What are Exotic Bets?
Exotic bets (also called combination bets) allow you to predict multiple finishing positions in a race. They're more challenging than simple Win/Place bets but offer much bigger potential returns.
Racing Only
Exotic bets are available for Horse Racing, Greyhound Racing, and Harness Racing only.
Types of Exotic Bets
We offer several exotic bet types, each with different requirements and payouts:
- Same Race Multi - Multiple selections in the same race
- Quinella - Pick the first two in any order
- Exacta - Pick the first two in correct order
- Trifecta - Pick the first three in correct order
- First Four - Pick the first four in correct order
- Quadrella - Pick the winner of four consecutive races
Same Race Multi
Combine multiple selections from the same race into one bet.
How It Works
- Multiple selections - Choose 2 or more runners in the same race
- All must place - Each selection must finish in a placing position
- Higher dividends - Better returns than individual place bets
Example
Race 5 - Same Race Multi:
- Horse #2 (to place)
- Horse #5 (to place)
- Horse #8 (to place)
All three horses must finish in the placings for you to win.
Popular Choice
Same Race Multi is perfect for races where you like multiple runners but don't want to pick the exact order.
Quinella
Pick the first two finishers in any order.
How It Works
- Select 2 runners - Choose which two will finish 1st and 2nd
- Any order - They can finish in either order
- Both must place top 2 - If either finishes 3rd or worse, you lose
Example
Quinella: Horses #3 and #7
Winning outcomes:
- Horse #3 first, Horse #7 second ✓
- Horse #7 first, Horse #3 second ✓
Losing outcomes:
- Horse #3 first, Horse #5 second ✗
- Any other combination ✗
Boxed Quinella
Select 3 or more runners and cover all possible Quinella combinations.
Example - Box 3 horses (#2, #5, #8):
- Covers: 2-5, 2-8, 5-8 (3 combinations)
- Cost: $1 × 3 = $3
Exacta
Pick the first two finishers in correct order.
How It Works
- Select 2 runners - Choose which will finish 1st and 2nd
- Exact order - Must finish in the order you specify
- Higher payout than Quinella - More difficult = bigger returns
Example
Exacta: Horse #3 first, Horse #7 second
Winning outcome:
- Horse #3 first, Horse #7 second ✓
Losing outcomes:
- Horse #7 first, Horse #3 second ✗ (wrong order)
- Any other combination ✗
Boxed Exacta
Select 3 or more runners and cover all possible Exacta combinations.
Example - Box 3 horses (#2, #5, #8):
- Covers: 2-5, 2-8, 5-2, 5-8, 8-2, 8-5 (6 combinations)
- Cost: $1 × 6 = $6
Box vs Straight
Straight: Pick exact order (cheaper but harder to win) Boxed: Cover all combinations (costs more but easier to win)
Trifecta
Pick the first three finishers in correct order.
How It Works
- Select 3 runners - Choose which will finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
- Exact order - Must finish in the order you specify
- Big payouts - Difficult to get right but very rewarding
Example
Trifecta: Horse #2 first, Horse #5 second, Horse #9 third
Winning outcome:
- Horse #2 first, Horse #5 second, Horse #9 third ✓
Losing outcomes:
- Any other order or combination ✗
Boxed Trifecta
Select 4 or more runners and cover all possible Trifecta combinations.
Example - Box 4 horses (#2, #5, #8, #9):
- Covers all possible orders of these 4 horses finishing 1-2-3
- Total combinations: 24
- Cost: $1 × 24 = $24
Roving Banker Trifecta
Lock one horse in a specific position and box the others.
Example:
- Horse #2 to win (1st position locked)
- Box horses #5, #8, #9 for 2nd and 3rd
This covers:
- 2-5-8, 2-5-9, 2-8-5, 2-8-9, 2-9-5, 2-9-8 (6 combinations)
First Four
Pick the first four finishers in correct order.
