Betting Guide

A simple guide to horse racing bets, betting terms and finding value

Learn More

Horse Racing Betting Explained

If you are new to horse racing betting, this guide will give you a clear understanding of the most popular types of bets and how they work in practice.

Wherever possible, we have included simple examples to bring each bet to life, along with a glossary of common racing terms further down the page.

In modern betting, value is everything. Prices can vary significantly between bookmakers and exchanges, so it always pays to shop around and make sure you are getting the best possible odds.

This guide is here to help you understand the basics. The real edge comes from knowing when the market has got it wrong, which is exactly what we focus on at Turf Talk.

Betting should always be approached with discipline and common sense.

Learn the bet types, understand the terms, compare prices carefully, and focus on long-term value rather than chasing quick wins.

Simple Bets

  • Win bets
  • Each way bets
  • Best for beginners
  • Easy to understand
  • Ideal for learning the basics
Simple Bets

Combination Bets

  • Doubles and trebles
  • Accumulators and Yankees
  • Bigger returns possible
  • Higher risk involved
  • Useful once you know the basics
Combination Bets

Pool & Exotic Bets

  • Forecast and Tricast
  • Placepot and Jackpot
  • Tote-style betting
  • Can offer bigger payouts
  • Best once you know the terms
Pool & Exotic Bets

Simple Bets

Win Bet

The simplest and most popular type of bet. Your selection must win the race for the bet to be successful.

Example:
£10 win on a horse at 3/1
Returns £40 in total (£30 profit plus £10 stake)

Each Way Bet

An each way bet is effectively two bets in one:

  • A win bet
  • A place bet

This means you can still get a return if your horse finishes in the places, depending on the race terms and bookmaker rules.

Standard Place Terms
  • 5 to 7 runners: 1st and 2nd
  • 8 or more runners: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
  • 16 or more runners in handicaps: 1st to 4th

Many bookmakers now offer extra places on selected races, which can improve your chances of getting a return.

Example:
£10 each way at 20/1, total stake £20, at 1/5 odds for 3 places

  • Win return: £210
  • Place return: £50
  • Total return if the horse wins: £260

If the horse only places, you receive the place part only.

Multiple Bets

Multiple bets combine selections together, with winnings rolling from one selection to the next. These bets can produce bigger returns, but they also increase the difficulty.

Double

Two selections, both must win.

Treble

Three selections, all must win.

Accumulator

Four or more selections, all must win.

These can also be placed each way, although the total stake rises quickly.

Combination Bets

Combination bets include multiple bet types in one slip, which means you may still get a return even if not every selection wins.

Patent

  • 3 Singles
  • 3 Doubles
  • 1 Treble

Yankee

  • 6 Doubles
  • 4 Trebles
  • 1 Fourfold

Lucky 15

  • 4 Singles
  • 6 Doubles
  • 4 Trebles
  • 1 Fourfold

Some Lucky 15s also come with bonuses, such as one winner still giving you a return. Other multiples available: Canadian/Super Yankee (5): 26 bets, Heinz (6 Selections): 57 bets, Super Heinz (7 Selections): 120 bets, Goliath (8 Selections): 247 bets.

Forecast and Tricast

Straight Forecast

Pick the 1st and 2nd in the correct order.

Reverse Forecast

Covers both possible finishing orders.

Tricast

Pick the first three in the correct order. These are much harder to land, but they can return very big payouts when you get them right.

Combination Tricast

Pick the first three in any order. These are hard to land, but you have more variables by combining the order possibilities. They can return very big payouts when you get them right.

Tote Bets

Unlike traditional fixed-odds betting, Tote bets pool all stakes together and then pay out dividends to winning tickets.

Placepot

Pick a placed horse in the first 6 races at a meeting.

Jackpot

Pick the winner of 6 selected races.

Scoop 6

Pick the winners of 6 major races, usually on a Saturday. These pools can become very large and the payouts can be huge.

Modern Betting Tips

  • Always compare prices across bookmakers and exchanges
  • Think about value, not just who is most likely to win
  • Consider each way value in big-field handicaps
  • Take note of extra place offers
  • Look for Best Odds Guaranteed where available
  • Understand the place terms before placing each way bets
  • Stake sensibly and avoid chasing losses

Most importantly, remember that betting should be approached as a long-term game. Good judgement, discipline and value are what matter most over time.

Glossary of Horse Racing Terms

Ante Post
Betting before final declarations. Stakes are usually lost if the horse does not run.

Apprentice / Conditional Jockey
Young or inexperienced jockeys who can claim a weight allowance.

Blinkers
Headgear used to help a horse concentrate by limiting rear vision.

Card / Racecard
A list of races and runners for a meeting. Learn how to read a racecard here

Colours / Silks
The registered racing colours worn by jockeys.

Colt / Filly / Gelding
Different horse types based on age and gender.

Distance
A winning margin of 30 lengths or more.

Furlong
One eighth of a mile, or 220 yards.

Going
The condition of the ground, ranging from Firm to Heavy.

Handicap
A race where weights are assigned according to ability.

Length
The standard unit used to measure distances between horses.

Maiden
A horse that has not yet won, or a race restricted to such horses.

Photo Finish
A very close finish decided by camera.

Weighing In / Weighing Out
Jockeys must weigh before and after a race to ensure the correct weight was carried.

Enough Theory, Check Out Our Latest Tips Now

Free Racing Tips