Seen on:
as known from New York Timesas known from USA Todayas known from yahoo!
OH
The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Horse Racing / A Guide to the basics of Horse Race Betting

A Guide to the basics of Horse Race Betting

A guide to betting the horses!
Publish Date: 04/26/2021
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis

Horse racing is one of the favorite sports that the people of Slovenians love to place bets on, thanks to its worldwide accessibility.

If you’re new to the online betting scene and want to know the nitty-gritty about wagering on horses, don’t worry.

Several sources online like mightytips.si can help you know how to get started with horse race betting. Plus, if you’re a newbie, read on to know the basic wager types.

Online Betting- The Slovenian Scene

The Gambling Act of 1995 attempted to regulate the country’s gambling environment. However, the regulations did not touch online gambling in particular. Presently, the legal situation in Slovenia remains the same.

Slovenians can freely access state and international betting websites without fear of prosecution.

  • There is no government restriction on foreign online bookies.
  • Only people of 18 years or above are legally allowed to play wager games.
  • Only E-stave operates under a state license. (low payouts).
  • Winnings from online international bookmakers are not taxable.

Types of Betting

Online betting is quite dynamic – and you can bet in different ways. You won’t ever have a boring moment when playing these basic bet types.

Straight Bet

Straight bets are of three types. You either can bet to win, finish second (place) or finish third (show). “Across the board” is, however, the fourth way. As long as it ranks in the Top 3, it still pays off your wager.

In the first case, the horse must win. If you bet to finish second, you win if it wins or places but, the payout is only the ‘place’ money. The same rule applies to winning the ‘show’ money.

An ‘across the board bet’ triples your wagering amount. For third place, you collect the show money. However, you win both show and place money if it finishes second.

Exotic Bet for Singles

It would be best if you choose a horse in the correct order of finish to improve your chances of hitting exotic bets. For an “exacta bet,” the first two finishers and the top 3 for a “trifecta bet.” Based on the closing odds of your horse, these wagers open doors to higher payouts.

A quinella bet, aka boxed exacta, allows punters to pick the first two horses. You win if it finishes in either order. On the other hand, in superfecta betting, you can choose the top 4 horses in a race. It is challenging to pick superfectas and trifectas. In that case, wheeling in a horse with another group can keep your bankroll in favor.

Exotic Bet for Multiple

These races are of 4 types- pick 6, pick 4 and pick 3 and daily double.

This might be your biggest bet if you’re only looking forward to picking winners in consecutive races. As attractive as it is, it is a challenging gamble. However, if your winning picks are correct, your winning increases with each race in the mix.

For Daily Doubles, if you are right, even with two races, your payout will go up (based on the total wager on each pool).

Insider Tips to Win your Bet

Following are the tips that can help you win the wager.

Gamble on the Right Horse

Never put your wager on a horse that has just come back from an extended rest period (first race after layoff). Knowing the horse’s off-late racing history comes in handy. In the first comeback race, these horses may not give their best. That is usually the case in higher-class racing. So, going for the one running its second race (post layoff) will be a wiser call for online gamblers.

Research your horse’s racing history

It isn’t a good idea to risk your funds on any race. You need to measure the horse’s weakness and strength. So, handicapping all the races on the day’s card is best for beginners to get acquainted with the process. Place a real bet only when you are confident about your picks.

This strategy works great when you can bet on multiple tracks simultaneously. However, don’t let the excitement that horse racing brings to the table get to you. It may end up impacting your betting bankroll. That is why first-timers must only focus on one or two tracks initially.

Mind the track surface & its condition

Horse racing mainly occurs on turf or dirt tracks. Know your horse’s previous performance of similar track surfaces. Most of them are trained to run on a particular surface, but at times, crossovers happen. That is true, especially for high-class stake races.

Track condition also influences their performance. Horse race, be it shine or rain. Is your horse running on a dry or a wet track? It is best to place your bets after comparing their racing history on it.

Check the Horse Grade

The world of horse betting has a grading system that ranges from Grade 1 to a claiming race (low payout). For instance, the Kentucky Derby is a Grade 1 race.

Horses start racing from two years of age and work their way up in ranks gradually. The average ones running on tracks in regular racecards keep moving up & down in grade. Bet on the one that drops in rank. It will increase your chances of winning because they run with lower-class horses now.

So, this was the basics of betting on horses. We hope it helps & betters your gambling experience in horse racing!

