A new guide has been released to help those new to online betting navigate the various types of horse racing wagers. Horse racing is described as arguably the most popular sport for online betting, with bookmakers offering numerous odds daily across the UK, Ireland, and globally.
The guide covers common bet types, starting with the simple 'win bet', where punters select a horse they believe will win a race. More complex options include 'each-way bets', which split a stake between a horse to win and to 'place' (finish in a specific position, often top three), and 'place bets', where the wager is solely on a horse to finish in a particular position.
For experienced bettors, 'exotic bets' like 'forecast/exacta' (picking the first two horses in order) and 'trifecta' (first, second, and third in order) offer higher payouts but come with increased risk. 'Accumulator bets' allow combining multiple selections from different races into a single bet, requiring all selections to win for a payout. Newer options like 'bet builders' have also recently been introduced to racing markets.
Other bet types include 'Placepot' and 'Jackpot', where punters predict multiple placings or winners across several races. 'Ante post bets' allow wagers to be placed long before an event, though horses are not guaranteed to race. The guide also advises on responsible gambling practices, emphasising that betting should be considered entertainment and not a way to make money.