How Does A Double Bet Work In Horse Racing-Betpro Create Account

In horse racing, a double bet is a type of parimutuel wager that requires the bettor to select the winners of two consecutive races. This type of bet is also known as a “daily double” and is a popular way for bettors to increase the potential payout of their wagers by linking two races together.

Here’s how a double bet typically works:

1. **Selection**: The bettor must choose the horse they believe will win the first race and the horse they believe will win the second race. These selections can be from different tracks if the double is part of a multi-track betting option.

2. **Investment**: The bettor then places their bet on the double. The minimum bet amount for a double varies by track but is often $2.

3. **Payout**: To win a double bet, both selections must win their respective races. If both horses win, the bettor collects the entire pool of money bet on the double minus the track’s takeout (a percentage of the total pool that the track retains).

4. **Calculating Winnings**: The payout for a winning double bet is determined by the total amount of money bet into the double pool and the number of winning tickets. The more popular the double bet is, the larger the pool and potentially the larger the payout if you win.

5. **Risk**: Since a double bet requires two correct selections, it is riskier than betting on a single race. If either of the selected horses loses, the bettor loses their entire bet.

6. **Variations**: Some tracks offer “Late Double” bets, which involve the last two races on the card, or “Rolling Doubles,” where the double is on consecutive races starting at a certain point in the day.

It’s important to note that the odds for each race are calculated separately, and the double bet combines these odds to determine the potential payout. Bettors often use a variety of handicapping methods to try to predict the outcomes of both races to increase their chances of winning the double bet.