One of the simplest ways to bet on horse racing, win, place, show is perfect for beginners looking to make their mark in the vast landscape of derbies, Triple Crowns and odds stakes.
If you’re looking to start horse race betting but unsure where to begin, it’s best to start with the most simple types of bet, a straight bet like a win, place, or show wager before you start placing exotic bets.
Win, Place & Show betting is one wager you can place and Joe Fortenbaugh has provided us his best how to bet on horse racing guide.
How Win, Place, Show Horse Race Betting Works
Like all sports betting, some bets are more complicate than others. This is a simple betting option that can be broken down into three components: Win, Place and Show. Each plays a unique role in (hopefully) netting you some cash.
A win, place, show payout will depend on the takeout – more on that below – and how accurate your picks are.
Win Betting
A win wager is as easy as it gets. You win your bet if your chosen horse triumphs. If you bet $100 on a horse that has +500 odds (5/1), you’ll win $500 if that stallion trots past the finish line before the others.
Place Betting
What does place mean in horse racing? If you bet on a horse to place, your horse must finish either first or second. This bet provides two different options for success, but your payout will be smaller than with the previously mentioned bet type because there’s less risk involved. The riskier the bet, the bigger the payout.
Show Betting
What does show mean in horse racing? Betting on a horse to show requires your chosen steed to finish in first, second or third place. Since the bet gives you three different ways to win, the payout will generally be less than a victory in place or win. As with the wager above, there is less risk involved with this kind of bet.
Across The Board
Across the board denotes a bet in which your chosen horse must win, place and/or show. Like a parlay bet in other sports, this is several bets combined on one ticket. If your horse wins the race, you get win, place and show payoffs. If your horse finishes second you receive place and show payouts, and if your horse comes in third, you only get the show payout.
This bet is named in reference to the tote board. This is the electronic or alphanumeric display found in racetracks that conveys information to spectators – kind of like a scoreboard you’d find at ballparks and football fields.
Horse Racing Handicapping Strategies
Whether you’re looking to wager on the Belmont Stakes, Kentucky Derby or a minor race, it’s important for new players to avoid jumping into the deep end of the pool without at least trying to build your bankroll through more traditional bets.
Traditional wagering is a lower-risk proposition compared to more complicated bets like the Pick 6. Sure, intricate bets come with a higher payout but if you’re a novice bettor, wait until you’ve won a few win, place, or show bets before moving on to a more complex wager.
You wouldn’t dive into the deep end if you didn’t know how to swim. So, stay away from sophisticated bets until you find your footing.
It’s better to cash many small tickets than be knocked out of a multifaceted bet in the first leg of a race. In addition, tracks have a lower takeout rate on win, place, and show betting as compared to exotic wagers like trifectas. This is how racetracks make their money.
Like the vig online sportsbooks take, this is the percentage of each pool or bet that the track takes. The percentage taken varies per racebook and can be anywhere from five to 30 percent.
Another handicapping tool is to watch races from the past so you can understand what you’re betting on. If you’re making a show bet on the Preakness Stakes, check out clips from the previous year’s race to get a feel for the track.
Then, read up on your chosen horse. The more information you can get on a horse regarding their speed, gait and jockey, the better equipped you’ll be to make a smart pick.
“The win bet may be the forgotten bet. However, it is still a viable option and should not be overlooked. If you tune in to TVG, you would think the Pick 4 and the Pick 6 are the only bets available.
Don’t be fooled, you can make money on lower-risk bets. Betting to win, place, and show are also better for your hairline and blood pressure.”
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Win, Place, Show, Wagering FAQ
What Is A Win, Place, Show
A win, place, and show bets each have their own requirements for you to walk away a Sportsbook. When placing a "win" bet at a racebook you are wagering on a horse to win the race outright, "place" is betting on a selected horse to finish first or second, and a show wager is betting that your pick will finish first, second, or third.
How Does Win, Place, Show Payout
If you make a win, place and show bet on the same horse this payout depends on the finish for your horse. Say you place a bet at the Kentucky Derby, If the horse places first, you would collect winnings from all three wagers, second-place you win place and show bets, and third-place you only win your place bet.
What Does It Mean To Place A Show Bet
A simple bet to place in horse racing, a show bet is when you wager on a horse to finish either first, second, or third in their race. This is a great bet to place for beginners as you have some wiggle room to win your bet, but the payout is the same regardless of where in the top 3 your horse places.
