Playing To Win

EXACTAS

The exacta is the most popular gimmick bet. It has multiple uses both as a stand alone wager and in combination with other bets. It is a very good way to bet around a favorite who we think might be an underlay. The most common type of exacta bet is the two or three horse box, although wheels and part wheels are also used. Each gives the player multiple chances to win but also guarantee that all but one combination will lose unless there is a dead heat. Most players tend to use too many combinations. A $1 two horse box costs $2. Adding a third horse to the box increases the cost to $6 but probably doesn’t triple our chances to win. A better idea might be to play a partial wheel using two horses to win and three to run second. That costs $4 and may double our chances. We should avoid using horses that will tend to compromise each other’s chances tactically (except in higher class races.) A box of two horses who both need the lead to run effectively is a terrible bet, for example, because they are either apt to duel or one will chase and tire.

The exacta is used by some in an attempt to improve the mutuel when we don’t want to bet against a strong favorite. This may or may not be a good idea depending on the circumstances. In a high class race there is nothing wrong with playing the favoritesecond favorite straight. It won’t pay much but there is a good chance that we will win, particularly if the two horses have contrasting styles. In races with lesser class, a straight exacta is still a good play but we shouldn’t use the second favorite to run second unless he has a contrasting style. Otherwise, we suggest that the shortest priced horse who has a style that contrasts with the favorite’s be used. A poor play along these lines is to play three of the four shorter priced horses to run second in a part wheel with the favorite to win. Since only one combination can win and all the mutuels are likely to be small, that simply adds to our risk without adding much, if anything, to our potential reward. The situation is different, however, if only longshots are played in the second position. Now we have to take on more risk but it may be justified by the prospect of a higher mutuel.

The exacta can be very effectively used in combination with other bets to increase our chances while minimizing risk. Let’s assume we like two horses in the second half of the double. One we consider quite likely to run first or second, while the other (perhaps a horse we think might wire them) may win but is less likely to run second if he doesn’t win. Consider using only the former horse with the idea that if our double is alive after the first race is run, that we will play a straight exacta with the latter horse winning and the former horse running second. The advantage of this strategy is that it cuts our loss in half if the first race doesn’t go our way while giving us almost the same chance to win if it does.

Earlier, we suggested that it is generally not a good idea to bet a longshot to place because of the way that place mutuels are computed. A much better way to protect a $10 longshot win bet is to play a small part wheel with two or three favorites to win and our longshot to run second. If the longshot wins, we won’t mind throwing away the exacta ticket, and if he runs second, there is a very good chance that our exacta will pay as much as would a place bet. The big advantage of this strategy is that we will have bet less, so we will lose less anytime the longshot doesn’t run first or second.

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312-Advanced Betting

• Intro
• Parlay Type Gimmicks
• Exactas
• Trifectas