Every bet type available in UK horse racing — from the simple Win bet to complex combination bets like Lucky 15 and Heinz. Explained clearly with no jargon.
Updated 12 min readtypes of horse racing bets
The Core Bet Types
UK horse racing offers more bet types than almost any other sport. Understanding each one lets you match the right bet to the right race and field size.
Win
Your selection must finish first. The simplest bet in racing.
Each Way
Two bets in one — Win + Place. You profit if your selection wins or places (usually top 3–4 depending on field size).
Place
Your selection must finish in the top places (2nd, 3rd or 4th depending on race size). Lower risk, lower return.
Tote
Pool-based betting run by the Tote. Odds fluctuate until the race starts and are calculated from the pool, not fixed by a bookmaker.
Starting Price (SP)
The official odds at the moment the race starts, declared by the market. A common default bet type for ante-post markets.
Forecast
Predict the first and second horse in the correct order. Straight Forecast is in order; Reverse Forecast covers both orders.
Each-Way is the backbone of UK horse racing betting. When you place an Each-Way bet you are actually placing two separate bets of equal size:
Win bet — your horse must finish first
Place bet — your horse must finish in the places (top 2, 3 or 4 depending on field size and race type)
The place part of the bet pays at a fraction of the win odds — usually 1/4 odds for standard races or 1/5 odds for certain races (such as handicaps with 16+ runners).
Each-Way Place Terms by Field Size
Field Size
Places Paid
Odds Fraction
2–4 runners
Win only
—
5–7 runners
Top 2
1/4
8–15 runners
Top 3
1/4
16+ runners
Top 4
1/4
Handicaps 12–15
Top 3
1/4
Handicaps 16+
Top 4
1/5
Grand National
Top 5
1/4
Example: You back a horse Each-Way at 10/1 for £5 each way (total stake £10). It finishes 2nd in a 12-runner race. Win bet loses. Place bet returns: (10/1 ÷ 4) = 5/2 = £5 × 2.5 + £5 stake = £17.50 total return.
Tote Betting
The Tote (operated by Britbet in the UK) is a pool-based betting system. Instead of betting against a bookmaker, you bet into a shared pool with other punters.
How it works:
All stakes go into a pool
The Tote deducts its commission (typically 14–29% depending on the bet type)
The remainder is divided among winning tickets
Final odds are only known after the race
This means Tote odds fluctuate and are unknown at the time you place your bet. On big races with heavy public interest, the Tote can pay less than the SP. On quieter races, it can significantly outpay.
Combination Bets
Combination bets allow you to cover multiple selections in one bet slip, with your winnings rolling from one selection to the next.
Bet Name
Selections
Number of Bets
Minimum Winners
Trixie
3
4
2
Patent
3
7
1
Yankee
4
11
2
Lucky 15
4
15
1
Canadian
5
26
2
Lucky 31
5
31
1
Heinz
6
57
2
Lucky 63
6
63
1
Super Heinz
7
120
2
Goliath
8
247
2
The Lucky bets (Lucky 15, 31, 63) include singles, which means you get a return from just one winner. Many bookmakers also apply a consolation bonus — doubling the odds on a single winner or boosting returns when all selections win.
Forecast Bets
Forecast bets require you to correctly predict the first and second home in a race.
Straight Forecast — predict 1st and 2nd in the correct order
Reverse Forecast — covers both orders (2 bets)
Combination Forecast — select 3+ horses and cover all possible 1st/2nd combinations
Forecast returns are calculated using the Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) formula based on starting prices. They can return very large dividends when longer-priced horses fill the first two places.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular type of horse racing bet in the UK?
The Each-Way bet is by far the most popular in UK horse racing. It gives bettors a safety net — you win something even if your selection finishes 2nd or 3rd, making it ideal for long-priced horses in large fields.
How does Tote betting differ from regular bookmaker betting?
Tote betting uses a pool system. All bets on a race go into a pool, and the final odds are calculated by dividing the pool (minus Tote's commission) among winning tickets. Bookmakers fix odds themselves. Tote can pay out more than SP on big races; bookmakers always pay to fixed decimal or fractional odds.
What does Each Way mean in horse racing?
Each Way means you place two equal bets: one on your horse to win, one on it to place (finish in the top 2, 3, or 4 depending on race rules). The place part pays at a fraction of the win odds — typically 1/4 or 1/5 of the win price.
What is Starting Price (SP) in horse racing?
Starting Price is the official odds returned at the moment the race starts, as declared by SP reporters monitoring the on-course market. If you request SP when placing your bet, you get these odds rather than the price available when you placed it. SP is the default for many ante-post markets and betting exchanges.
How many bets are in a Lucky 15?
A Lucky 15 consists of 15 bets across 4 selections: 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 four-fold accumulator. Even if only one selection wins, you still get a return from that single. This makes it popular for each-way accumulators on weekend racing.
What is the difference between a Trixie and a Yankee?
A Trixie covers 3 selections in 4 bets (3 doubles + 1 treble). A Yankee covers 4 selections in 11 bets (6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 four-fold). You need at least 2 winners for a Trixie return, and at least 2 winners for a Yankee return.
What is a patent bet?
A Patent is 3 selections in 7 bets: 3 singles, 3 doubles and 1 treble. Unlike a Trixie, it includes singles so you get a return even if only one selection wins.
Can I bet on a horse to place only in the UK?
Yes. Place-only bets are available on betting exchanges (like Betfair) and from some bookmakers for major races. Place terms vary — typically top 2 for small fields, top 3 for fields of 8–15 runners, top 4 for fields of 16+ or handicaps.
What does "non-runner no bet" mean?
Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) means if one of your selections is withdrawn before the race, your bet is refunded rather than the non-runner rule being applied. It is commonly offered by bookmakers on ante-post markets.
What is a Rule 4 deduction?
Rule 4 is applied when a horse is withdrawn after the market has opened. A deduction is made from all winning bets based on the odds of the withdrawn horse — the shorter its odds, the larger the deduction. This compensates for the reduced field.
Is it better to take early prices or SP?
If you think a horse will shorten in the market (become more popular), take the early price. If you think it will drift (lengthen), requesting SP can return better odds. For big races, early prices from bookmakers often come with enhanced terms like better each-way places.
What is a Scoop6 or Placepot?
These are Tote pool bets. The Placepot requires you to pick a placed horse in each of the first 6 races at a meeting. The Scoop6 requires a winner in 6 selected races; the pool rolls over if not won. Both can return very large dividends from small stakes.
What is the difference between fractional and decimal odds?
Fractional odds (e.g. 5/1) are traditional in UK racing — they show profit relative to stake. Decimal odds (e.g. 6.0) show total return including stake. 5/1 fractional = 6.0 decimal. Most UK bookmakers now show both.
What is an accumulator in horse racing?
An accumulator (or 'acca') combines 4 or more selections into one bet. All must win for you to collect. The winnings from each leg roll into the next. High risk, potentially very high reward — a 6-horse acca at average 4/1 each returns over 15,000% profit on stake if all win.
What is a Heinz bet?
A Heinz covers 6 selections in 57 bets (15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds, 1 six-fold). Named after the 57 varieties slogan. You need at least 2 winners to see a return, and the full payout requires all 6 to win.
