It’s a big suspense to feel like we actually play a part in the Kentucky Derby as a bettor, particularly picking up your bucks after rooting for the triumphant horse. But for most of us, it’s just not practical to travel to Louisville, so placing our bets online is the only way to go.
Kinds of Bets
If you’re a Kentucky Derby newbie, you can choose from three types of bets, whether you plan to bet online or on-site:
Win
This is pretty simple – your chosen horse should win before you get paid.
Place
Winning this bet requires that your selected horse finish in the top 2.
Show
To win this bet, your horse should finish the race at Number 1, Number 2 or Number 3.
Payouts and Factors That Affect Them
The payouts you get depend not only on the amount of in the pot, but also on how difficult it is for you to win. Clearly, the most attractive payouts go to those who made Win bets, while the least are for those who made Show bets.
Raising the Stakes
For added thrills betting the Kentucky Derby, venture into less common bets. Maybe you are very attracted to more than one horse but can’t select one. If so, go for an EXACTA bet. This type of bet essentially predicts which horses will finish Number 1 and Number 2, and if you get it right, you can get a huge payout. If you’re not certain you can get this right, you can box your bet and increase your odds. You will pay twice the amount for this, but either of your two selected horses can end in the top 2. If you are confident about making predictions, go for a TRIFECTA bet. With this, you will be guessing which horses are going to finish Number 1, Number 2 and Number 3. Lastly, you can go for a SUPERFECTA, in which you guess which four winning horses are going to finish in the top 4.
Picking a Bet
There’s no need to be a pro handicapper when placing a Kentucky Derby bet. But certainly, the more educated you are about the event, the better your total experience will be as a bettor. If you’re an amateur handicapper who wants to win some big cash, remember not to get too overwhelmed by contenders placing big bets. Keep in mind that this is no more than a game, so don’t go overboard. Have fun with it and be wise as possible with your bets, relying on what your knowledge tells you.