Pick 3’s let you bet on the winners of three consecutive races. They can be tough to get but the payoffs so we’ll explain how they work, why they’re worth a shot compared to regular bets, and give you some real-life examples so you know your way around them!
What’s a Pick 3 Horse Racing Bet?
As the name says, and just like other Pick Horse Racing Bets, placing a Pick 3 bet is all about choosing the winning horses for three consecutive races. It’s definitely a step up from the Daily Double since it requires you to predict three winners instead of just two, but the payout is also bigger.
Let’s say you’re placing a Pick 3 bet on three races (cards for each right below), and you decide to pick Thunder Bolt in Race 1, Speed Demon in Race 2, and Dark Shadow in Race 3.
These are your Horse Racing Cards:
Race Card for Race 1:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | 3-1 | M. Johnson | B. Lee |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Dark Thunder | 8-1 | K. Adams | F. Thompson |
Race Card for Race 2:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Lightning Strike | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
Race Card for Race 3:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
Payout Scenarios for this Pick 3 Bet:
Just like with say, a Pick 5 Horse Racing Bet, the final payout depends on the combination of horses that win the three races as well as how much money was bet in total for the race. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that you bet a couple of bucks, and this Pick 3 pool’s is at $30,000
| Race 1 Winner | Race 2 Winner | Race 3 Winner | Morning Line Odds | Hypothetical Pool Size | Total Amount Bet on This Combination | Payout per $2 Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | Speed Demon | Dark Shadow | 3-1, 7-2, 5-1 | $30,000 | $1,500 | $40.00 |
How to Place a Pick 3 Bet
As we mentioned before, you’re picking one or more horses in each race. Sounds simple enough, but you’ve got a couple of ways to go about it:
Single Ticket:
This is the “one horse per race” option. It’s the cheapest and easiest to place, but nailing it is tough because all your picks have to win.
Multiple Horses:
You can get a little more strategic here by picking multiple horses in one or more races. This bumps up your chances, but that also means each extra horse adds to the cost (Every combo counts as a separate bet).
By the way, these options are also valid for Pick 4 Horse Racing Bets, Pick 5 Horse Racing Bets and Pick 6 Horse Racing Bets
Horse Racing Jargon for Popular Pick 3 Bets
$1 Pick 3: ALL, 3, 4
This means any horse can win the first race, but horse #3 has to win the second race, and horse #4 has to win the third. If the first race has seven horses, this bet will cost $7.
How do you Calculate the Pick 3 Costs for a $1 Bet?
To figure out your cost, you multiply the number of horses you choose in each race by the base wager. For a $1 bet, the formula looks like this:
H x H x H x P
- H = Number of horses picked in each race
- P = $1 (your base bet amount)
So, if you pick 7 horses in the first race, 1 in the second (horse #3), and 1 in the third (horse #4), it’s:
7 x 1 x 1 x $1 = $7
You can still pick multiple horses in any leg, but the more you choose, the higher the cost. These bets can pay off, but keep an eye on your total cost so you don’t overdo it.
$1 Pick 3: 123 / 456 / 789
If you’re going for multiple horses in each race, here’s how it works for a $1 bet. If you pick horses 1, 2, or 3 in the first race, 4, 5, or 6 in the second, and 7, 8, or 9 in the third, your total bet would cost $27:
3 x 3 x 3 x $1 = $27
This bet wins if any of those horses win their respective races.
FAQs on Pick 3 Horse Racing Bets
What is a Pick 3 bet in horse racing?
A Pick 3 bet is a wager where you select the winners of three consecutive races. All three horses must win their respective races for the bet to pay out.
How does a Pick 3 payout work?
Pick 3 payouts are determined by the cumulative odds of the winning horses in all three races. If any of your selected horses don’t win, the bet is lost.
Can I box a Pick 3 bet?
No, you cannot box a Pick 3 bet. The horses you select must win in their respective races as chosen, with no variations allowed in the race order.
How much does a Pick 3 bet cost?
The cost of a Pick 3 bet depends on the number of horses you select for each race. The more horses you include in each race, the higher the cost of the bet.
Is a Pick 3 bet more difficult than a Daily Double?
Yes, a Pick 3 bet is generally harder to win than a Daily Double because it requires picking the winners of three consecutive races, rather than two.
Pick 3’s let you bet on the winners of three consecutive races. They can be tough to get but the payoffs so we’ll explain how they work, why they’re worth a shot compared to regular bets, and give you some real-life examples so you know your way around them!
What’s a Pick 3 Horse Racing Bet?
