Exacta betting is a popular form of horse racing wagering that can be lucrative for those who know how to pick the correct horses. A common strategy is to “box” multiple horses in an exacta wager. This means that regardless of which two horses finish first and second, the bettor still wins. The most common type of box bet is the $1 exacta box with four horses. So, how much does it cost to box four horses in an exacta wager?
What is an Exacta Wager?
Before discussing the cost of an exacta box, it’s important to understand what an exacta wager is and how it works. An exacta wager requires the bettor to pick the two horses that will finish first and second in the order they will finish. If the bettor picks the correct two horses in the right order, they win the wager. If the bettor picks the two horses in the wrong order, they lose.
Exacta wagers can be made with a minimum bet of $2, but for those who are looking for more value, it can be beneficial to “box” multiple horses. This means that regardless of which two horses finish first and second, the bettor still wins.
The Cost of a $1 Exacta Box with Four Horses
A $1 exacta box with four horses is a bet that requires the bettor to pick four horses that could finish first and second in any order. The cost of the wager is based on the number of possible combinations of two horses out of the four that were selected. To calculate the cost of the exacta box, you must multiply the number of horses selected (four) by the number of horses selected minus one (three). This gives you 12 possible combinations. To calculate the cost of the wager, you must then multiply the number of combinations (12) by the bet amount ($1). This gives you a total wager cost of $12.
For example, if the bettor selected horses A, B, C, and D in the exacta box, the bettor would win if either of the following combinations finished first and second: A/B, A/C, A/D, B/C, B/D, or C/D.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of a $1 Exacta Box with Four Horses
The main advantage of a $1 exacta box with four horses is that it gives the bettor more value for their money. The bettor can pick four horses that they think have a chance to finish first and second in any order and still win the wager. This gives the bettor more flexibility and increases their chances of winning.
The main disadvantage of the $1 exacta box with four horses is that it can be expensive. The cost of the wager is $12, which is much higher than a traditional $2 exacta wager. It is also important to note that the bettor still only wins if the two horses that finish first and second are the ones that were selected. If any other combination of horses finishes first and second, the bettor will lose the wager.
Conclusion
A $1 exacta box with four horses is a popular way to bet on horse races. It gives the bettor more value for their money by allowing them to pick four horses that could finish first and second in any order and still win the wager. The cost of the wager is $12, which is much higher than a traditional $2 exacta wager. It is important to remember that the bettor still only wins if the two horses that finish first and second are the ones that were selected.