How to Box a Trifecta

If you've selected the three best horses from the program but are having trouble determining what place they'll come in, try a trifecta box. By placing this bet, you win no matter what order the three horses come in. Follow these steps to see how a trifecta box works.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Pick 3 horses that are likely to come in first, second and third. Decide how much you want to bet. Since there are 6 winning combinations, a simple trifecta box is like placing 6 bets. This means a $2 wager will cost you $12.
2. Go to the window and say, "$2 trifecta box on horses 1, 2 and 3," substituting your picks for the 1, 2 and 3 in this example. Specify what race at which track.
3. Watch the race and root for your horses to win, place and show. Collect your earnings if your 3 horses come in first, second and third, no matter what order they place in.
4. Consider placing an exotic trifecta box wager on the next race. Choose 4 horses to bet on this time.
5. Tell the person at the window you want a "$2 trifecta box on horses 1, 2, 3 and 4." This bet will cost you $48 because there are 24 possible winning combinations.
6. Collect your earnings if any 3 of your 4 horses come in first, second and third.

Tips & Warnings

• Wagers increase exponentially for each horse you add to the trifecta box. A $2 box on 4 horses is $48, on 5 it's $120, 6 is $240 and 7 is $420.
• Many tracks accept $1 box bets even if the standard minimum is $2. A $1 trifecta box on 3 horses costs $6, 4 horses $24, 5 horses $60, 6 horses $120 and 7 horses $210.