As the name says, and just like other Pick Horse Racing Bets, placing a Pick 3 bet is all about choosing the winning horses for three consecutive races. It’s definitely a step up from the Daily Double since it requires you to predict three winners instead of just two, but the payout is also bigger.
Let’s say you’re placing a Pick 3 bet on three races (cards for each right below), and you decide to pick Thunder Bolt in Race 1, Speed Demon in Race 2, and Dark Shadow in Race 3.
These are your Horse Racing Cards:
Race Card for Race 1:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | 3-1 | M. Johnson | B. Lee |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Dark Thunder | 8-1 | K. Adams | F. Thompson |
Race Card for Race 2:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Lightning Strike | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
Race Card for Race 3:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
Payout Scenarios for this Pick 3 Bet:
Just like with say, a Pick 5 Horse Racing Bet, the final payout depends on the combination of horses that win the three races as well as how much money was bet in total for the race. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that you bet a couple of bucks, and this Pick 3 pool’s is at $30,000
| Race 1 Winner | Race 2 Winner | Race 3 Winner | Morning Line Odds | Hypothetical Pool Size | Total Amount Bet on This Combination | Payout per $2 Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | Speed Demon | Dark Shadow | 3-1, 7-2, 5-1 | $30,000 | $1,500 | $40.00 |
How to Place a Pick 3 Bet
As we mentioned before, you’re picking one or more horses in each race. Sounds simple enough, but you’ve got a couple of ways to go about it:
Single Ticket:
This is the “one horse per race” option. It’s the cheapest and easiest to place, but nailing it is tough because all your picks have to win.
Multiple Horses:
You can get a little more strategic here by picking multiple horses in one or more races. This bumps up your chances, but that also means each extra horse adds to the cost (Every combo counts as a separate bet).
By the way, these options are also valid for Pick 4 Horse Racing Bets, Pick 5 Horse Racing Bets and Pick 6 Horse Racing Bets
Horse Racing Jargon for Popular Pick 3 Bets
$1 Pick 3: ALL, 3, 4
This means any horse can win the first race, but horse #3 has to win the second race, and horse #4 has to win the third. If the first race has seven horses, this bet will cost $7.
How do you Calculate the Pick 3 Costs for a $1 Bet?
To figure out your cost, you multiply the number of horses you choose in each race by the base wager. For a $1 bet, the formula looks like this:
H x H x H x P
- H = Number of horses picked in each race
- P = $1 (your base bet amount)
So, if you pick 7 horses in the first race, 1 in the second (horse #3), and 1 in the third (horse #4), it’s:
7 x 1 x 1 x $1 = $7
You can still pick multiple horses in any leg, but the more you choose, the higher the cost. These bets can pay off, but keep an eye on your total cost so you don’t overdo it.
$1 Pick 3: 123 / 456 / 789
If you’re going for multiple horses in each race, here’s how it works for a $1 bet. If you pick horses 1, 2, or 3 in the first race, 4, 5, or 6 in the second, and 7, 8, or 9 in the third, your total bet would cost $27:
3 x 3 x 3 x $1 = $27
This bet wins if any of those horses win their respective races.
FAQs on Pick 3 Horse Racing Bets
What is a Pick 3 bet in horse racing?
A Pick 3 bet is a wager where you select the winners of three consecutive races. All three horses must win their respective races for the bet to pay out.
How does a Pick 3 payout work?
Pick 3 payouts are determined by the cumulative odds of the winning horses in all three races. If any of your selected horses don’t win, the bet is lost.
Can I box a Pick 3 bet?
No, you cannot box a Pick 3 bet. The horses you select must win in their respective races as chosen, with no variations allowed in the race order.
How much does a Pick 3 bet cost?
The cost of a Pick 3 bet depends on the number of horses you select for each race. The more horses you include in each race, the higher the cost of the bet.
Is a Pick 3 bet more difficult than a Daily Double?
Yes, a Pick 3 bet is generally harder to win than a Daily Double because it requires picking the winners of three consecutive races, rather than two.
Pick 3’s let you bet on the winners of three consecutive races. They can be tough to get but the payoffs so we’ll explain how they work, why they’re worth a shot compared to regular bets, and give you some real-life examples so you know your way around them!
What’s a Pick 3 Horse Racing Bet?
As the name says, and just like other Pick Horse Racing Bets, placing a Pick 3 bet is all about choosing the winning horses for three consecutive races. It’s definitely a step up from the Daily Double since it requires you to predict three winners instead of just two, but the payout is also bigger.
Let’s say you’re placing a Pick 3 bet on three races (cards for each right below), and you decide to pick Thunder Bolt in Race 1, Speed Demon in Race 2, and Dark Shadow in Race 3.
