- About the Exacta Box Bet An exacta is a horse racing bet that requires you to pick the first two finishers of a race in exact order. You must correctly identify the winner and the second-place finisher in order to cash this bet.
What does a $2 exacta pay?
If you place a $2 exacta key bet, then you will pick one horse to win in each race, and all the others must place. This will cost you $12.
What is the difference between exacta and exacta box?
$2 bet on 2 and 1 Often, winning an exacta box bet pays out a smaller part of the betting pool compared to a straight exacta wager because the track takes a portion of two bets in the ‘box’ compared to one.
How much does a $2 exacta box cost with 3 horses?
The formula for calculating the cost of an exacta box is (horses in box x (horses in box minus 1) x dollar amount of bet). A $2 box of two horses would be (2 x 1 x 2) = $4. A $2 box of three horses would be (3 x 2 x 2) = $12. A $2 box of four horses would be (4 x 3 x 2) = $24.
How do boxed trifectas work?
A Boxed Trifecta is an alternate Trifecta type which allows the horses picked to place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any order for your bet to count as a win. This means if you have the same three numbers, they can finish in any order for you to win the bet.
Is exacta better than quinella?
Since the exacta calls for a handicapper to pick the first two finishers in exact order and the quinella has more flexibility, requiring just the first two finishers in either order, the exacta will inherently pay better. But that doesn’t mean there are not times when the quinella can offer some wagering value.
Is an exacta box the same as a quinella?
What is an Exacta? An exacta is similar to a quinella in that it involved the first two horses, but with the Exacta you must pick the first two horses in the exact finishing order. You might choose the Exacta over a Quinella if you think one horse has a clear advantage over your second pick.
How does an exacta payout?
The Fair Payoff for an Exacta equals the size of the bet, such as a $2 Exacta, multiplied by the (win horse’s odds-to-1) multiplied by the (place horse’s odds-to-1 plus 1). The odds are each horse’s going-off win odds.
What is first 4 in horse racing?
Straight First 4 This, simply, means picking four horses to finish in correct order from 1st to 4th to finish in that order you select.
How does a Trifecta payout?
To figure out your trifecta payout, you simply multiply your flexi percentage to the declared dividend. For example: if the trifecta dividend is $1,500, and your flexi percentage is 200%, your payout is $3,000.
What does exacta mean in English?
Meaning of exacta in English a bet (= an amount of money that you risk on the result of something, such as a horse race) in which the horses, etc. that come first and second must be picked in the right order: I just won an exacta on the first race. Synonym. perfecta.
What is the best bet to make in horse racing?
The win bet should be the key bet, especially for newcomers. Takeout (the amount of money that goes to the track that is not returned to bettors) for win, place, and show bets is less than most exotic bets. Most importantly, don’t bet two or more horses to win in the same race.
What is a treble bet?
A treble bet is where you make three single outright selections, often known as legs, which are combined into one multiple bet. The treble bet needs all three of the separate selections to be successful for your bet to win. If one of the three selections is unsuccessful, then the entire treble bet loses.
What is an Exacta Bet? Complete Guide to Exacta Betting in Horse Racing
The Exacta bet in horse racing is an excellent place to begin learning about exotic bets because it is so simple to place. This implies that you can win a lot of money with a modest wager risk. The definition of an Exacta is to pick the top two finishers in a horse race in the exact same order as they crossed the finish line. Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and practically every other horse race in the world are all eligible for exacta wagering, including the most prestigious races such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
How to Bet an Exacta
In horse racing, an Exacta bet is a wager placed on which horses will finish first and second, respectively, in the right order at the conclusion of a race.
What is the Minimum Stake on an Exacta Bet?
For an exacta bet, the minimum wager is normally $1, while some tracks have a $2 minimum stake in rare cases. Exacta bets placed online have the same minimum investment as Exacta bets placed at the racetrack.
How to Make and Exacta Bet
You are not need to be present at Churchill Downs or Belmont Park in order to place legal wagers on the world’s most prestigious horse races. To be more precise, you do not even need to be on a race track. or even an off-the-books! Betting on horse racing online is allowed in most states, but make sure you place your online and mobile bets with a legitimate, safe, and regulated service, such as BetAmerica.com, before placing your bets.
How Much Can I Win With Exacta Bets
In Exacta betting, winnings are limitless and are decided by the pari-mutuel method, in which all winning tickets share a pool of money collected from all bets. If you had placed a $2 bet and accurately predicted the Exacta in the 2012 Kentucky Derby, you would have received a whopping$981.60 in payout. In the 2009 Kentucky Derby, a winning Exacta Bet resulted in an even larger $2,074.60 reward when 50-1 longshotMine That Bird defeated Pioneer of the Nile in the Derby. When the Kentucky Derby was held in 2016, however, Nyquist defeated the second favorite Exaggerator, and the Kentucky Derby Exacta returned just $30.60 for each successful $2 exacta wager on the race.
What is an Exacta Box Bet?
You must still choose the first and second horses in the right sequence, but by boxing your selections, the two horses can finish in whatever order they want, regardless of their starting positions. This also gives you the option of selecting more than two runners. A boxed exacta, for example, requires any two of your horses to finish first and second – but because there are now six possible combinations, a $1 boxed exacta will cost you $6.
What is an Exacta Key Box Bet?
When you place an exacta key box bet, you can concentrate on one decision while making other “non-key” selections to complete alongside the “key.” The Key Box exacta bet is extremely handy when you have a single runner on which you are concentrating and need to cover more alternatives in your exactas at a cheaper overall cost than boxing all of your picks together.
