Exacta and Trifecta bets are two of the most popular forms of horse racing wagers. Both involve picking the first and second place finishers in a race, but with a Trifecta bet, you must also select the third-place finisher. So the question is: which is better, exacta or trifecta? In this article, we’ll take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of both wagers to help you decide which one is the best for you.
What is an exacta bet?
An exacta bet is a wager in which you must pick the first and second place finishers in a horse race in the exact order they finish. If your picks come in first and second in the correct order, you win the bet. An exacta bet is a fairly straightforward wager and is a good option for those who are new to horse racing betting.
What is a trifecta bet?
A trifecta bet is similar to an exacta bet, but instead of just picking the first and second place finishers in a race, you must also pick the third-place finisher. This means that you must pick the top three finishers in the exact order they finish. If your picks come in first, second, and third in the correct order, you win the bet. A trifecta bet is a bit more difficult than an exacta, but it can be a profitable wager if you can correctly pick the top three finishers in a race.
Benefits of Exacta Betting
- Easier to Win: The biggest benefit of an exacta bet is that it is easier to win than a trifecta bet. With an exacta, you only have to pick the first and second place finishers in the correct order, which can be a bit easier than picking the top three finishers in the correct order.
- Lower Risk: Exacta bets are also lower risk than trifecta bets. Since you only have to pick two horses in the correct order, there is less chance of a long shot coming in and ruining your bet.
- Lower Cost: Exacta bets also tend to be cheaper than trifecta bets. Depending on the track, exacta bets can cost as little as $2, whereas trifecta bets can cost upwards of $10.
Benefits of Trifecta Betting
- Higher Payouts: The biggest benefit of a trifecta bet is that it can pay off more than an exacta bet. If you correctly pick the top three finishers in the correct order, you can win big.
- More Exciting: Trifecta bets are also more exciting than exacta bets. With a trifecta, there is a greater chance of long shots coming in and paying off, which makes the race more exciting to watch.
- More Variety: Trifecta bets also offer more variety than exacta bets. You can bet on a variety of combinations, such as “boxed” trifectas, which allow you to pick the top three finishers in any order.
Drawbacks of Exacta Betting
- Lower Payouts: The biggest drawback of exacta betting is that the payouts are usually lower than trifecta bets. If you correctly pick the top two finishers in the correct order, you won’t win as much as if you had picked the top three finishers in the correct order.
- Less Exciting: Exacta bets can also be less exciting than trifecta bets. Since you only have to pick the first and second place finishers in the correct order, there is less chance of long shots coming in and paying off.
Drawbacks of Trifecta Betting
- Higher Risk: The biggest drawback of trifecta betting is that it is higher risk than exacta betting. Since you have to pick the top three finishers in the correct order, there is a greater chance of a long shot coming in and ruining your bet.
- More Expensive: Trifecta bets also tend to be more expensive than exacta bets. Depending on the track, trifecta bets can cost upwards of $10, whereas exacta bets can cost as little as $2.
- Harder to Win: Trifecta bets are also harder to win than exacta bets. With a trifecta, you must pick the top three finishers in the correct order, which can be challenging.
Which is Better?
Ultimately, the decision of whether to bet on an exacta or a trifecta comes down to your personal preference. If you are looking for a lower risk wager with lower cost and lower payouts, an exacta bet may be the better option for you. However, if you are looking for a more exciting wager with higher payouts, a trifecta bet may be your best bet.
Conclusion
Exacta and trifecta bets are both popular forms of horse racing wagers. An exacta bet involves picking the first and second place finishers in a race in the exact order they finish, while a trifecta bet involves picking the first, second, and third place finishers in the exact order they finish. Both wagers have their own benefits and drawbacks, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference as to which one is better.