These are your Horse Racing Cards:
Race Card for Race 1:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | 3-1 | M. Johnson | B. Lee |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Dark Thunder | 8-1 | K. Adams | F. Thompson |
Race Card for Race 2:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Lightning Strike | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
Race Card for Race 3:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
Payout Scenarios for this Pick 3 Bet:
Just like with say, a Pick 5 Horse Racing Bet, the final payout depends on the combination of horses that win the three races as well as how much money was bet in total for the race. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that you bet a couple of bucks, and this Pick 3 pool’s is at $30,000
| Race 1 Winner | Race 2 Winner | Race 3 Winner | Morning Line Odds | Hypothetical Pool Size | Total Amount Bet on This Combination | Payout per $2 Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | Speed Demon | Dark Shadow | 3-1, 7-2, 5-1 | $30,000 | $1,500 | $40.00 |
How to Place a Pick 3 Bet
As we mentioned before, you’re picking one or more horses in each race. Sounds simple enough, but you’ve got a couple of ways to go about it:
Single Ticket:
This is the “one horse per race” option. It’s the cheapest and easiest to place, but nailing it is tough because all your picks have to win.
Multiple Horses:
You can get a little more strategic here by picking multiple horses in one or more races. This bumps up your chances, but that also means each extra horse adds to the cost (Every combo counts as a separate bet).
By the way, these options are also valid for Pick 4 Horse Racing Bets, Pick 5 Horse Racing Bets and Pick 6 Horse Racing Bets
Horse Racing Jargon for Popular Pick 3 Bets
$1 Pick 3: ALL, 3, 4
This means any horse can win the first race, but horse #3 has to win the second race, and horse #4 has to win the third. If the first race has seven horses, this bet will cost $7.
How do you Calculate the Pick 3 Costs for a $1 Bet?
To figure out your cost, you multiply the number of horses you choose in each race by the base wager. For a $1 bet, the formula looks like this:
H x H x H x P
- H = Number of horses picked in each race
- P = $1 (your base bet amount)
So, if you pick 7 horses in the first race, 1 in the second (horse #3), and 1 in the third (horse #4), it’s:
7 x 1 x 1 x $1 = $7
You can still pick multiple horses in any leg, but the more you choose, the higher the cost. These bets can pay off, but keep an eye on your total cost so you don’t overdo it.
$1 Pick 3: 123 / 456 / 789
If you’re going for multiple horses in each race, here’s how it works for a $1 bet. If you pick horses 1, 2, or 3 in the first race, 4, 5, or 6 in the second, and 7, 8, or 9 in the third, your total bet would cost $27:
3 x 3 x 3 x $1 = $27
This bet wins if any of those horses win their respective races.
FAQs on Pick 3 Horse Racing Bets
What is a Pick 3 bet in horse racing?
A Pick 3 bet is a wager where you select the winners of three consecutive races. All three horses must win their respective races for the bet to pay out.
How does a Pick 3 payout work?
Pick 3 payouts are determined by the cumulative odds of the winning horses in all three races. If any of your selected horses don’t win, the bet is lost.
Can I box a Pick 3 bet?
No, you cannot box a Pick 3 bet. The horses you select must win in their respective races as chosen, with no variations allowed in the race order.
How much does a Pick 3 bet cost?
The cost of a Pick 3 bet depends on the number of horses you select for each race. The more horses you include in each race, the higher the cost of the bet.
Is a Pick 3 bet more difficult than a Daily Double?
Yes, a Pick 3 bet is generally harder to win than a Daily Double because it requires picking the winners of three consecutive races, rather than two.
Related Posts
Pick 3’s let you bet on the winners of three consecutive races. They can be tough to get but the payoffs so we’ll explain how they work, why they’re worth a shot compared to regular bets, and give you some real-life examples so you know your way around them!
What’s a Pick 3 Horse Racing Bet?
As the name says, and just like other Pick Horse Racing Bets, placing a Pick 3 bet is all about choosing the winning horses for three consecutive races. It’s definitely a step up from the Daily Double since it requires you to predict three winners instead of just two, but the payout is also bigger.
Let’s say you’re placing a Pick 3 bet on three races (cards for each right below), and you decide to pick Thunder Bolt in Race 1, Speed Demon in Race 2, and Dark Shadow in Race 3.