Examples of Exacta Key Box Bets:
- The exacta box bets of 13 and 17 are combined to form a $1 Exacta Key Box:1/3,7, which costs $4 and has a chance of winning if the 1 finishes in the first two positions (the 1 must also finish in the first two positions to have any chance of winning, and either the 3 OR the 7 must also finish in the first two)
- A $2 Exacta Key Box: 1/3,7,9,10, which costs $16 and is composed of the exacta box bets
Learn more with our other betting resources below:
There is just no other sport in the planet that compares to horse racing. It’s no surprise that these horse and jockey pairings demand the attention of millions of punters across the world on a weekly basis, given their ability to demonstrate unadulterated power on the track. However, what takes place on the track is only a small part of what makes this sport so entertaining, as the betting markets in the world of horse racing never fail to provide plenty of excitement and intrigue. There are various options for you to place bets on the big (and not so large) races taking place across the world, starting with a simple flutter and progressing to more complex wagers.
The following examines the ins and outs of exacta betting so that you are fully aware of what you are getting yourself into before you put any money down.
What is an exacta bet?
Exacta bets, also known as perfecta or exactor bets, entail a gambler selecting two horses he believes will finish in the first and second places in a certain race. Exacta bets, as opposed to the popular quinella bets, need the selection of the right finishing order of the top two horses in the race. If your selections are chosen and placed, but in a different sequence than the one you indicated, you will receive absolutely nothing. If you want to protect yourself against this risk, exacta bets enable you to box your horses so that you may cover all conceivable combinations.
Types of exacta bets
An exacta bet, like the quinella bet, is anything from one-dimensional — don’t worry, we’ll be comparing the two sorts of bets and dispelling a few myths about them later on. Specifically speaking, when it comes to exacta bets, there are a variety of ways for you to place a wager, depending on how much risk you are willing to take on. Even though you may have to do some math, there is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to exacta bets; all it takes is a little understanding to get the most out of them.
Straight exacta
What the description above says about straight exactais precisely what it says about this product. You choose two horses and the order in which you feel they will win and finish in the race. If you are correct, you will be victorious. If you get the order wrong, you’ll lose even if they both win and finish in first or second place. The following is the structure: You put a $2 exacta wager on the numbers 3-6. This implies that you anticipate horse No. 3 to win and horse No. 6 to finish in second or third place.
If it appears to be straightforward, this is because putting a straight Exacta bet is, in fact, rather straightforward.
Exacta box
Exacta boxes are more flexible than straight exacta bets, which are more risky due to the increased level of uncertainty. These bets provide you the opportunity to choose a greater number of horses that you believe will finish first or second. Each combination counts as a $2 wager on the horse race. So, let’s suppose you believe horses 5 and 8 will win and place in the race. Then you’d put 5-8 and 8-5 bets for $2 each for a total of $4 in wagering. Fortunately, you aren’t restricted to just two horses; you may choose as many as you like from the available options.
You are not limited to the number of horses you can bet on when placing an exacta wager, but the dramatically rising odds of success are reflected in the pricing structure for such wagering opportunities.
A wager on three horses would cost you $12, but a bet on four or more horses would cost you substantially more than this amount. For purposes of illustration, consider the following pricing model, in which the cost increases exponentially with the number of horses you add to your betting pool:
- 4 horses equals $42 in total wagering
- 5 horses equals $120 in total wagering
- 6 horses equals $240 in total wagering.
The fact that the cost does not scale linearly means that the cost of adding additional horses to your wager quickly reaches a threshold where the expense of doing so outweighs the enhanced odds of winning. When taken to its logical conclusion, betting on eight horses will pay you around $30 in profits against a cost of approximately $680. Despite the fact that you are practically sure to win with such odds, you will actually lose a significant amount of money if you place such a wager. Calculating the most efficient cost-to-bet ratio is an activity best left to experienced players who are well-versed in the mathematics of probability and statistics.
Exacta wheel
An exacta wheel bet entails gamblers selecting at least one horse that they believe has the potential to win on a consistent basis. In a series of bets with different combinations of horses that you believe will win, you will use this horse as a common thread to tie them all together. Consider the following scenario: you believe horse 3 is the best option. You’ll also want to choose horses 1, 2, 5, and 6 from the field. When betting on horses, if you were solely confident in horse 3’s potential to win or place regularly, you might place your bet in the following manner: wager a wheel with horse 3 over horses 1, 2, 5, and 6.
For bettors who want to optimize their chances of receiving a payment, this is a wonderful alternative because of the lower wager amount combined with higher possibilities of achieving success.
How to play the exacta key
Perfecta keys are a popular strategy for increasing your chances of winning. Despite the fact that you believe one horse is “critical” to winning all of your races, you aren’t confident in the other horses’ ability to finish where you would like them to. Even though you may believe that horse 5 is the finest, horses 2, 6, and 8 may also be solid selections to place in a race. You choose horse 5 as your key, and then you proceed to add the other three horses to your ticket collection. Horse 5 is the favorite to win, with all of the other horses having a chance to finish in the top three.
What is the difference between an exacta and exactor Bet?
Exacta and exactor bets are both terms that refer to the same sort of wager. These are wagers in which you choose two horses who you believe will finish in the top two positions in the race. You must choose the horses in the exact sequence, or else you will receive nothing, even if they win and finish in the top three. Some individuals appear to believe that an exactor bet is fundamentally different from a normal bet. I don’t want to break anyone’s bubble, but this isn’t the case.
