PLAYING THE HORSES
Learning how to bet on the horses is key to long-term enjoyment at the track. Take a look at our how to play brochure, scan the info below, or attend one of our new to the races seminars.
Dowload the "How to Play the Horses" PDF
Canterbury College
This winter, we will be offering a free 5-week course for beginner and intermediate handicappers. Look for more information in January. Contact jmaday@canterburypark.com to register.
On Track help
DURING LIVE RACING SEASON ONLY: Be sure to listen to the Paddock Preview Show every race day 30 minutes before the first post. If it's your first time to the track, stop by our 1st floor information booth for assistance or to pick up our wagering brochures.
Online Fan Education Courses
NTRA weekly fan education seminars with expert hosts, Q&A sessions, multi-media presentations, and free downloadable handicapping materials. Join the conversation live at 7:30 PM on Tuesdays or browse the archive at any time. Click here to view the courses 
PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING
Pari-mutuel wagering means betting against each other. Unlike a casino, where players bet against the house, Canterbury Park acts as the broker for the transaction. Canterbury Park takes out a small percentage of money bet for the state, the horsemen and the track itself. Almost 80% of the money bet is returned to players with winning tickets. The number of winning tickets determines the size of the payout.
HOW TO PLACE YOUR BET
1. Name of the Racetrack
2. Race Number
3. Dollar Amount
4. Type of Bet
5. Horse Number
Example: “At Canterbury Park, race 4, $2 to win, on horse 5.”
TYPES OF BETS
Win: if your horse finishes 1st, you win.
Place: if your horse finishes 1st or 2nd, you win.
Show: if your horse finishes 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, you win.
Exacta: if you select the 1st & 2nd place horses, in the exact order they finish, you win.
Trifecta: if you select the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place horses, in the exact order they finish, you win.
Superfecta: if you select the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th place horses, in the exact order they finish, you win.
Daily Double: if you pick the winners of two consecutive races, you win.
Pick 3: if you select the winners of three consecutive, designated races, you win.
Pick 4: if you select winners of four consecutive, designated races, you win.
ODDS & PAYOFFS
|
WIN ODDS
|
WIN PAYOFFS
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WIN ODDS
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WIN PAYOFFS
|
|
1-9
|
$2.20
|
3
|
$8.00
|
|
1-5
|
$2.40
|
7-2
|
$9.00
|
|
2-5
|
$2.80
|
4
|
$10.00
|
|
1-2
|
$3.00
|
9-2
|
$11.00
|
|
3-5
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$3.20
|
5
|
$12.00
|
|
4-5
|
$3.60
|
6
|
$14.00
|
|
1
|
$4.00
|
7
|
$16.00
|
|
6-5
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$4.40
|
8
|
$18.00
|
|
7-5
|
$4.80
|
9
|
$20.00
|
|
3-2
|
$5.00
|
10
|
$22.00
|
|
8-5
|
$5.20
|
15
|
$32.00
|
|
9-5
|
$5.60
|
20
|
$42.00
|
|
2
|
$6.00
|
30
|
$62.00
|
|
5-2
|
$7.00
|
50
|
$102.00
|
WAGERING GUIDE
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TYPE OF WAGER
|
MIN WAGER AMOUNT
|
EASE OF WINNING
|
AVG. PAYOFF
|
DESCRIPTION
|
|
Show
|
$2
|
Easiest
|
$2- $4
|
Horse finishes 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, you win.
|
|
Place
|
$2
|
Easy
|
$3-$8
|
Horse finishes 1st or 2nd, you win.
|
|
Win
|
$2
|
Varies
|
$4-$40
|
Horse finishes 1st, you win.
|
|
Daily Doubles
|
$1
|
Varies
|
$10-$100
|
Pick the winners of two consecutive
races, you win.
|
|
Exacta
|
$1
|
Varies
|
$15-$150
|
Select the 1st & 2nd place horses, in
the exact order they finish, you win.
|
|
Trifecta
|
$.50
|
Hard
|
$50-$1,000
|
Select the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place horses, in the exact order they finish, you win.
|
|
Superfecta
|
$0.10
|
Harder
|
$10-$10,000
|
Select the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th place horses, in the exact order they finish, you win.
|
|
Pick Three
|
$1
|
Harder
|
$50-$1,000
|
Select the winners of three consecutive designated races, you win.
|
|
Pick Four
|
$0.50
|
Harder
|
$100-$2,000
|
Select the winners of four consecutive designated races, you win.
|