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How to bet on the horses?

Put simply, betting on horse racing is bloody good fun - even more so with a bunch of mates!

In its simplest form it is one of the most basic and easy-to-follow forms of gambling on offer: i.e. back a horse to win, if it ends up being the first horse across the line then stroll up and collect your winnings - or nowadays it's more like look at your phone and see the dollars in your account soar! Either way, it's easy as.

But it can also be as challenging and complex as you choose to make it. As well as the traditional, straightforward single bets (i.e Win, Place, Each Way etc.) there are also a host of exotic bet types that offer crafty punters some seriously big payouts if they can get it right.

How to choose who to bet with?

There are so many factors that can come into play here but the first thing you need to work out is whether you're betting online or not.

Are you betting online?
If not, you're choices are limited to the following options:
  • the TAB (or whatever your elevant tote operator is) via a betting outlet or PubTAB
  • on-course bookmakers if you've made the effort to get to the track
If you are you'll have a lot more options - and much better odds - to dive in to:
  • On top of the above options, you'll also have a raft of corporate bookmakers to choose from, each with their own unique sign-up bonus and different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to their odds, available markets and general betting posture
It basically boils down to the individual, but from a purely punting perspective it makes very little sense to limit yourself to the brick-and-mortar options provided by the TAB. Betting online is much quicker, much easier and offers much better value for money thanks to the competitive pricing offered by the corporates (this is because they aren't bound by the same margins as the TAB, which is why a TAB online account is still restrictive for the punter.)

How to choose between bookmakers?

If you're struggling to decide which bookmaker(s) to join then the following process should make the decision clearer for you.

Our 5-step guide to choosing a bookmaker:

  1. Work out what type of bets you are most likely to be placing.
  2. Find a bookmaker that offers those bet types and has generous odds products so that you can maximise your returns.
  3. If you don't want to be limited to one bookmaker's odds, repeat the process and join another. That way you can choose to bet with whichever bookie is offering the best odds
  4. For singles such as WIn, Place or Each Way, you should always view an odds comparison tool (See's Odds Comparison tool), which will display all the live up-to-date odds feeds from all the leading bookmakers. With one glance you can see who has the best price for your preferred runner. Over the journey this can lead to a significant increase in winnings.
  5. Lastly, when you do sign up with a bookie, make sure you make the most of their Sign-Up Bonus offer to new customers! You'll only get one opportunity with each so, providing you can afford it, try to deposit a larger amount for a bigger bonus. You will then have to turn your deposit amount over but if you bet smart this can lead to massive windfalls!

Deposit $
Bet with $0^
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Deposit $50
Bet with $200^
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Deposit $
Bet with $0^
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Deposit $
Bet with $0^
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Where can I place a bet?

There are lots of ways to place a bet. Here are the key things you should think about:

Do you have an online betting account?

If you do, use whatever tech is at hand to hop on the relevant website/App and start punting! 

If you don't, your limited to the TAB, in which case you best visit your relevant tote operator's website and use the store locator to find the nearest or best option available to you.
Alternatively, our best suggestion would be to sign up with one of the corporates to make your punting life a lot easier. But we know that doesn't appeal to everyone so for those not engaging with online betting here's where you'll have to go.

If you are at the track: there are plenty of betting options for you. There are lots of on-course TABs (via a teller or an EBT) or on-course bookmakers, most of whom can be found in the betting ring.

If you're not at the track: you can either visit a TAB or PubTab. 

Bet with the TAB via one of the attendants/tellers or via an EBT - in this instance you would either relay your bet to the teller and exchange the required cash, or with an EBT you would follow the prompts until your wager is ready to be confirmed, then, presuming you have the required credit in the betting terminal, confirm and hopefully win!

Both of these options are fine, if you're still living in the 90s/early 2000s... Our advice would be open up at least one online betting account so you aren't forced into visiting brick-and-mortar betting outlets - they're not the most uplifting environment to operate in and in our increasingly time-poor world such limitations are not very efficient.

How can I find the best odds?

There isn't any one bookmaker that can guarantee you the best odds every time. Unfortunately, different bookies at different times will offer premium odds on a given event; you've just gotta hope it's one you have an account with.

That said, the easiest way to ensure you're getting the best odds is to use an odds comparison tool - See's Odds Comparison tool!

This isn't shameless self-promotion. It's a genuine fact. By viewing an odds comparison tool you can see the live, up-to-date prices from all the leading bookmakers. And, presuming you have an account with the one offering the best odds, simply dive in and take a piece of the best price going around. The more accounts you have the better the likelihood that you'll have the bookie offering the best odds. But even two or three accounts will leave you well placed to swoop on the top odds.

Below is a screenshot of our Odds Comparison tool - click on it to view the odds comparison tables for today's racing!

Horse Racing: Bet Types?

There are so many different bets out there, some are incredibly straightforward while others can be quite complex. Below is a brief description of each bet type. Click on the individual bet types for a comprehensive breakdown of each.

Win: Select the runner you think will finish first in the race.

Place: Select a runner you think will finish in the placings (first, second or third). In fields with fewer than seven horses they will only payout on two placegetters (first and second)

Each-Way: A combination of Win and Place bets, meaning your runner must either win or place. A $5 bet Each-way is a $5.00 bet to Win and a $5.00 bet to Place, at a total cost of $10.

Exacta: Your runners must finish first and second, in order.

Quinella: Your runners must finish first and second, in any order.

Trifecta: Your runners must finish first, second and third, in order*. 

First4:Your runners must finish first, second and third, in order*.

Duet: Two of your runners must finish in the first three horses across the line, but they can finish in any of those positions.

Running Double: Your must pick the winner of consecutive races on the same card/race meeting. 

Daily Double: You must pick the winners of two nominated races at a meeting.

Treble: You must pick the winner of three nominated races (always consecutive)on the same card/race meeting. This bet isn't available in all state, unless you are betting with an online bookmaker.

Quadrella or Quaddie: You must pick the winner of four nominated races on the same card/race meeting. Quaddies are typically held across the last four races at a meeting.

Super 6 (or Big 6): Similar to a quaddie, but you must pick the winners of six nominated races. These are typically applied to single race meets, but are sometimes split across two meetings.

Multis: A multi is a bet that consists of multiple legs (or singles) that combined into one bet. They will cover a range of races are and offer great scope for big wins.