How to calculate an exacta payout
There is no such thing as a “average” payment for an exacta wager; instead, the payout varies substantially based on the race, the horses, the track, and even the weather conditions. If you buy a winning ticket for a race in which two horses are significantly favored, you will most certainly win less than $12. Larger fields will increase this to around $35. In the event that you are feeling lucky, you can place a wager on a “black horse,” which has the potential to produce returns in excess of $1,000.
Because the rewards for exacta bets vary so widely, even between races, scoreboards will frequently display the predicted payouts for various types of exacta wagers on the board.
To avoid combinations that are less likely to pay off, you can change your betting approach appropriately.
Most racetracks give out exacta bets in $2 increments, with the smallest payoff being $2 and the highest payout being $2,000. If you’re considering placing an exacta wager, the following are the calculations you’ll need to make:
- If you deposit a $2 exacta box with both combinations, you will be charged a total of $4, because both combinations of showings have the potential to result in a payment rather than just one. In the case of a $2 bet on a combination of three horses, the wager would now cost you $12 rather than $4. The horses you bet on can win and place in any two of the three races in which you put your bet, and you’ll still get paid. If you place a $2 exacta key bet, you’ll choose one horse to win in each race, and all of the others must finish in the top three. You will be charged $12 for this. If you choose to place a key bet on two horses rather than four horses in an exacta, you will still be required to pay $12, with each subsequent increment of $2 being $2.
Quinella vs. exacta box
Because of the apparent similarities between the two bets, many gamblers are perplexed as to the difference between exacta and quinella bets. Exacta and quinella bets are two different types of bets. As far as the eye can see, they appear to be identical; thus, why would a gambler prefer one format over the other? This is because the smallest wager you may place has a set value that is different for each individual. Exacta bets used to need a $5 minimum, whereas quinella bets only required a $2 minimum, although this restriction has been modified in several jurisdictions.
- Punters who are new to exotic bets may find quinella bets interesting because the order in which their chosen horses finish does not matter in the least.
- Exacta bets are less flexible, since they require you to identify the proper finishing order of the horses in order to be eligible for payout.
- After taking into account the different odds between the two, the payouts between the two are usually rather similar.
- Having said that, one important contrast between the two is that the quinella bet is regarded to be a single wager, but the exacta wager is considered to be two wagers at the same odds on the same outcome.
- Because the track keeps a portion of the wins for itself, taking the exacta route means you’ll have to pay this price twice if you win the first time.
FAQ
What is an exacta bet in horse racing and how does it work? Exacta bets are placed when a bettor selects two horses that they believe will win and place in the same race, as well as the order in which they believe they will do so. In order to place an exacta wager, what is the bare minimum bet? In some regions, the stakes are as little as $1, while in others, they are as high as $2. Even if you’re gambling online, the minimum bet amounts are the same as they would be if you were betting in person.
- The good news is that you do not have to be present at a big horse racing track in order to place exacta bets.
- Exacta bets are now available to be placed online in the majority of nations.
- We strongly advise you to research the regulations governing internet gambling in your state before starting to place bets.
- In terms of exacta wagers, the sky is the limit, and if you are willing to “go big or go home,” you can place an exacta wager to increase your chances of winning huge money.
- Which is more lucrative: the exacta or the trifecta?
- Furthermore, the payouts are decided by the total amount of money that has been put into the pool by all of the combined bettors.
Even while exacta bets tend to attract more bettors, the risk/reward ratio of trifecta bets draws in some people who would not normally wager on an exacta horse race in the first place.
Betting Exactas
BUSR is the greatest website for placing horse bets. Why? Because all new members will receive a bonus of up to $500 for joining, and you may also be eligible for an additional $150 incentive! “Give me a $20 exacta on the numbers 3-7. This is something I already have in my possession.”
What is an Exacta,Exactor or Perfecta?
Every one of them is identical to the other. Pick the first and second-place finishers in EXACT order at the ticket window when you go to buy your tickets at the track. You win your wager if the horses you select finish first and second in EXACT order on the final day of the race. When betting with a dollar, the least amount that may be gambled is $1. However, keep in mind that rewards are only given out at half the odds because the odds are computed at a $2 bet value.
Exacta Box
With an Exacta Box, you will win your wager if the horses you select finish first and second in either order, with as many horses as you choose in the box. The smallest sum that may be gambled on a single combination is one dollar. As a result, a two-horse exacta box at $1 will cost at the very least $2. Here’s how it’s broken down further:
| $1 exacta box of 3 horses =6 combinations= $6 |
| $1 exacta box of 4 horses =12 combinations = $12 |
| $1 exacta box of 5 horses = 20 combinations= $20 |
| $1 exacta box of 6 horses =30 combinations= $30 |
| $1 exacta box of 7 horses =42 combinations = $42 |
| $1 exacta box of 8 horses =56 combinations= $56 |
When it comes to exactas, exacta boxes are the most popular technique of playing since they are easy to grasp and provide the most possibility of winning a prize. The fact that all of the horses in the box do not have equal chances of finishing first or second should be noted as a reason why this is not a sensible betting strategy. It is possible that your ticket may pay out at a loss. Due to the fact that exacta boxes rank each combination in the box as having the exact same probability of winning (which is never the case), they induce a bias in the exacta betting pools that are involved.
