How to Box an Exacta

You've read the racing program and are about to pick the winner, but you have one small problem: you can't decide between two horses. Consider "boxing" an exacta, or picking the first and second place horses in no particular order. Follow these steps to learn how to box an exacta.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Choose which 2 horses are most likely to come in first and second, and decide how much you want to bet. The standard bet is $2, so if you're boxing 2 horses, it will cost you $4.
2. Go to the window and say, "$2 exacta box on numbers 1 and 2," substituting the numbers of the horses you've picked. Tell the cashier the track and the number of the race. Pay your $4.
3. Watch the race. If your horses come in first and second, you win. Collect your earnings.
4. Consider betting an exotic exacta box on the next race. Choose 3 horses that are likely to come in first or second.
5. Tell the cashier at the window, "$2 exacta box on numbers 4, 5 and 6," again substituting the numbers of your own picks. Specify the track and race number. This time, you'll have to pay $12 because you're placing 6 bets.
6. Cheer for your horses during the race. If any of your 3 horses finish first and second, in any order, you win. So, using horses 4, 5 and 6 as examples, any of the results (4,5), (5,4), (4,6), (6,4), (5,6), (6,5) wins.

Tips & Warnings

• Many tracks allow you to make a $1 exacta box wager. This wager costs half as much as a $2 bet, but your winnings will also be half as much.
• The formula for calculating your wager is: [(Number of horses in box (Number of horses in box -1) x dollar amount of bet]. So, if you're betting $2 on two horses: [(2 horses (2 horses - 1) x $2] = 2 x 1 x 2 = $4.