How It Works
- Select 4 runners - Choose which will finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
- Exact order - Must finish in the order you specify
- Huge payouts - Very difficult but offers massive returns
Example
First Four: Horses #1, #4, #7, #10 (in that order)
Winning outcome:
- Horse #1 first, Horse #4 second, Horse #7 third, Horse #10 fourth ✓
Losing outcomes:
- Any other order or combination ✗
Boxed First Four
Select 5 or more runners and cover all possible First Four combinations.
Example - Box 5 horses:
- Total combinations: 120
- Cost: $1 × 120 = $120
High Cost
Boxing First Four bets can be expensive due to the large number of combinations. Consider smaller stakes or fewer selections.
Quadrella
Pick the winner of four consecutive races.
How It Works
- Four races - Usually Races 5, 6, 7, and 8 (or similar)
- Pick one winner per race - Select which horse will win each race
- All must win - If any selection loses, the entire bet loses
- Massive payouts - Very difficult but can pay huge dividends
Example
Quadrella (Races 5-6-7-8):
- Race 5: Horse #3 to win
- Race 6: Horse #7 to win
- Race 7: Horse #2 to win
- Race 8: Horse #5 to win
All four horses must win their respective races.
Boxed Quadrella
Select multiple horses per race to cover more combinations.
Example:
- Race 5: Horses #2, #3, #5 (3 selections)
- Race 6: Horses #1, #7 (2 selections)
- Race 7: Horses #2, #4, #8 (3 selections)
- Race 8: Horses #5, #9 (2 selections)
Total combinations: 3 × 2 × 3 × 2 = 36 Cost: $1 × 36 = $36
Understanding Combinations
When you box exotic bets, you're placing multiple bets covering different combinations.
Combination Formulas
| Bet Type | Selections | Combinations | Cost ($1 unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinella Box | 3 | 3 | $3 |
| Quinella Box | 4 | 6 | $6 |
| Exacta Box | 3 | 6 | $6 |
| Exacta Box | 4 | 12 | $12 |
| Trifecta Box | 4 | 24 | $24 |
| Trifecta Box | 5 | 60 | $60 |
| First Four Box | 5 | 120 | $120 |
| First Four Box | 6 | 360 | $360 |
Auto-Calculated
Our betslip automatically calculates the number of combinations and total cost when you select your runners.
Exotic Bet Strategies
Start Simple
- Begin with Quinella - Easiest exotic bet to understand and win
- Try Exacta next - Slightly harder but better payouts
- Progress to Trifecta - Once you're comfortable with the basics
Use Bankers
- Lock in a strong favorite - Use a banker in one position
- Box the rest - Cover multiple combinations for other positions
- Reduces cost - Fewer combinations than full box
Consider Field Size
- Smaller fields - Easier to predict, lower payouts
- Larger fields - Harder to predict, bigger payouts
- Sweet spot - 8-12 runner races offer good balance
Tips for Exotic Betting
- Study the form - Research is even more important for exotic bets
- Watch your budget - Boxing can get expensive quickly
- Start with smaller stakes - Use $0.50 or $1 units to keep costs down
- Focus on one race - Don't spread yourself too thin
- Consider part-wheels - Use bankers to reduce combinations
- Check dividends - Look at historical payouts for similar races
Common Questions
What's the minimum stake for exotic bets?
The minimum is $0.01 per combination. So a boxed Exacta with 6 combinations has a minimum total stake of $0.06.
Can I use bonus bets on exotic bets?
Yes, bonus bets can be used on exotic bets, subject to the bonus bet terms and maximum limits.
What happens if a horse is scratched?
If a horse in your exotic bet is scratched before the race:
- Your bet may be refunded
- Or the bet continues with remaining selections (depends on bet type)
- Check the specific rules for each exotic bet type
Are exotic bets available on all races?
Most races offer exotic betting, but availability depends on:
- Field size (usually need 6+ runners)
- Race type and jurisdiction
- Meeting conditions
Which exotic bet has the best odds of winning?
Quinella is easiest to win (any order), followed by Exacta (correct order), then Trifecta and First Four (much harder).