Exacta Boxes are a type of bet.
Exacta Wheels
Choose a horse to finish first or second and wheel it into the exacta. By doing so, you cover every possible combination, ensuring that whether your horse finishes first or second, you will have the winning combination. A $1 exacta wheel with a ‘key’ horse of 3 to come first, for example, would require the 3 horse to win and any of the other horses 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 to finish second in order for your ticket to be valid. Another option is to place a $1 exacta wager on the ‘important’ horse3, if you believe it has a higher probability of coming in second.
In either case, in an eight-horse field, it would cost you $7 since you would be placing seven separate $1 exacta bets on horses 3-1, 3-2, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6, 3-7, 3-8 or horses 1-3, 2-3, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3, 7-3, and 8-3, all of which are rated 3-1 or above.
To play the part-wheel in the other direction, 2, 4, 5, with 3 (also three potential winning combinations of 2-3, 4-3, and 5-3) for a cost of $3 is also an option. Part exacta wheels help to mitigate some of the bias associated with betting exacta boxes. Exacta Wheels are wagering options.
Exacta Betting Strategies
Choosing one of the horses to finish first or second and wheeling it into the exacta ensures that every possible combination is covered so that whether your horse finishes first or second, you will have the winning combination. A $1 exacta wheel with a ‘key’ horse of 3 to come first, for example, would require the 3 horse to win and any of the other horses 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 to finish second in order for your ticket to be valid. Another option is to place a $1 exacta wager if you believe the ‘key’ horse3will finish second rather than first.
If you are betting on horses 3-1, 3-2, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6, 3-7, and 3-8, it would cost you $7 in an eight-horse field since you are gambling on seven individual $1 exactas, which might be horses 3-1, 3-2, 3-4, 3-5, 3-7, and 3-8.
Or, for $3 more, you may spin the part-wheel the opposite way, 2, 4, 5, with 3 (there are other three possible winning combinations of 2-3, 4-3, and 5-3).
Roulette Wheels with a Bet on Exacta
| $10 exacta 5-6 = $10 |
| $10 exacta 5-7 = $10 |
| $10 exacta 6-5 = $10 |
| $10 exacta 6-7 = $10 |
| $10 exacta 7-5 = $10 |
| $10 exacta 7-6 = $10 |
Option 2. You play an exacta part-wheelkeying5 to win with the numbers 6, 7, and a second part-wheel with the numbers 6, 7, and keying5 to place, for a total of four exactas at a cost of $15 each.
| $15 exacta 5-6 = $15 |
| $15 exacta 5-7 = $15 |
| $15 exacta 6-5 = $15 |
| $15 exacta 7-5 = $15 |
If you choose Option 3, you will play an exacta part-wheel with 6, 7 and keying5 to win, as well as a second part-wheel with 6, 7 and keying5 to place, based on the winning percentages you calculated through handicapping: 5 at 50%, 6 at 20%, and 7 at 10%.
| $30 exacta 5-6 |
| $20 exacta 5-7 |
| $6 exacta 6-5 |
| $4 exacta 7-5 |
Let’s look at it in terms of risk against benefit. According to your handicapping, option 1 is incorrect since the exacta box assigns the same odds to each potential combination, but option 2 assigns the same odds to each possible combination. Choosing Option 2 is more efficient since it eliminates the less probable combinations of 6-7 and 7-6 while still evaluating both the 6 and 7 horses as having the same likelihood of winning or finishing second in the race. Option 3 has the best risk/reward ratio, as measured by the percentages of 5 at 50 percent, 6 at 20 percent, and 7 at 10 percent.
- The race unfolded precisely as predicted by your handicapping — the 5 horse won, while the 6 horse finished second.
- Let’s have a look at your potential payouts: The first option is the Exactor Box.
- Profit is calculated as $100 minus $60 in ticket costs.
- $150 minus $60 in ticket costs equals $90 in profit.
- The exacta 5-6 pays $300 for $30.
- The final exacta wagering approach is one in which you spend more money on the combinations with greater probabilities that you have found via your handicapping.
In order to avoid mixing favorites and long shots in your exactas, it is recommended to avoid doing so in the exacta pools. The horses with the best payouts are two medium-priced horses.
What is an Exacta Bet
You must select the first two finishing horses in the order in which they finish in order to win this wager. In other words, you must select both the winner and the second-place finisher in the race for the money.
Exacta Box / Perfecta Box
A bet on two or more horses in a race implies taking all conceivable combinations of those horses in each position where they finish, which is known as a “box bet.” Exacta boxes are the greatest choice if you have concluded that two horses are the most talented in the race but are unsure which one will win and which one will finish second. You can box more than two horses in a box, but it is critical to note that the cost of the wager increases significantly with each additional horse that is added to the box.
- A $2 box of two horses would be divided by two and equal four dollars.
- A $2 package of four horses would be (4 × 3 x 2) = $24 if it included four horses.
- Also keep in mind that you can place a $1 exacta box wager.
- Exacta Wheels (also known as perfecta wheels) are wheels that are exactly the same as another wheel.
- As an example, if you believe that the 4 horse will win and that either the 2, 5, 7, or 10 horse would come second, you may put the following wager on the race: ($2 exacta wheel with the 4 AND the 2, 5, 7, and 10 numbers).
- To put it another way, it will cost you $8 to place an exacta wheel on one horse to win and any one of four horses to finish second.
- Others horses are able to pass them since they are not exerting any further effort to win the race.