These are your Horse Racing Cards:
Race Card for Race 1:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | 3-1 | M. Johnson | B. Lee |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Dark Thunder | 8-1 | K. Adams | F. Thompson |
Race Card for Race 2:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Lightning Strike | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
Race Card for Race 3:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
Payout Scenarios for this Pick 3 Bet:
Just like with say, a Pick 5 Horse Racing Bet, the final payout depends on the combination of horses that win the three races as well as how much money was bet in total for the race. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that you bet a couple of bucks, and this Pick 3 pool’s is at $30,000
| Race 1 Winner | Race 2 Winner | Race 3 Winner | Morning Line Odds | Hypothetical Pool Size | Total Amount Bet on This Combination | Payout per $2 Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | Speed Demon | Dark Shadow | 3-1, 7-2, 5-1 | $30,000 | $1,500 | $40.00 |
How to Place a Pick 3 Bet
As we mentioned before, you’re picking one or more horses in each race. Sounds simple enough, but you’ve got a couple of ways to go about it:
Single Ticket:
This is the “one horse per race” option. It’s the cheapest and easiest to place, but nailing it is tough because all your picks have to win.
Multiple Horses:
You can get a little more strategic here by picking multiple horses in one or more races. This bumps up your chances, but that also means each extra horse adds to the cost (Every combo counts as a separate bet).
By the way, these options are also valid for Pick 4 Horse Racing Bets, Pick 5 Horse Racing Bets and Pick 6 Horse Racing Bets
Horse Racing Jargon for Popular Pick 3 Bets
$1 Pick 3: ALL, 3, 4
This means any horse can win the first race, but horse #3 has to win the second race, and horse #4 has to win the third. If the first race has seven horses, this bet will cost $7.
How do you Calculate the Pick 3 Costs for a $1 Bet?
To figure out your cost, you multiply the number of horses you choose in each race by the base wager. For a $1 bet, the formula looks like this:
H x H x H x P
- H = Number of horses picked in each race
- P = $1 (your base bet amount)
So, if you pick 7 horses in the first race, 1 in the second (horse #3), and 1 in the third (horse #4), it’s:
7 x 1 x 1 x $1 = $7
You can still pick multiple horses in any leg, but the more you choose, the higher the cost. These bets can pay off, but keep an eye on your total cost so you don’t overdo it.
$1 Pick 3: 123 / 456 / 789
If you’re going for multiple horses in each race, here’s how it works for a $1 bet. If you pick horses 1, 2, or 3 in the first race, 4, 5, or 6 in the second, and 7, 8, or 9 in the third, your total bet would cost $27:
3 x 3 x 3 x $1 = $27
This bet wins if any of those horses win their respective races.
FAQs on Pick 3 Horse Racing Bets
What is a Pick 3 bet in horse racing?
A Pick 3 bet is a wager where you select the winners of three consecutive races. All three horses must win their respective races for the bet to pay out.
How does a Pick 3 payout work?
Pick 3 payouts are determined by the cumulative odds of the winning horses in all three races. If any of your selected horses don’t win, the bet is lost.
Can I box a Pick 3 bet?
No, you cannot box a Pick 3 bet. The horses you select must win in their respective races as chosen, with no variations allowed in the race order.
How much does a Pick 3 bet cost?
The cost of a Pick 3 bet depends on the number of horses you select for each race. The more horses you include in each race, the higher the cost of the bet.
Is a Pick 3 bet more difficult than a Daily Double?
Yes, a Pick 3 bet is generally harder to win than a Daily Double because it requires picking the winners of three consecutive races, rather than two.
Pick 3’s let you bet on the winners of three consecutive races. They can be tough to get but the payoffs so we’ll explain how they work, why they’re worth a shot compared to regular bets, and give you some real-life examples so you know your way around them!
What’s a Pick 3 Horse Racing Bet?
As the name says, and just like other Pick Horse Racing Bets, placing a Pick 3 bet is all about choosing the winning horses for three consecutive races. It’s definitely a step up from the Daily Double since it requires you to predict three winners instead of just two, but the payout is also bigger.
Let’s say you’re placing a Pick 3 bet on three races (cards for each right below), and you decide to pick Thunder Bolt in Race 1, Speed Demon in Race 2, and Dark Shadow in Race 3.
These are your Horse Racing Cards:
Race Card for Race 1:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | 3-1 | M. Johnson | B. Lee |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Dark Thunder | 8-1 | K. Adams | F. Thompson |
Race Card for Race 2:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Lightning Strike | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
Race Card for Race 3:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
Payout Scenarios for this Pick 3 Bet:
Just like with say, a Pick 5 Horse Racing Bet, the final payout depends on the combination of horses that win the three races as well as how much money was bet in total for the race. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that you bet a couple of bucks, and this Pick 3 pool’s is at $30,000
| Race 1 Winner | Race 2 Winner | Race 3 Winner | Morning Line Odds | Hypothetical Pool Size | Total Amount Bet on This Combination | Payout per $2 Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | Speed Demon | Dark Shadow | 3-1, 7-2, 5-1 | $30,000 | $1,500 | $40.00 |
How to Place a Pick 3 Bet
As we mentioned before, you’re picking one or more horses in each race. Sounds simple enough, but you’ve got a couple of ways to go about it:
Single Ticket:
This is the “one horse per race” option. It’s the cheapest and easiest to place, but nailing it is tough because all your picks have to win.