Read Also
Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings 12/15/2025
Rutgers has the weakest résumé in the league right now. At 5–6 ...
BetMGM Promo
Straight Bet Meaning: What Is a Straight Bet in Sports Betting?
You’re a new sports bettor ready to place your first wager. Then ...
Value Sports Betting Explained: What Is Value Betting?
As a sports bettor, it’s natural to always seek strategies to help ...
Each Way Bet Explained: What Is an Each Way Betting and How Does it Work?
There are many different ways to bet and potentially have success, and ...
Round Robin Bet Meaning: What Is a Round Robin Bet and Is It Worth It?
A round robin bet is a combo wager that is made up ...
Yankee Bet Explained with Examples: What Is a Yankee Bet?
A Yankee bet, traditionally popular with horse racing betting, is a wager ...
Hedge Betting Explained with Examples: How to Hedge a Bet?
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if you could make sure that you minimize ...
150th Kentucky Derby: Odds, Tips and Predictions
NBC Sports will feature 12 1/2 hours of racing coverage this May ...
How to bet on NFL Pre Season Jaguars vs Raiders in Tennessee 04/08
Raiders are small favorites on the money line. Spread is also small ...
How to bet on NFL Pre Season Jaguars vs Raiders in Pennsylvania 04/08
Raiders are a small favorite on the money line. Spread is also ...
How to bet on NFL Pre Season Jaguars vs Raiders in Virginia 04/08
Raiders make a good choice for the money line. Spread is also ...
How to Bet on The Stanley Cup Finals
Our team at Grueling Truth has put together this detailed guide on ...
How to Bet on Horse Racing in 2026: Betting on Horses Explained (+ Best Bookies)
This is the best time of the year for a new gambler ...
Latest Sport News
Steeped in boxing history – The Sacramento Memorial Auditorium
It didn't take me long to start roaming ...
Florida State at Alabama: Mike Norvell Faces More Pressure
Florida State could really make use of a ...
Georgia at Arkansas: Bulldogs Gets Its First Real Road Test
Georgia at Arkansas finally gives us a chance ...
College Football Week 3 Predictions: LSU/Ole Miss, TTU/Houston, and much more
College Football Week 3 Predictions  Week 2 saw ...
NFL Week 2 Bengals vs Texans: Preview and Prediction
Sunday, September 20, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM ET ...
NFL Week 2 Colts vs Chiefs: Preview and Prediction
Sunday, September 20, 2026 Time: 8:20 PM ET ...
NFL Week 2 Steelers vs Patriots: Preview and Prediction
Sunday, September 20, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM ET ...
NFL Week 2 Giants vs Rams: Preview and Prediction
Monday, September 21, 2026 Time: 8:15 PM ET ...
Top 10 Most Overrated College Football Programs of All Time
Calling a college football program overrated does not ...
LSU vs Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin Returns to Oxford
LSU vs Ole Miss has a reunion built ...
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
FanDuel
4.6/5
BetMGM
4.5/5
DraftKings
4.5/5
Fanatics
4.2/5
4.4/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
DraftKings
DraftKings Promo
New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
To be eligible for DraftKings Sportsbook and the Promotion, you must be physically located in AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR (residents only), TN, VA, VT, WY, WV, CA-ONT or CA-AB (each an “Eligible Jurisdiction” or, collectively, the “Eligible Jurisdictions”). Must be 21+ years of age or older (18+ if in DC/NH/PR/WY/CA-AB) (19+ in CA-ONT). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA) Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 9/20/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Fanatics
Fanatics Promo
Get Up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash
T&Cs apply
4.2/5
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)
Caesars Promo
Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterJames ErnestMark LewisJohn RaspantiSamuel Teets
+5
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
James Ernest
James Ernest
Author
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
John Raspanti
John Raspanti
Author
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Daniel Kornhauser
Daniel Kornhauser
Author
Marvin Uzor
Marvin Uzor
Author
Ellis Williams
Ellis Williams
Author
Chris Benedict
Chris Benedict
Editor
Jon Adams
Jon Adams
Sports Writer

21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.
CloudflareSSL
Close
Ready to Win Big? Join the Elite with Our Sports Betting Deals!
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
Our Favorite
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open FanDuel
Get Bonus
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Best Slots
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open BetMGM
Get Bonus
DraftKings
DraftKings Promo
New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES
Newcomer
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open DraftKings
Get Bonus
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Play now