Thinking about making your first bet at the beautiful Del Mar Racetrack by the ocean? You're not alone. Many first-time race fans are feeling the same excitement you are, and are just unsure of how to start. The good news is, learning how to bet at Del Mar races is easy and fun. Whether you are watching in the grandstand or streaming from home, this helpful guide breaks down everything step by step, so you are confident in placing your first winning ticket.
Before you begin to bet money, you need a racing program. You pick up a program for free at the track, or you can usually download one online the day before. The program is your best friend; it includes every race of the day, as well as each of the horses, jockeys, trainers, odds, and more information. You'll commonly see a countdown clock to the next race, sometimes called "Minutes to Post" (MTP), on some of the video boards on the grounds. Use the time that you have to study your race that you want to bet on. As a tip for the newbies, bring a pen to circle your picks, and note down the information like most experienced bettors do.
Once you have selected the race you want to bet on, the second step is to select a horse. Each horse will have a number in the race program. This number will be on a colorful piece of fabric, which is often called a saddlecloth, that the horse will wear during the race, which will allow you to follow it in the race.
You won't want to base your choice on the name of the horse or the colour (but I know many people do!). It is much better to see how the horse has performed in its recent races, who the jockey is, and the odds. All of this information is available in the race program, so you can use this to make a smart choice.
Now let's talk about types of bets. If you're new to racing, keep it basic. You can place three types of basic bets:
You can also bet Across the Board, which is the three bets all combined on one horse. This gives you more chances to win, but it costs a bit more.
Once you are prepared to place your bet, head to the teller window or self-service machine. When placing your bet, you will have to give the track name, race number, amount of the bet, the type of bet and the number of the horse. When you have completed this, the teller will give you a printed ticket; don't lose it. That's what you will use to collect your winnings if your horse runs the way you have predicted.
Are you feeling pretty good about jumping in here? You may want to consider exotic bets. Exotic bets can pay big, but they can also be more difficult to win.
Want to be a little safer? You can box these bets, which means the horses can finish in any order, but it will cost you a little more.
It's a good idea to know the odds so you can understand how much money you might win. At Del Mar, the betting system will be called pari-mutuel wagering. That just means the odds can change depending on the betting.
For instance, if you bet $2 to win on Horse #5 with 3-1 odds, your payout will be $8 if Horse #5 finishes first. The payout includes $6 in profit plus your $2.
You can find a payout chart within the race program or at the betting windows. These payout charts help you guess how much you could win before you make your wager.
If you want to be a better player, try the following tips quickly and easily:
Betting at Del Mar does not have to be confusing. Now that you know the fundamentals of how to bet at Del Mar races and its tips from reviewing the program and making your first bet, you are ready to jump in. Whether you want a monster score or want the experience, Del Mar has something for everyone. So grab a pen, circle your picks, and get a taste of the thrill of the turf, meet the surf.
The first step to betting at Del Mar is to pick up a free racing program at the track, or you can download one online. A racing program contains all the most relevant information about the race, horses, jockeys, and odds. The racing program will help you to make your choice before going up to bet at a betting window or kiosk.
The easiest bet that you can make as a new bettor is a Win, Place or Show bet. A Win bet only pays if your horse finishes first, a Place bet pays if your horse finishes first or second, and a Show bet pays if your horse finishes first, second or third. These are easy bets that are good for getting you familiar with how the system works.
Del Mar has a pari-mutuel wagering system (betting), which means the odds change based on how people are wagering. If you wagered $2 on a 3-1 horse, and that horse wins, your total return is $8 (which is $6 in winnings and your $2 stake). The track has payout charts that allow you to approximate your return before you bet.
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