An exacta box is a type of wager in horse racing that involves picking the first and second place horses in a particular race. It’s one of the simplest and most popular forms of horse betting. Traditionally, an exacta box requires the bettor to pick the top two horses in a race, in any order. But with the advent of online betting, a wider variety of exacta box options have become available.
How Does an Exacta Box Work?
An exacta box bet is essentially a combination bet that involves betting on multiple horses in a single wager. The bettor selects two or more horses in a race and then specifies the order in which they should finish. If the horses finish in the specified order, the bettor wins. If the horses finish in any other order, the bettor loses.
Types of Exacta Box Bets
There are two main types of exacta box bets: straight exacta boxes and combination exacta boxes.
Straight Exacta Box
A straight exacta box consists of two different horses. The bettor selects two horses and then specifies the order in which they should finish. For example, if the bettor picks Horse A and Horse B, they must finish first and second in that order to win the bet.
Combination Exacta Box
A combination exacta box consists of three or more horses. The bettor selects three or more horses and then specifies the order in which they should finish. For example, if the bettor picks Horse A, Horse B and Horse C, they must finish first, second and third in that order to win the bet.
Calculating the Cost of an Exacta Box
To calculate the cost of an exacta box bet, you need to multiply the number of horses in the box by the number of horses left in the field minus one. For example, if you have a two-horse exacta box, the cost would be 2 x (number of horses in the field – 1).
Calculating the Payout of an Exacta Box
The payout of an exacta box depends on the odds of the horses in the box. The odds of each horse are determined by the track’s odds makers. For example, if the horses in the exacta box have odds of 4-1 and 5-1, the payout would be calculated as follows: (4 x 5) x (odds of the winning horse – 1). In this case, the payout would be 20 x (4 – 1), or 80.
Advantages of Exacta Box Betting
Exacta box betting offers several advantages for horse racing bettors.
More Chance of Winning
One of the main advantages of exacta box betting is that it gives the bettor more chance of winning. With a straight exacta box, the bettor has two chances of winning, whereas with a combination exacta box, the bettor has multiple chances of winning.
Lower Risk Betting
Exacta box betting also offers lower risk betting than other types of wagers. Since the bettor is betting on multiple horses, the chances of winning are increased, thus reducing the risk of losing the bet.
Higher Payouts
Exacta box betting also offers the potential for higher payouts than other types of wagers. Since the bettor is betting on multiple horses, the potential payout is increased, thus increasing the potential winnings from the bet.
Disadvantages of Exacta Box Betting
While exacta box betting offers several advantages for horse racing bettors, there are also some drawbacks to this type of wagering.
Higher Cost
One of the main disadvantages of exacta box betting is that it has a higher cost than other types of wagers. Since the bettor is betting on multiple horses, the cost of the bet is increased, thus making it more expensive than other types of wagers.
More Difficult to Pick Winning Combinations
Another disadvantage of exacta box betting is that it can be more difficult to pick winning combinations. Since the bettor is betting on multiple horses, it can be difficult to predict which horses will finish first and second in the exact order.
Conclusion
Exacta box betting is a popular form of horse racing wagering that offers the potential for higher payouts and lower risk betting. While exacta box betting does have its advantages, it also has its drawbacks such as higher costs and more difficult to pick winning combinations. Ultimately, exacta box betting is a viable strategy for horse racing bettors, but it should be used with caution.