Types of bets – A Guide To Horse Racing Betting

Get an insight into types of bets with our guide to horse racing 

Most people like to have a bet on the horses every now and again, with few other sports offering such glitz, excitement and drama.
Racing has become one of the nation’s favourite sports – especially when it comes to betting.

There are many betting types to choose from when placing a wager. From singles to multiples, we have a list of some of the most popular types of bet. Betting each way and help understanding on how to read bet odds.

Betting types

Single

The most popular betting type, a straight win with one selection picked from one single event.

Double

Two selections combined into one bet. These will be running in two different events and must both win for a return.

Treble

Three selections from three different events. Again all three will need to win for a return. No part returns.

Accumulator

Four or more selections that are combined into one bet. This bet is very popular with those that like the chance of big returns from a small outlay.

Lucky 15

Arguably the most popular bet in The Sport of Kings. Consists of four selections and 15 bets – four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold. A each way Lucky 15 also consists of four selections but with 30 bets. For example a £1 Lucky 15 would usually cost £15, however a E/W bet would instead cost £30.

Lucky 31

A Lucky 31 consists of 31 bets of equal value on selections in five separate events: five singles, ten doubles, ten trebles, five four-folds and one five-fold accumulator. For example a £1 Lucky 31 costs £31.

Lucky 63

A Lucky 63 is a bet made up of six selections and 63 bets, including: six singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, six fivefolds and one sixfold.

Heinz Bet

The Heinz bet is made up or six selections and consists of 57 bets of equal value on selections in six separate events: 15 doubles, 10 trebles, 15 four-folds, six five-folds and one five-fold accumulator. For example a £1 Heinz bet costs £57.

Each Way Bet

Put simply, an each-way bet is two bets on the same horse – one bet on the horse to win, and another on the horse to be placed.
It costs double the amount of a win-only bet, but gives you a better chance of a payout.
If the horse wins, you win both parts of the bet; if it is placed you only win on the place part – usually a quarter or a fifth of the winning odds.

Forecasts

A forecast is a bet on the horses that you think will come first and second in a race, while a tricast is a prediction of the top three.
Whatever is won on the first horse then rolls over onto the second (and third), meaning that returns are better than just predicting the winner. Sounds tough, but can come in handy when betting on a race involving a short-priced favourite.

Tricasts

Forecasts and tricasts can also be reversed, meaning that you can predict the top two or three to finish in any order.
The stake will be higher, as you are betting on a number of different outcomes.

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