PGR'S GUIDE TO EACH TYPE OF BET

Ready to place your bets? Need a bit more information before you bet on the horses at meetings across Australia? Already have a bit of experience but want to expand your betting repertoire?

No matter which situation best reflects your experience, this guide is for you. Read on to learn more about betting on horses at race meetings here in Australia.

Betting with TAB: The Pros and Cons

The Pros

• It has a rich and diverse set of betting options, covering a wide variety of races and betting types.
• There is live streaming for all races held across Australia so you can follow the action with ease.
• It is the largest bookmaking firm in Australia, which means big pools on most kinds of bets.
• Odds are posted quickly, making it easy to make the ideal bet for you.

The Cons

• Gamblers miss out on the atmosphere of being at the racetrack, which is a big part of betting for many people.
• While minimum bets of $1 are available online, the minimum for telephone betting is $10.
• Some of the betting options they offer come with higher than average margins, which may slightly reduce the odds in some cases.

Betting With The Bookmakers: The Pros and Cons

The Pros

• It is arguably a more traditional and more exciting environment than betting online.
• It allows for face-to-face communication with staff members, which many customers value.
• There is a wide selection of races.
• Computerised odds with speedy updates are available.

The Cons

• There are fewer available race options than those found online with TAB.
• There are fewer available betting type options than those offered by TAB.
• It is a less convenient process, and customers are unable to bet on the move unless you have a phone account with the Bookie.
• The betting process is less simple than online, and staff may be busy and unable to assist with close support.

Betting On-Course at the Track: The Pros and Cons

The Pros

• You get to experience the exciting atmosphere of actually being there at the track.
• You have access to other races from other meetings on the same day.
• You have the opportunity to get a better feel for the form of the runners.

The Cons

• The available options are not as wide-ranging as they are online.
• You may not be able to connect with better odds and other special offers that are found online.
• You may find yourself swept up in the atmosphere, which can make it difficult to bet with a clear head.

Betting Off-Course, Away from the Track: The Pros and Cons

The Pros

• There is a range of different odds and races available, with odds fluctuations delivered in real time.
• You may be able to access better prices and special offers not available at the track.
• It is a more convenient betting experience.

The Cons

• You will lose the atmosphere and experience of track betting.
• You may not be able to adequately judge the form of the horses as you are not at the meeting.
• You may not know whether to bet online or with a bookmaker as you might not be able to decide who will offer the best odds.

Australian Horse Racing Betting Types: A Handy Guide

The Win Bet

It is the most straightforward bet. Simply choose which horse you think will win.

The Place Bet

Choose a horse that "place," i.e., finish first, second or third. For smaller fields, only first and second finishes will count, and place bets will not be allowed in fields of less than five.

The Each Way Bet

It combines the win and place bets. Get a higher return if your horse wins and a lower return for a place.

Starting Price Odds

Place a bet at Starting Price odds (SP) with bookmakers and receive the official fixed price of each runner at the close of betting.

The Top Fluctuation Bet

It is a bet placed and is available on most city race meetings and it guarantees the bet will be paid out at the best fluctuation (odds)offered by on-course bookmakers. Top Fluctuation bets must be placed before the betting ring opens, usually 30 minutes before the race start.

The Fixed Odds Bet

Choose the winning horse and get paid based on locked-in odds. If the odds lengthen or shorten after you place your bet, it does not affect your return.

The Quinella Bet

Choose the two horses to finish in first and second, in either order. Receive a return based on the total money in the quinella pool.

Box quinella: Choose as many horses as you like, but two must finish in the top two places. Standout quinella: Choose a group of horses to finish specifically first and a group to finish second. Each group must provide a runner in the designated place if returns are to be paid.

The Exacta Bet

Choose the first and second placed runners in the right order.

Box exacta: Choose a group of runners for your exacta bet.

The Trifecta Bet

Choose the first three placing horses in the right order.

Box trifecta: Choose groups of horses for each place. One horse from each group must finish in the designated place in order to pay out.

Standout trifecta: Choose the first placed horse and then choose groups of horses you think will place second or third.

The First Four Bet

Choose the first four horses in the correct order.

Straight first four: Choose four horses and four finishing positions. Get the correct horses in the correct order.

Box first four: Choose groups of runners for the first four positions. It does not need to be in order.

Standout first four: Choose a first placing runner and then a group of other runners for the next three positions.

Multiple first four: Choose a group of runners for first place and then a group of runners to finish in any of the next three places in the first four.

The Big 6 Bet

Choose the winners of six nominated races at the same meeting. The bookmaker will choose the six races at each meeting.

The Quadrella Bet

The Quadrella bet is similar to the big 6 bet, except you will need to make your selection across four nominated races rather than six.

The Doubles Bet

For a doubles bet, you will select the winners of two races at a meeting. The races will be nominated by the bookmaker.

The running doubles bet: For a running doubles bet, you will need to pick the winner of two consecutive races at one meeting. You will be able to pick the two consecutive races.

The Treble Bet

The treble bet requires you to pick a winner in three separate races. The returns from your first bet are rolled over into the second bet, and so on. However, all three bets must be successful to receive a payout.

The All Up Bet

It is similar to the treble bet, except it is extended over more races. Each return is used to bet on the next race in the sequence, exponentially increasing your winnings. All selections must win in order to receive a payout.

The Accumulator or Parlay Bet

It is similar to the All Up bet, except the return is not rolled over into the next bet. Instead, odds are drawn up for a package bet across a combination of races. All race bets must be successful if you are to receive payout.

Have Fun and Bet Responsibly

As you can see, there are heaps of options open to you when it comes to placing your bets! Choose the options that best suit the meeting you are betting on or simply the ones that excite you the most. Remember, bet responsibly and have fun!