- You may wish to enter numerous horses in the win column and this “seconditis” horse in the place column, for example, if their racing record reveals that they have won one race and finished second in six others, since this implies that they have one win and six seconds.
Stragtegy – Playing the Exacta
Exactas are best wagered using box combinations, which are the most common type of wager. Boxing combos are not only straightforward, but they also boost your chances of drawing a winning ticket. We’ll use $1.00 bills as examples. As an illustration, $1.00 exacta box1,2,3 cost $6.00. Any three of these horses must finish first and second in order to win this wager. As an example, $1.00 exacta box1,2,3,4 cost $12.00 to purchase. Any four of these horses must finish first and second in order for this wager to be successful.
- For example, when there are more than 8 horses in a race, more money is placed into the pools.
- Suppose you believe that a horse is likely to win, the best approach to play your exacta would be as follows: $1.00 exacta key1 with /2,3,4 cost $3.00; With this form of wager, the one who places it must win.
- An alternative strategy would be to place your bets if you believe a horse is likely to win but are unsure of who will come second.
- This would be a method of playing a backup ticket, for instance.
- If you place this sort of wager, the 2, 3, or 4 must win, and the 1 must come in second.
Tip:Any professional bettor will place back-up bets on his or her tickets. If the primary ticket does not win, it is likely that the backup ticket will pay a portion, if not the total, of the initial loss incurred. Return to the top of the page
How to Box an Exacta When Betting on Horse Racing
When it comes to horse racing betting, boxing an exacta may be a simple and effective approach to include some strategy into your wagers. Theexactarequires you to choose the top two finishers in the sequence in which they appear. Boxing allows you to make your decisions in whatever sequence you choose and still win. The exacta often pays out more than win, place, and show wagers, but less than trifectas, superfectas, high-5s, and multi-race bets comprising three or more races, according to the oddsmakers.
It is referred to as the Exactor (short for “exact order”) on Canadian tracks, but it may be referred to as the straight forecast in other nations.
Here’s How
- Choose the horses that you believe have the highest probability of finishing in the top two spots. Go to the betting window and inform the clerk of the track and race on which you desire to place a wager. Inform the cashier that you would want exacta boxes 1, 2, and 3 (or whichever horses you selected). Most tracks have a minimum price for exactas
- However, some tracks do not. Before you exit the window, double-check that your ticket is accurate. Take your ticket and stand by to watch and cheer for your favorite teams
Tips
- Choose the horses you believe have the highest probability of finishing in the top two spots. Go to the betting window and inform the clerk of the track and race on which you wish to place your wager. Exacta boxes 1, 2, and 3 should be requested from the clerk (or whichever horses you selected). A minimum fee for exactas is usually set by the track in question. As soon as you exit the window, double-check that your ticket is accurate. You can use your ticket to sit and watch and cheer for your favorite team
Exacta Bet Explained – Top 10 Exacta Betting Sites in the USA
Horse racing is one of the most historically significant betting markets in the United States, and it continues to be one of the most popular to this day. You have a plethora of options when it comes to betting on the’sport of kings,’ of course, ranging from straightforward Race Winner choices to sophisticated parlays. It’s time to learn about one of the most exciting betting options available – the exacta bet – and how it works. In this post, you will learn all there is to know about placing an exacta wager.
What is an Exacta Bet?
It has already been mentioned that there is a great deal of variation in the sorts of horse racing bets available to you. Race Winner bets are the simplest to comprehend and perform, but they pay out just a tiny amount of money (and are not easy to win, either). If you’re willing to take a chance on something a little more complicated, we recommend taking a look at the exacta bet. We’ll delve into the specifics of placing an exacta wager later. For the time being, you should be aware that it is a ‘exotic’ multiple, which means that you are placing bets on two separate horses rather than one.
How Does an Exacta Horse Bet Work?
In fact, as we’ll see in the following section, there are several distinct sorts of exacta bets available. For the time being, though, let’s concentrate on the specifics of how an exacta wager works. Despite the fact that an exacta bet is technically a multiples wager, you will only be concerned with one particular race. You’ll bet on two distinct horses in the same race if you place your bet on two different horses. You’ll choose one of them to win the race, and another to finish in second or third place.
The most essential thing to remember is that the horses you choose must finish in the same sequence in which you placed your wager on them.
The opposite is true if they finish in the opposite order; in that case, your wager will lose even if you officially selected the top two horses.
Horse Racing Exacta Bets Explained
After reading the previous two parts, you should have a solid understanding of what an exacta bet is in its most basic form. After that, however, it’s time to go into the specifics of not just this particular variety, but also the other most popular varieties of the exacta bet type.
Basic Exacta
This is the simplest exacta bet type to comprehend and perform, as well as the most profitable. In order to put this exacta type, most racebooks will let you to do so at the very least; our chart at the top of this page lists the top 10 alternatives. Please let me to walk you through a brief example of how an exacta bet works, using TwinSpires as our bookmaker, in order to make things crystal apparent. To begin, you must first log into your TwinSpires account and locate the race on which you wish to place a wager.
on Saturday.
You next check the boxes next to the horses you feel will finish first and second, respectively, in the order in which you believe they will finish.
If your selections finish in the exact order that you selected, you will be the winner.
