Betting on horse racing can be done in a number of ways. One of the most common is by using the Tote. Before you determine where to invest your money, it is important to understand how tote betting has been around since 1929.
The Tote in horse racing events operates mainly in a similar way to the lottery. Players or bettors select their horses for each race on the schedule and deposit their capital into a cumulative pot. At the end of all races, all those with a winning ticket share a percentage of the jackpot. It therefore differs from traditional betting by pooling all the predictions into one big prize, which is redistributed to those who bet on the winning horses.
How to place a Tote bet
To place a bet on a horse race using the Tote system, racecourses provide a space for people to do so in a convenient way. There are strategically placed Tote branded Selling points around the racecourse, whilst you can also place bets online with Tote too.
You will be able to see the odds that will be paid for the following races. However, it is recommended to wait until the last moment because these can change up to the very moment of the start of the race.
Here is the step-by-step guide to place a Tote bet:
1. Select your race: All the races scheduled for that day will appear on the screen. You just have to choose the one you like.
2. Choose the type of bet: There are two basic types of Tote bets: simple bets and exotic bets. These in turn are subdivided into other groups. From the available ones, you have to choose the one you are passionate about.
3. Select your horse(s): You can choose as many horses as you want for a race. Always indicating each type of bet for each one.
4. Decide on the type of bet: From the large selection of simple or exotic bets, details of which will be given later.
5. Place your bet: It is a matter of formalising the betting slip at the racecourse and, according to each race, its guidelines or rules.
After completing all these steps, you will receive the confirmation of your bet slip, and you will only have to watch and enjoy the race and wait for the results with the winners.
Tote bets types
We have already told you that there are two types of Tote bets: simple and exotic. Here is a breakdown of each of them and their divisions.
1. Tote win and Tote place bets
Within this category of bets is: Tote win and Tote place. Let’s take a look at each one:
- Win: In this case, the bettor chooses a horse as the winner of that race. That is to say, the one he considers will come in first place.
- Place: In this type of bet a horse is chosen, the bettor will be placed in a certain place within that race. That is to say, he could come in second, third or fourth place, etc.
2. Exotic Tote bets
These bets are more numerous and contain all these alternatives:
- Exacta: You have to choose 2 horses that you are betting on to come in the first two places. In this case, each horse must be placed in the correct order and in the same race.
- Trifecta: In these bets, you select 3 horses that will finish in the first three places. In this case each horse must be placed in the correct order (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and in the same race.
- Swinger: In these bets, 3 horses are selected to finish in the first three places. However, unlike the Trifecta, the correct order does not matter. But they must compete in the same race
- Quodpot: In these bets 3 horses are chosen to finish in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place. In this case, each horse must be designated in that exact order and in the same race.
- Placepot: These bets are placed on 6 horses that will finish in the first 6 places in the first 6 races on which you are betting in all the races of the same day.
- Jackpot: These bets are placed on 6 horses that will finish in the middle 6 places of the jackpot races or races with a jackpot in which they are bet on from all the races of the same day.
- Scoop6: These bets select 6 centre winning horses from the various races you are betting on from all the high profile races taking place on a Friday or Saturday.
How are Tote odds calculated?
Tote odds are calculated based on the performance of horses and jockeys throughout their careers, and especially in the recent past. These calculations are made and set by the racecourse. However, it is possible to determine the favourite and the underdog in a race.
How to identify this at a glance? It is very easy: the horse with the lowest odds is the favourite to win, and the one with the highest odds is the underdog. In other words, the one that pays the least is the one that is likely to win and the one that pays the most is the one that is least likely to win.
However, in Tote betting, it is more profitable to bet on underdogs in particular. On many occasions they have paid out fabulous sums and have been a surprise to punters.
However, it must be understood that there is no definite method of winning infallibly. But it can be lucrative to focus on the Tote in wider matches, where there are numerous types of the best available.
In addition to underdogs, it can be a good strategy to use Tote bets on big handicaps, trifecta and exacta payouts, as it is possible to occasionally double the odds payouts. Also, in these particular cases, it is advantageous to do so when a couple of high-priced bookies are involved.
Where can I find the Tote?
Tote horse racing betting is available at the vast majority of UK racecourses. They all have beautiful venues set up to accommodate bettors.
They can even be placed online with automatic odds and odds calculators. If you want to enter this exciting world, you can visit Tote.co.uk from the comfort of your home or from your smartphone and place your Tote horse racing bets.
Strategies for success in Tote betting
Before placing a Tote bet on a horse race, it is advisable to follow these tips:
1. Understand the basics: For a novice in horse betting with the Tote method, the first step involves knowing the different types of bets that propose this modality.
2. Examine the odds and returns: It is not only necessary to understand the betting methods. It is crucial to understand the odds system. These values represent the odds calculated by the bookmakers for the victory of a horse. A low (odds) indicates that the horse is a favourite, with possible smaller profits more likely. On the other hand, a high (odds) indicates that the horse is an outsider or underdog, which provides higher profits, but with a higher risk because it is less likely to win.
3. Knowing the performance of the rider and the horse: This is fundamental. Both rider and horse must know each other and if they have ridden together before, the better. But, much more advantageous is that the same rider has ridden that horse on previous occasions, and they have won.
4. Be informed: Of the latest relevant equestrian events that have to do with horse racing, trainers, jockeys and equines.
5. Manage your bankroll well: It is the budget you will spend on your bets, and you must be aware that you can be very lucky and win big prizes. But you can also lose. So never risk more than you are willing to lose.
Tote betting provides the experience of horse racing and, if you are looking to enter this exciting world, buying a stake in a racehorse provides a new and exciting way to get involved in the sport. At the same time, it provides you with potential prizes and a more intimate bond with the horses you are backing.
