How to Place a Bet to Win at a Horse Race

Playing the ponies can be fun. While there are many different bets you can make, one of the most popular is betting a horse to "win." That means the horse you pick must finish first.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Read the guide, which handicaps the race. These are available at the track for a small fee. Read about the horses in the upcoming race. This will give you detailed information, such as their post numbers, odds, recent performances and times and how they run in certain conditions. All of these factors can influence your decision.
2. Pick which horse you want to place a "to win" bet on. You can place more than one bet on a race. So if you think a couple of horses might win, one strategy is to bet them both. While you'll obviously lose one bet, if the odds are long enough, it could still pay off big. This can be a great strategy to take a flier on the long shot. Throw $3 on the 50 to 1 horse and you could be moments away from collecting $150.
3. Approach the betting module or betting window. Most tracks have an electronic option. If you've placed a few bets before, this will be your quickest path. But if you are new to betting, go to the window and someone will walk you through the process. Announce the number of the race, how much you would like to bet, the number of the horse and make it clear that you are placing a bet "to win." For instance, you would say "In the second race I'd like to place a $3 bet on the 4 horse to win."
4. Hand over your cash and receive your betting ticket. Always check that it is correct before leaving the window.
5. Enjoy the race and root for your horse. If he win, takes your ticket to the window and collect your money!

Tips & Warnings

• Gambling is extremely addictive. If you or someone you know has a problem, contact gambler's anonymous immediately. They also are online at gamblersanonymous.org.