It can be fun to bet a few dollars on horse races, and these days you don’t even need to be near a track. Before you put down any money, here 10 terms you absolutely must know and a few websites you can go to for horse racing online.
Terminology
- Across the Board: This term is used when you bet on a horse to win, place, and show. If the horse gets first place, you’ll collect in all three ways. If the horse places second or third, you’ll receive less and less.
- Apprentice Jockey: A jockey who has raced for less than two years or fewer than 40 winners since first being licensed. The jockey may not have as much experience as one who has been licensed much longer.
- Furlong: While this term isn’t widely used anymore, it is frequently used in horse racing. A furlong is 220 yards or 1/8 of a mile.
- Bearing In/Out: When a horse deviates from its course due to weariness, infirmity, or the rider’s inability to control the horse.
- Parimutuel: A type of wagering that was popular in France but now is used at many horse tracks. All the money wagered is divided among the winning tickets after taxes and other deductions are taken out.
- Conditions Race: When the requirements differ from the average race. These conditions can be very specific, such as including only the non-winners from the last two races. They could also be based on age, sex, weight carried, and other factors. The terms are explained before the race begins.
- Graduate: A graduate horse or rider is one who has won for the first time. Graduating allows the horse to move up in allowance, stakes, or handicap in races.
- Handicapping: Handicapping is when the horse carries a different weight than others in the race. For example, a horse may be heavier, giving it a disadvantage when racing against slower horses, so it would carry less weight.
- Minus Pool: This term is used when a horse is played so much that after all of the fees and commission is taken out, there isn’t enough money left over to pay the minimum on each winning bet. The difference is usually paid out by the racing association.
- Rabbit: A rabbit is a horse with little chance of winning but that is entered along with another horse. Its purpose is to set a fast pace in order to tire out competitors so the other horse can come up from behind. This practice is a way of softening the competition.
Trustworthy Horse Race Betting Websites
Some betting websites use unscrupulous business practices to swindle users, making it difficult to know which websites you can trust. Here are some of the “top bets” for online gambling.
Bovada
Bovada is one of the most trustworthy gambling websites on the internet. Not only can you get sign-up bonuses, but you can also get extra money from playing certain games or participating in tournaments. Bovada is owned by Mohawk Morris Gaming Group—a casino that has been operating since 1998. Not only are there exciting horse races but also poker and other casino games.
Bet Online
Bet Online is another website with fantastic sign-on bonuses. This website has been operating since 2001 but was a casino long before the site was launched. The company works on making the player feel valued with unique games, bonuses, and an enjoyable platform. Bet Online has many racebooks open for you to browse with an easy drop-down menu. It informs you of the jockey, the odds, and the purse with a simple click of the mouse.
Real Bet
Real Bet may be one of the newest websites on the market, but it’s one of the best. The site is well financed and has worked hard to provide a safe and trustworthy atmosphere for its players. Horse betting isn’t the only sport you can bet on through this website. You can also bet on baseball, boxing, NASCAR, and more. In addition, Real Bet has great easy-to-find promotions that give you extra money by typing in a quick code. It’s as easy as that!
