Whats An Exacta Bet

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An Exacta consists of picking two runners to place first and second in the correct order. You can select as many runners as you want and make it a boxed Exacta, or also pick a standout for first or second. What is exacta wheel betting? Another way to place an exacta bet is to use an exacta wheel, also known as an exacta key or simple 'key.' An exacta wheel is constructed by picking your favorite horse,.

  • An exacta bet is a common horse racing wager that requires you to pick the top two finishers of a race in the correct order. Sometimes referred to as a perfecta bet, an exacta is a step further than a traditional.
  • If you can’t decide between the #1 and #2 to win the race you can play an Exacta key using both on top of your ticket. If you also think that the #3,#4 have chances to land in the Exacta, a good way to play the race would be: A $2 Exacta.
  • With an Exacta Box you will win your bet if the horses you pick finish in first and second place in either order with as many horses as you wish. The minimum amount that can be wagered is $1 per.

The best ways to wager on exactas and the proper strategy.

An Exacta Wager (or in some areas it is called a Perfecta) involves picking two horses that you believe will finish first and second. Because you must select two horses, this wager is generally harder to hit than a straight wager, but usually pays greater dividends when you do hit it. Let’s talk about exacta wagering.

A common way to play an Exacta would be a $2 Exacta box. If you liked the #1 and #2 horse, a $2 Exacta box would cost $4. If those two horses ran first and second in either order, you win.

If you like the #1 horse to beat the #2 horse, you can play a $2 Exacta straight #1-#2 for $2, but remember it must come in exactly as played. As you get more familiar with wagering there are a number of different ways to play exactas.

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If you like the #1 to win and can’t decide between the #2,#3 or #4 horse to finish second, you can play a $2 Exacta key of #1 over #2,#3,#4. The cost of this wager would be $6. As long as the #1 wins and either the #2,#3, or #4 runs second, you have hit the Exacta!

The Exacta Key

If you can’t decide between the #1 and #2 to win the race you can play an Exacta key using both on top of your ticket. If you also think that the #3,#4 have chances to land in the Exacta, a good way to play the race would be:

A $2 Exacta key #1,#2 over #1,#2,#3,#4. This wager would cost $12 and would hit as long as either the #1 or #2 won the race, and any of your four contenders finished in the runner-up spot.

Exacta payoffs can vary greatly. If your two contenders are the favorites in the race it could pay less than $10, or in a larger field could return $35 or more. Find a couple of longshots that both finish in the Exacta and the payoff could be over $1,000.

What Is An Exacta Key Bet

Most tote boards have probable payoffs, as do the television monitors at the track. Some online tote boards also show probable payoffs.

Bet

Before getting too fancy with Exacta keys and using multiple horses in the two slots, get familiar with the types of payoffs you can expect to receive if you win.

Horse Racing Betting Explained

What Is An Exacta Key Box Bet

The Exacta Wheel bet is picking sets of horses to finish in first and second position. This bet improves your chances of winning because 1 or more horses can be chosen to finish in each position.

What Is A Exacta Bet

Exacta

Difference between Exacta Wheel and Exacta Box Bets?
Exacta Wheel betting requires a specific order from 2 sets of horses. Exacta box betting requires any order of 3 or more horses.

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The Exacta Key Concept

The following video explains how to place this bet. The steps are the same for Exacta, Trifecta and Superfecta. Rewind the video to review each straight bet.


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Keying means selecting a set of horses to finish in a certain position. Exactas are for first and second position. That means 2 keys must be made for each Exacta Wheel.

Start with the first position key. Select 1 or more horses. For example, suppose horses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 are racing.

What Is An Exacta Horse Bet

Example 1st Key: Horses 4 & 1

That means horses 4 or 1 must finish first. You can only win if 4 or 1 finish first.

Example 2nd Key: Horses 2, 5, 6

Exacta Betting Box

That means horses 2, 5 or 6 must finish second. You can only win if horses 2, 5 or 6 finish second.

Example Winning combinations. Key 1 Horses 4 & 1. Key 2 Horses 2, 5 or 6
Finishing OrderResult
4,2Win
4,5Win
4,6Win
1,2Win
1,5Win
1,6Win
Example Losing combinations. Key 1 Horses 4 & 1. Key 2 Horses 2, 5 or 6
Finishing OrderResultWhy?
6,4LoseHorse 6 from second key. Horse 4 from first key.
5,1LoseHorse 5 from second key. Horse 1 from first key.
3,5LoseHorse 3 not in first key. Horse 5 correct.
4,1LoseHorse 4 correct. Horse 1 not in second key.
2,6LoseHorse 2 not in first key. Horse 6 correct.

Exacta Wheel Bets Cost $2 Per Combination

Consider the following examples. We’ve keyed horses into the first and second position positions. Exacta Wheel cost is $2 multiplied by total number of combinations.

Exacta Wheel Cost Calculation: ( (Number first key horses x Number second key horses) – (Number horses found in both keys) ) x (Cost per combination)

Example 1: Exacta Part Wheel

Horses 12 and 7 are your first key.
Horses 8, 4 and 13 are your second key.
0 horses are found in both keys.
( (2 horses x 3 horses) – (0 horses in both keys)) x $2 cost = $12

What Is An Exacta Key Box Bet

5 Horse Exacta Wheel Combinations. 2 horse first key. 3 horse second key.
Finishing OrderCost Each
12,8$2
12,4$2
12,13$2
7,8$2
7,4$2
7,13$2
Total Cost$12
What is an exacta box bet

Example 2: Exacta Full Wheel (1,2 – ALL)

Horses 1 and 2 are your first key.
Horses 3,4,5,6,7,8 are your second key.
( (2 horses x 6 horses) – (0 horses both keys) ) x (Cost per combination)

8 Horse Exacta Wheel Combinations. 2 unique horse first key. 6 unique horse second key
Finishing OrderCost Each
1,3$2
1,4$2
1,5$2
1,6$2
1,7$2
1,8$2
2,3$2
2,4$2
2,5$2
2,6$2
2,7$2
2,8$2
Total Cost$24
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Exacta Betting Cost Tables

Exacta Wheel Cost Calculation: ( (Number first key horses x Number second key horses) – (Number horses found in both keys) ) x (Cost per combination)

Exacta Wheel Costs, $2 Per Combination
Key 1 HorsesKey 2 HorsesTotal
12$4
13$6
14$8
15$10
16$12
17$14
18$16
22$8
23$12
24$16
25$20
26$24
27$28
28$32
32$12
33$18
34$24
35$30
36$36
37$42
38$48
42$16
43$24
44$32
45$40
46$48
47$56
48$64
52$20
53$30
54$40
55$50
56$60
57$70
58$80
62$24
63$36
64$48
65$60
66$72
67$84
68$96
72$28
73$42
74$56
75$70
76$84
77$98
78$112
82$32
83$48
84$64
85$80
86$96
87$112
88$128

Exacta Bets In Horse Racing


See Also
Exacta Betting
Exacta Box Betting
Quinella Betting