Exacta Box Bet
The exacta box, which is a variation on the classic exacta, is by far the most common variation of this bet type. It’s a little more complicated, and it demands a larger initial investment, but it actually boosts your chances of generating money in the long run. An exacta box allows you to still select the horses you feel will finish first and second in a particular race while also increasing your odds of winning. Importantly, though, because they’re ‘boxed’ together, they have the flexibility to complete in whatever order they want.
The disadvantage of using an exacta box is that it is more expensive to put.
One of the coolest things about an exacta box is that each ‘box’ can really contain more than two runners, which makes for a very exciting game.
Obviously, including more runners in your exacta box increases your chances of winning.
Take two runners in a basic exacta with a $10 bet, and the total stake will remain at $10 as a result of this. The total stake climbs to $20 if you use an exacta box with two selections. Adding a third runner raises the price to $60, a fourth raises the price to $120, and so on and so forth.
Exacta Wheel
Wheels are a variation on the exacta bet type that is significantly less prevalent. However, for some bettors, they provide a happy medium between the basic exacta and the exacta box, and they are thus preferred. When you start an exacta wheel, you choose the horse you feel will win the race and place it on the wheel. After that, though, you construct a ‘wheel’ around it consisting of additional runners who you feel have a chance of finishing second. If your first horse wins, you’ll always earn a return, but if any of your other runners come in second, you’ll also get a return.
These, on the other hand, are actually less expensive to put because – rather than the price growing exponentially as you add options – the price increases in a linear fashion as you add selections.
Why Should You Place an Exacta Bet?
The exacta bet, like all other bet kinds, has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a brief look at some of the most notable instances of each of these categories. Pros This is – by far and away – the most compelling aspect of the exacta betting proposition. These bets are inherently more difficult to win than ordinary Race Winner bets because you’re attempting to anticipate a more specific outcome. Your benefits for doing so successfully, on the other hand, are significantly greater, which means that a solid exacta can easily pay more than multiple winning Race Winner bets.
- Instead of placing a single wager on a single finishing place, you are placing two individual wagers on two different finishing positions.
- In contrast to certain more sophisticated (or ‘exotic’) multiples, the exacta bet is incredibly simple to understand and execute.
- Cons This is by far the most visible disadvantage.
- When you have to properly guess the second-placed horse as well, the complexity of the task increases dramatically as a result.
- The time commitment associated with an exacta bet will be greater since you’ll be required to make two selections every race rather of one, and this will be exacerbated even further if you’re putting a box or wheel bet.
Exacta Bet Calculator
The key to achieving success with the exacta bet is to strike a balance between risk and reward. Knowing that these are difficult to win, you can rest assured that they can be absolutely worthwhile if the potential rewards are high enough for the effort. Calculating your stakes (and, consequently, your risk) for these bets can be difficult, especially when it comes to exacta boxes. Similarly, not all bookmakers will assist you in this situation, and if they do not, we recommend that you use a third-party website instead.
It’s free, simple to use, and allows you to choose between regular and box exactas in a single transaction.
This is due to the fact that exacta bets are placed using the pari mutuel system, which means that every punter’s exacta stake is pooled together, and winning bettors receive a share of the pot after the race.
Therefore, it is difficult to predict with certainty how much money you will win in a certain game.
Betting Strategies to Use for Exacta Betting
In the world of horse racing betting, there are a vast number of tactics out there that have been developed by countless professionals throughout the years. Only a small number of them are particularly related to exacta betting, with the following two examples serving as uncommon exceptions.
Exploiting the Favourite
When a horse is heavily favored coming into a race, it’s frequently not even worth it to place a bet on it. There’s always a substantial possibility that it won’t go through, and if the price is low enough, the risk exceeds the benefit in most situations. Exacta bets provide you the opportunity to wager on a big favorite. You’ll accomplish this by grouping them together with a second horse in order to maintain your overall odds advantage while also dramatically increasing your potential gains.
Bet the Field
When it comes to seasoned punters, this is the most prevalent technique in which they employ exacta bets. Because of the vig that bookmakers include in their odds, placing individual betting on each runner in a race would never result in a profit, regardless of the outcome. Exacta bets, on the other hand, have the potential to be extremely rewarding. The primary means for pursuing this strategy is through the use of an exacta wheel. You start with a large favorite in which you have a lot of confidence, and then you put every other runner into your wheel to ensure that you get your return.
5 Key Betting Tips When Placing an Exacta Bet
As we’ve mentioned previously in this post, we’ve shared some valuable information on how to get the most of your exacta wager. For the time being, let’s concentrate on five of the most effective betting strategies for making money with these unusual multiples.
Tip 1 – Start Slow
If it’s your first time putting an exacta bet, don’t jump in headfirst and wager $500 on a long shot. Instead, start small and work your way up. Instead, begin with a little investment, either with the very minimum allowed or just with a lot smaller stake than you would normally use. After that, you should wait until you’ve gotten the hang of this particular bet type before progressively increasing your amounts.
Tip 2 – Measure Your Stakes
Even if you get more comfortable with the exacta bet type, you should still be cautious with your stakes and keep them far lower than you would typically put on your horse racing wagers in order to avoid losing money. Keep in mind that, by their very nature, they are difficult wagers to win. When placing an exacta wager, even if you are feeling as secure as possible, there is still a good potential that you will lose not just the gamble, but also your whole deposit.
Tip 3 – Put in the Time
When it comes to selecting your exacta choices, there is no alternative for diligent research and preparation.
Before you commit to any race, take the time to research the form, weather conditions, and entry costs. Instead of depending on a single betting tipster to educate your exacta bet, obtain a diverse range of professional viewpoints to use as a guide.
