There are various ways to place a bet on the Racecourse
You can either bet with the totepool, which as the name suggests is a pool betting system, with one of the on course bookmakers or in one of the bookmakers shop on course.
You then ask the bookmaker for your bet by naming your horse and the amount of money you want to wager on it. He will repeat the bet to you and if he is wrong correct him – also check your receipt once you are handed it.
If you bet on the tote you won’t know the odds that will be returned until your horse wins. And if you are lucky enough to back a winner take your betting ticket back to the bookmaker or tote who will give you your winnings which you should check.
You can also back a horse each way which means that you will get a percentage of the odds if the horse is placed. Not all bookies take each way bets so check this first.
The standard each way terms that will be offered by bookmakers are as follows:
- Up to 4 runners win only
- 5-7 runners a quarter the odds a place 1,2
- 8 or more runners a fifth odds a place 1,2,3
- Handicaps with 12 to 15 runners (inclusive) a quarter odds a place 1,2,3
- Handicaps with 16 – 21 runners (inclusive) a fifth odds a place 1,2,3,4
- Handicaps with 22 or more runners – a quarter the odds a place 1,2,3,4
- All bookmakers will display on their boards whether they are betting each way or to win only.
The different type of tote bets are as follows:
- Pick the winner of the race. Minimum bet £2.
- Pick a horse to be placed in the race.
Minimum bet £2. Your selections need to be placed as follows:
- Up to 4 runners – no place betting
- 5 – 7 runners – 1st and 2nd
- 8+ runners – 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
