Intro to Racing
Everyone has their own strategy for picking the race’s winning combination. Some make a detailed analysis on each horse in the race, some use a number system based on statistics, while others simply pick a horse based on their looks or even the jockey’s clothing.
Regardless of strategy, anyone has the ability to bet. Just follow the steps below to get started.
What to do when you get to the track:
1. Get a program - First things first, when you get to the track, buy a program for the track you want to bet on. Racing programs tell you the horse/rider combinations for each race and give you important information on how each horse has done in past races. Programs are available at each entrance.
2. Pick up a tip sheet – If you are new to betting, our tip sheets will show you our handicappers’ top picks. For more information on our handicappers, click here.
3. Ask for assistance if needed – Studying a program for the first time might be a little overwhelming. There are guides to help you within the program. Sam Houston Race Park also has experienced betting guides who walk around the grandstand to assist with your betting questions. For more information please visit the Players Lounge on the Paddock Level North end of the building.
4. Check for race day changes – Before deciding which horse to bet on, check the television screen to see if any horses have been scratched from the race or any other changes have been made.
5. Make a selection – Now for the fun part. You have your horse(s) picked. Time to make a bet! The various wagers are listed below. If you’re new to the game, you may want to start out with the simple win, place, and show bets. Then try your hand at some more complex wagers.
How to place a bet:
When you get to the track, you’ll see our tellers in yellow shirts on every level. When you go to the teller's window, remember these three easy steps for placing your wagers:
1. TELL WHICH RACE TRACK YOU ARE WAGERING ON and GIVE THE RACE NUMBER.
(Sam Houston Race Park simulcasts race tracks from all over the country)
2. GIVE THE AMOUNT OF THE WAGER and GIVE THE TYPE OF WAGER.
3. GIVE THE NUMBER(S) OF THE HORSE(S) YOU ARE WAGERING ON.
For example: "At Sam Houston Race Park, in the third race, I would like $2 to win on number 3."
Some tips to remember:
Always wager by the horse’s number in the program, not by the horse's name.
Always check your ticket before leaving the mutuel teller window or before pushing the "finish" button on a Self-Automated Teller machine. State law prohibits any cancelation of a win ticket valued at $501 or more. Tickets can only be canceled if there is a late scratch involving one of the horses on your ticket.
All patrons of Sam Houston Race Park must be 21 years of age to wager or consume alcoholic beverages.
Types of Wagers:
Every race, Sam Houston Race Park offers a wide variety of wagers for you to choose from. Here are some of the key wagers available.
WIN - offered every race
When you wager to win, your horse must finish first in order to collect.
To wager to WIN, you say "I want $2 to WIN on number 3."
PLACE - offered every race
When you wager to place, your horse must finish first or second.
To wager to PLACE, you say, "I want $2 to PLACE on number 3."
SHOW - offered every race
When you wager to show, your horse can finish first, second, or third. A show wager is the most conservative wager, but it typically yields the smallest payoff.
To wager to SHOW, you say, "I want $2 to SHOW on number 3."
ACROSS THE BOARD - offered every race
When you wager across the board or combination, your horse must win, place, or show.
To wager ACROSS THE BOARD or COMBINATION, you say, "I want $2 ACROSS THE BOARD on number 1." Your wager will be $6.
DAILY DOUBLE - offered on the first and second races and on the ninth and tenth races
To win the daily double, you must select the winners of the first two races. Wagering must be done prior to the first race.
To wager on the DAILY DOUBLE, you say, "I would like a $2 DAILY DOUBLE, 1 with 2."
QUINELLA
This is a $2 wager in which you select two horses to finish in first AND second. For example, you wager $2 and pick two numbers (for example, 1 and 2), and you win if the race finishes either 1-2 or 2-1. Your two numbers must cross the finish line first and second, but they can finish in either order.
To wager the QUINELLA, you say "$2 QUINELLA on 1-2."
* A QUINELLA WHEEL or PART WHEEL involves "keying" one horse with several others in your wager.
* A QUINELLA BOX involves combining all possible combinations of a group of horses in the QUINELLA.
EXACTA
This is a $2 wager, in which your top two selections must finish in exact order for you to win. Exactas yield a higher return than quinellas.
To wager an EXACTA, you say "$2 EXACTA on the 1-2."
* An EXACTA WHEEL involves "keying" one horse with several others in your wager.
* An EXACTA BOX involves combining all possible combinations of a group of horses in the EXACTA.
TRIFECTA
This is a $2 wager like the exacta, but you must pick the first three horses to cross the finish line in exact order. Because this is more difficult, it will return more than an exacta.
To wager on a TRIFECTA, you say, "$2 TRIFECTA on the 1, 2 and 3."
* A TRIFECTA WHEEL involves "keying" one horse with several others in the wager.
* A TRIFECTA BOX involves combining all possible combinations of a group of horses in the TRIFECTA.
SUPERFECTA
This is a $2 wager where you must select the first four horses to cross the finish line in exact order. Once again, your return will be greater than the exacta and trifecta because it is a more complex wager.
To Wager a SUPERFECTA, you say, "$2 SUPERFECTA on the 1, 2, 3 and 4."
* A SUPERFECTA WHEEL involves "keying" one horse with several others in the wager.
* A SUPERFECTA BOX involves combining all possible combinations of a group of horses in the SUPERFECTA.
GOOD LUCK!!!