Tip 4 – Focus on Big Events
This is another tip that we would strongly recommend to anyone who is new to exacta betting. Races with a larger field of competitors will receive the greatest attention from betting tipsters, and many will offer particular exacta recommendations for these events. Not only that, but these races frequently serve as strong justifications for bookmakers to give unique horse racing promotions as a result of them.
Tip 5 – Mix it Up
It’s important to remember that you’re not restricted to a single exacta wager. As previously discussed in this article, there are three primary types, each of which has its own set of advantages. Not scared to try with all three at lower stakes to see which one you feel most comfortable with moving ahead in the long run.
Best Exacta Bet Offers in the US
When it comes to making your money go farther, special offers are among the most successful methods. That holds true for horse racing just as much as it does for any other betting market. The only sort of promotion that is expressly created for exacta bets is a one-time offer, although frequent welcome incentives may also be quite beneficial in this situation.
Exacta Bet Insurance
At the time of writing, TwinSpires is one of just a few sportsbooks that offers a specialized exacta bet special offer to its customers. There are specific requirements that must be followed before your stake on a lost exacta bet would be returned to you, and this is an example of a traditional insurance agreement. To begin, you must place your wager on a racetrack that is qualified for the Exacta Insurance promotion, which is clearly listed on the offer page. A minimum of seven horses must start the race, and the deal will only be activated if your two selected horses finish in the top three, but not in the order anticipated in your wager, according to the terms of the wager.
Welcome Offers
The most generous bonuses were offered as part of sign-up offers. The unfortunate reality is that, even if horse racing markets are acceptable for any qualification or rollover criteria, the exacta bet type in particular is frequently barred from participating. If you can locate a sign-up offer that promises a substantial bonus with reasonable terms and conditions, and for which exacta bets are unquestionably qualified, we recommend taking advantage of it as soon as possible.
Placing an Exacta Bet on a Mobile App
Sport bettors have seen a dramatic shift in their betting experience as mobile technology has progressed. This undoubtedly applies to horse racing betting as well, and it goes without saying that admirers of the exacta bet would appreciate this as well. In this regard, US sportsbooks are really a touch behind their counterparts in other nations. In contrast to the fact that practically every big overseas brand, for example, will have its own mobile application, this is still not a given for American companies.
What’s more, this covers a similar variety of horse racing markets and the ability to put an exacta bet whenever and wherever you choose, which is critical for our purposes.
Top 3 Mobile Apps for an Exacta Bet in Horse Racing
| Brand | Operating Systems | Size (iOS / Android) | Minimum iOS Version | Minimum Android Version |
| TwinSpires | Android, iOS | 77 MB / 16 MB | 12.1 | 6.0 |
| TVG | Android, iOS | 35 MB / 6 MB | 12.0 | Not Stated |
| Bovada | iOS | 15 MB | 12.0 | N/A |
Is There Exacta Betting in Other Sports?
If the exacta bet structure is applied to any sport in which individual competitors compete against one other – such as auto racing, cycling, athletics, and so on – it appears to be a universally applicable format. In fact, though, the exacta wager is virtually exclusively associated with horse racing. Greyhound racing is the only other sport in which you can consistently locate exacta bet markets, and it is the most popular. Almost exactly the same rules apply in this situation – you select the winner, then one or more additional runners, all of whom must finish in the identical order that you predicted in the previous round.
Final Thoughts
After reading this article, you should have a clear understanding of what an exacta bet is and how it works in sports betting. Not only that, but you also have a good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of this interesting bet type, and – as a result – whether it is appropriate for your gaming style or not. If the exacta bet is something that interests you, the next step is to sign up with one of our suggested betting sites, fund your account, and place an exacta bet to see how it works for you.
You will give yourself the greatest possible opportunity of having a successful and pleasurable experience if you follow these steps.
FAQ
Exacta betting is selecting the first and second place finishers in a race in the exact sequence in which they appear on the results board – hence the term exacta. Exactas, which are also known as the exactor or perfecta at some tracks, are appealing betting possibilities for many gamblers due to the possibility for big payoffs. Exactas are also known as the exactor at some tracks. Exacta wagering also provides an opportunity to earn a significant profit on a race in which the favorite is a heavy favorite and win betting is a bad value proposition due to the heavy favorite.
It is popular among players to wager on exactas not just because of the possibility for large payouts, but also because the tote board at most racetracks will display the likely exacta payoffs before a race begins.
Additionally, exacta boxes of two or more horses are a popular alternative for many bettors when their handicapping skills are unable to distinguish between the winner and their top competitors.
There are three fundamental types of exacta wagering possibilities, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Straight Exacta Betting
The straight exacta bet is the initial type of exacta wagering option available, and it is often provided in quantities as low as $2.
If you wager $2 on the straight exacta 3-4, you would have to hope that horse 3 wins the race while horse 4 finishes second in order to cash a winning ticket.
Exacta Boxes
This is the second and most common exacta wagering technique, and it consists of pairing two or more horses to finish first or second in any particular order. An exacta box of horses 3-4 would represent two potential combinations – 3-4 and 4-3 – at a cost of $2, with a minimum denomination of $1. An exacta box of horses 3-4 would generally be available in a minimum denomination of $1, with a minimum denomination of $1. The price of a $1 exacta box is directly proportional to the number of horses and potential combinations that are included in the box.
