by Staff Writer
While betting on horses has always seemed to be the kind of betting that’s been around forever, I myself never really got it. I’d walk up to the boards in Vegas and be really confused. Placing a bet on football always seemed easier to me, so that’s what I would do. Even now I’ll only put money down on horses once in a while.
There are a few different types of betting when it comes to horses. The most common, the one you see Moe betting on all the time on The Simpsons, is what is called standard betting. Basically, you see the odds, you pick a horse and you place a bet using the odds on the giant board. The ticket you get back gives you all the info you need: what you could win, what you could lose, how much you bet, the odds, the horse, etc.
Bets A-Plenty
There are other types of bets that range from straightforward to “I’m still a little new at this.” A win bet is even easier than a standard bet. Basically, you pick a horse to win and if it does, you get money. I know you’ve heard the horse betting lingo on television: “Dusty to place and Rawhide to win.” When Betting Horses will place, you mean to say that you are betting that a horse will place, that is, come in first, second, third and, in some cases, fourth. Usually for a place bet, there has to be a minimum number of horses in the race. Also, depending on how many horses in the race, you may only win if the horse comes in a specific place or in the top three. Be sure to find out before you bet!
Just like in live betting, online sportsbooks should have a place where you can ask questions or get information. A sample bet or a glossary offered by bookmakers is usually enough to get someone in the loop. You may find, as I did, that betting horses online is fun, but nothing can replace the racetrack or Vegas in this sense. I bet horses online for fun when I’m on a business trip or something like that. The nice thing about online sports betting is that there is always something there when you want it.
