain wheel, box, etc.

For me, I usually always do a 3 horse exacta box for $12. One win and I usually break even for the day.

[BCOURTNEY]

I will always bet an edge and size the bet to the expected return. I will not black box bet a certain or specific way without consideration of the odds, which cannot be determined with great or good enough precision until post time, because it's more important to me to make money at the racetrack than have a good time, they have casinos for that type of thing and the girls there are cuter than at the racetrack.

[cj's dad]

Is there a bet that you will always make. A certain wheel, box, etc.

For me, I usually always do a 3 horse exacta box for $12. One win and I usually break even for the day.

A few points to consider; when you bet a 3 way ex box, 5 of your 6 wagers are losers. Also, if you are playing half the card, say 5 of 10 races, you are wagering $60. So, to break even you would have to hit a $60 exacta. Sounds pretty tough to do on a continuing basis.

My fav bets are pick 3's which many tracks have on a rolling basis. I typically use a combination ticket ( I know, there are losing wagers on this bet also) such as 2x2x3=$12. I have found the payouts to be higher on average than an exacta. Example; at Tampa on Derby day, I hit races 4-5-6 for $857 with a 4/5 - 14/1 - 18/1 doing a 2x2x2 for $8.
Good luck and don't be afraid to change your tactics. I did and it worked for me.

[wegoosewe]

my favorite bet, really no edge or strategy to it, but it is the $2 daily double.. just one horse in each race.. nothing like hitting a nice little payout to start your day...:jump: :jump:

[Oddy5]

A few points to consider; when you bet a 3 way ex box, 5 of your 6 wagers are losers. Also, if you are playing half the card, say 5 of 10 races, you are wagering $60. So, to break even you would have to hit a $60 exacta. Sounds pretty tough to do on a continuing basis.

My fav bets are pick 3's which many tracks have on a rolling basis. I typically use a combination ticket ( I know, there are losing wagers on this bet also) such as 2x2x3=$12. I have found the payouts to be higher on average than an exacta. Example; at Tampa on Derby day, I hit races 4-5-6 for $857 with a 4/5 - 14/1 - 18/1 doing a 2x2x2 for $8.
Good luck and don't be afraid to change your tactics. I did and it worked for me.

Sorry, I'm a bit new at this, but is a 2x2x2 mean picking 2 horses to win in three races?

[BCOURTNEY]

Sorry, I'm a bit new at this, but is a 2x2x2 mean picking 2 horses to win in three races?

That is what he means. Doubles and Pick 3,4,6's are sound bets economically speaking because you minimize the overall track take out, and if you bet the exact same horses individually in each race your return would generally be less.

[WinterTriangle]

A few points to consider; when you bet a 3 way ex box, 5 of your 6 wagers are losers. Also, if you are playing half the card, say 5 of 10 races, you are wagering $60. So, to break even you would have to hit a $60 exacta. Sounds pretty tough to do on a continuing basis.

My fav bets are pick 3's which many tracks have on a rolling basis. I typically use a combination ticket ( I know, there are losing wagers on this bet also) such as 2x2x3=$12. I have found the payouts to be higher on average than an exacta. Example; at Tampa on Derby day, I hit races 4-5-6 for $857 with a 4/5 - 14/1 - 18/1 doing a 2x2x2 for $8.
.

Thanks so much for this! Makes sense.

I'm not new to racing, but I could certainly afford to spiff up my wagering formulas.

I'm not that comfortable with pick 3's. What's your 2nd choice for efficient wagering strategy?

[WinterTriangle]

they have casinos for that type of thing and the girls there are cuter than at the racetrack.

Huh!

I assume I'm not the only gal on the board. :)

The only reason it *seems* like that is because more women need to be brought into the sport. I'm definitely in the minority when I go to the races....alone.....there are a number of other women, but they often "come with" their boyfriends/husbands so I can't determine if they have a real interest or are just along for the day?

[BCOURTNEY]

Thanks so much for this! Makes sense.

I'm not new to racing, but I could certainly afford to spiff up my wagering formulas.

I'm not that comfortable with pick 3's. What's your 2nd choice for efficient wagering strategy?

Spiffing up your wagering formulas can turn losing systems into winning ones, if you don't use a computer keep a paper log of what you bet, and why you bet it, review it everyday. Adjust appropriately. If you like to bet winners, do not fear the pick 3, as the track takeout ( your biggest enemy ) is spread amongst the races. Daily Doubles are certainly an option here also. If you like to bet individual races stick with the place and show pools, that is the most common area of small mistakes made by the public, but alot of people don't like to place or show bet, if your not into playing alot of races for a little bit of money then wager larger on fewer races in which you beleive that the public has made a larger error. Small errors can be exploited over time for small profits, then you get the beauty of compund interest on your side ( more frequent bets of an appropriate size ) Gross errors are generally found by humans ( not automated systems ) and involve some type of angle that only that player understands well, they have to have the patience to wait for that angle and play it when it's there, and pass when it's not. Get to know what you are looking for before you pickup the form, not read it and hope something pops out at you. Best of luck with whatever strategy you adopt.

[BCOURTNEY]

Huh!

I assume I'm not the only gal on the board. :)

The only reason it *seems* like that is because more women need to be brought into the sport. I'm definitely in the minority when I go to the races....alone.....there are a number of other women, but they often "come with" their boyfriends/husbands so I can't determine if they have a real interest or are just along for the day?

Well isn't it obvious that the ratio of women to men at the track in terms of gender ratio mimics the relation of fillies and mares in races themselves? ;)

More women handicappers would add value to the game iteself, women have different perpectives then men in a general sense on a variety of things, and I'm sure handicapping is not different. As a bonus they are more appealing to look at and listen to than some "lifer" hacking up what little remains of his lungs after frequenting the track and casinos and smoking 3 packs a day for 20+ years. Racing could use some more glamour and would have more allure to more people.

[cj's dad]

Thanks so much for this! Makes sense.

I'm not new to racing, but I could certainly afford to spiff up my wagering formulas.

I'm not that comfortable with pick 3's. What's your 2nd choice for efficient wagering strategy?

There was a time when I was not that comfortable with pick 3's. One really good hit off of a $8 or $12 wager can change that thinking. 2nd fav bet is a triple key- my pick over several others. For $1, a key with 3 under =$6,
4= $12 and 5=$20

Next fav is playing rolling doubles.