- Keep in mind that, while any of these combinations would allow you to cash a ticket, the amount you would receive would be just half of the real $2 straight exacta payment, due to the fact that you only played one $1 box.
- It would cost $12 to bet on an exacta box of the same three horses (2-3-4) for $2, which is double the price of a $1 exacta box.
- To figure out the cost of a $1 exacta box, multiply the number of horses you wish to box by the number of horses in the box minus one and divide the result by 100.
- Please see the table below for some further exacta box estimates and costs: a $1 exacta box of three horses is equal to 3 * (3-1) = six combinations* $1 is equal to $6.
- $1 exacta box of 5 horses = 5 * (5-1) = 20 possibilities * $1 exacta box of 5 horses = $1 exacta box of 5 horses $1 equals $20.
- $1 equals $30.
- $1 exacta box of 8 horses = 8 * (8-1) = 56 combinations * $1 exacta box of 8 horses $1 is equal to $56.
Exacta boxes are generally considered to be poor value; however, because they are relatively simple to understand, mentally easier to play (because you do not have to pick the horses in the exact order in which they appear on the board), and offer the greatest likelihood of cashing a ticket (even at a loss), they are the most popular method of playing exactas in general.
Inefficiencies are exactly what clever gamblers seek for and strive to capitalize on as much as possible.
Exacta Wheels and Exacta Part-Wheels
The third technique of playing exactas is to wheel one horse (or more than one horse) in one position with any number of horses in the other position. This is known as the wheeling method. A $1 exacta wheel 3-with-All in an eight-horse field (3 with 1,2,4,5,6,7,8, – seven $1 combinations) would cost $7 if you were to place it on the first horse. In order for you to be able to pay a ticket, the 3 horse would have to win and any of the other horses (1,2,4,5,6,7,8) would have to finish second. Another option is to wager on a $1 exacta wheel All-with-3 (1,2,4,5,6,7,8, with 3 – again, seven $1 combinations) at a cost of $7 if you believe the 3 horse has a higher probability of placing second.
When playing exactas, you may also play them as part-wheels.
Using the above example, you may wager $3 on a $1 exacta part-wheel 3 with the numbers 2, 4, and 5 (three possible winning combinations: 3-2, 3-4, 3-5) in an eight-horse field.
Even while exacta wheels and part-wheels are not nearly as inefficient as boxes, they still have potential for improvement, which takes us to our favourite exacta betting approach, which we will discuss below.
Preferred Exacta Betting Strategies
Consider the following scenario: you like horses 5, 6, and 7 to finish first or second in a race. Horse 5 has a 50 percent probability of winning the race, horse 6 has a 20 percent chance of winning the race, and horse 7 has a ten percent chance of winning the race, based on your handicapping calculations. In this circumstance, the vast majority of bettors would place an exactor box of 5-6-7 – six potential combinations. There are four alternative combinations for other bettors to use: an exactor part-wheel wheel of 5 with 6, 7 and an extra part-wheel wheel of 6 with 5, as well as an exactor part-wheel wheel of 6 with 7.
In this situation, the part-wheel is more efficient because it excludes the less probable combinations of 6-7 and 7-6 while still evaluating both the 6 and 7 horses as having the same likelihood of winning or coming second.
Exacta Box – Least Efficient
$10 for an exacta box 5-6-7 = 6 potential combinations, each of which is bet in an equal amount = $60 Exacta Tickets that were generated as a result
- $10 on the exacta 5-6 = $10
- Exacta is $10. 5-7 = $10
- Exacta $10
- 5-7 = $10 6-5 equals $10
- Exacta equals $10. 6-7 = $10
- Exacta is $10. 7-5 equals $10
- Exacta equals $10. 7-6 = ten dollars
Exacta Part-Wheels – Slightly More Efficient
Exacta component wheel for $15 5 with 6, 7 with 6, 7 with 5 = 4 potential combinations = $60.
5 with 6, 7 with 5 = $60. Exacta Tickets that were generated as a result
- 15 dollars on the exacta 5-6 = $15
- Exacta is $15. 5-7 = $15
- Exacta 6-5 = $15
- Exacta 7-5 = $15
- 5-7 = $15
Exacta Part-Wheels Correlated to Winning Probabilities as Identified by Your Handicapping – Highly Efficient
- $30 exacta 5-6
- $20 exacta 5-7
- $6 exacta 6-5
- $4 exacta 7-5
- $30 exacta 5-6
Results and Exacta Payoffs
The race unfolded precisely as predicted by your handicapping — the 5 horse won, while the 6 horse finished second. The $2 exacta 5-6 returned a profit of $20. You’re in luck! Depending on how you place your wager. If you had chosen the first option, the exacta box, the results would have been as follows: The cost is $60. $100 – $60 = $40 Profit on a $10 exacta 5-6 wager If you had chosen the second option, the exacta part-wheels, the results would have been as follows: The cost is $60. $15.00 exacta 5-6 = $150 minus $60 = $90 profit If you had chosen the third option – exacta part-wheels connected to winning odds as determined by your handicapping – you would have received the following payout: The cost is $60.
A good return on investment over the long term is achieved by the final exacta wagering strategy, which invests more money in higher probability combinations as indicated by your handicapping.
While adopting the inefficient exacta box approach may result in more tickets being cashed, it is unclear that this low-profit strategy will be profitable in the long run.
Due to inefficiencies in the exacta betting pools, the latter scenario frequently results in payoffs that are higher than they should be.
Are you ready to put some wagers?