Win Place Show betting combines three of horse racing’s most common bets: win, place and show. The following tutorial explains Win Place Show betting or “Across the Board” betting. Also, how to place individual win, place or show bets.
Win Place Show betting gives horse players multiple opportunities to win. Their horse must finish third or higher to collect a payout. Horses that finish first payout the most.
The following video clip explains how to place these bets. Watch the entire video for other horse bets.
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First, let’s define and explain each bet.
Win, Place & Show Bets Explained
Payouts: Final amounts depend on each horse’s odds. Longshot horses pay more than heavy favorites. Refer to your online sportsbook’s racebook page. Look at the tote board if you’re at a racetrack. Off track betting odds will be posted prominently inside the teletheater.
Win Bet
The Win bet is picking the horse that finishes first. Win bets on longshot horses will pay more than heavy favorites.
Cost: $2
Place Bet
The Place bet is picking the horse that finishes second. The bet also pays if your horse finishes first.
Cost: $2
Show Bet
The Show bet is picking the horse that finishes third. The bet also pays if your horse finishes first or second.
Cost: $2
Next, on to the “Win Place Show” Bet itself.
Win Place Show Betting Explained
Also called “Across the Board” betting.
Combine a win, place and show bet on the same horse into one bet.
Some horse bettors place Across the Board bets on multiple horses.
The bet pays the most if your horse finishes first. You would collect on all 3 bets. The bet pays the least if your horse finishes third. You would only collect on your show bet and lose your win and place bets.
Cost: $6 (3 bets x $2)
| Horse Finishes |
Winning Bets |
Losing Bets |
|---|---|---|
| First | Win,Place,Show | None |
| Second | Place,Show | Win |
| Third | Show | Win,Place |
| Fourth or worse |
None | All |
How to Place a Win Place Show Bet
- Horses will be listed on the left. The next "ML" column contains the odds.
- Click each checkbox in the bet column that corresponds to your horse. In this example, the bettor has chosen Atiello with 6/1 odds to Win. Make sure to click Atiello’s boxes for Place and Show to complete the wager.
- Follow this procedure for other horses. Click the checkbox corresponding to each horse and wager.
- Notes: You can pick multiple horses for each bet type. These additional wagers cost more money.
Win, Place, Show Payout Example
Next, we’ll take a look at a sample Win, Place, and Show payout chart, based on the 2010 Preakness Stakes.
In this particular race, Lookin at Lucky won, followed by First Dude and Jackson Bend. So, based on our definitions of Win, Place, and Show, we have the following results table:
| Horse | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lookin At Lucky | $6.80 | $4.60 | $3.80 |
| First Dude | N/A | $16.60 | $9.20 |
| Jackson Bend | N/A | N/A | $6.60 |
How to Read Win Place Show Payout
Lookin at Lucky
- Pays $6.80 for first (WIN)
- $4.60 for second or first (PLACE)
- $3.80 for third, second, or first (SHOW)
First Dude
- Pays $16.60 for second or first (PLACE)
- $9.20 for third, second, or first (SHOW)
Jackson Bend
- Pays $6.60 for third, second, or first (SHOW)
Odds Matter
Note the odds on each horse.
Based on the table above, Lookin at Lucky was a favorite, hence the single digit payouts.
First Dude was more of a long shot. That explains the double digit Place payout.
Finally, Jackson Bend. He was considered less likely to win than Lookin At Lucky, but more than First Dude. His show payout is between Lookin at Lucky’s and First Dude’s Show payouts.
The longer the odds, the higher the potential payout!
What is Virtual Horse Racing?
Virtual horse racing is betting on a simulated horse race. Like real life, sportsbooks assign odds to each computer-generated horse. Horse players bet as if they were at the racetrack.