Multiple Horses:
You can get a little more strategic here by picking multiple horses in one or more races. This bumps up your chances, but that also means each extra horse adds to the cost (Every combo counts as a separate bet).
By the way, these options are also valid for Pick 4 Horse Racing Bets, Pick 5 Horse Racing Bets and Pick 6 Horse Racing Bets
Horse Racing Jargon for Popular Pick 3 Bets
$1 Pick 3: ALL, 3, 4
This means any horse can win the first race, but horse #3 has to win the second race, and horse #4 has to win the third. If the first race has seven horses, this bet will cost $7.
How do you Calculate the Pick 3 Costs for a $1 Bet?
To figure out your cost, you multiply the number of horses you choose in each race by the base wager. For a $1 bet, the formula looks like this:
H x H x H x P
- H = Number of horses picked in each race
- P = $1 (your base bet amount)
So, if you pick 7 horses in the first race, 1 in the second (horse #3), and 1 in the third (horse #4), it’s:
7 x 1 x 1 x $1 = $7
You can still pick multiple horses in any leg, but the more you choose, the higher the cost. These bets can pay off, but keep an eye on your total cost so you don’t overdo it.
$1 Pick 3: 123 / 456 / 789
If you’re going for multiple horses in each race, here’s how it works for a $1 bet. If you pick horses 1, 2, or 3 in the first race, 4, 5, or 6 in the second, and 7, 8, or 9 in the third, your total bet would cost $27:
3 x 3 x 3 x $1 = $27
This bet wins if any of those horses win their respective races.
FAQs on Pick 3 Horse Racing Bets
What is a Pick 3 bet in horse racing?
A Pick 3 bet is a wager where you select the winners of three consecutive races. All three horses must win their respective races for the bet to pay out.
How does a Pick 3 payout work?
Pick 3 payouts are determined by the cumulative odds of the winning horses in all three races. If any of your selected horses don’t win, the bet is lost.
Can I box a Pick 3 bet?
No, you cannot box a Pick 3 bet. The horses you select must win in their respective races as chosen, with no variations allowed in the race order.
How much does a Pick 3 bet cost?
The cost of a Pick 3 bet depends on the number of horses you select for each race. The more horses you include in each race, the higher the cost of the bet.
Is a Pick 3 bet more difficult than a Daily Double?
Yes, a Pick 3 bet is generally harder to win than a Daily Double because it requires picking the winners of three consecutive races, rather than two.
Pick 3’s let you bet on the winners of three consecutive races. They can be tough to get but the payoffs so we’ll explain how they work, why they’re worth a shot compared to regular bets, and give you some real-life examples so you know your way around them!
What’s a Pick 3 Horse Racing Bet?
As the name says, and just like other Pick Horse Racing Bets, placing a Pick 3 bet is all about choosing the winning horses for three consecutive races. It’s definitely a step up from the Daily Double since it requires you to predict three winners instead of just two, but the payout is also bigger.
Let’s say you’re placing a Pick 3 bet on three races (cards for each right below), and you decide to pick Thunder Bolt in Race 1, Speed Demon in Race 2, and Dark Shadow in Race 3.
These are your Horse Racing Cards:
Race Card for Race 1:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | 3-1 | M. Johnson | B. Lee |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Dark Thunder | 8-1 | K. Adams | F. Thompson |
Race Card for Race 2:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Demon | 7-2 | P. Brown | D. Garcia |
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Lightning Strike | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
Race Card for Race 3:
| Horse | Morning Line Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Shadow | 5-1 | J. Doe | A. Smith |
| Wild Fire | 15-1 | L. Jones | E. Martinez |
| Stormy Skies | 10-1 | S. Williams | C. Davis |
Payout Scenarios for this Pick 3 Bet:
Just like with say, a Pick 5 Horse Racing Bet, the final payout depends on the combination of horses that win the three races as well as how much money was bet in total for the race. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that you bet a couple of bucks, and this Pick 3 pool’s is at $30,000
| Race 1 Winner | Race 2 Winner | Race 3 Winner | Morning Line Odds | Hypothetical Pool Size | Total Amount Bet on This Combination | Payout per $2 Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | Speed Demon | Dark Shadow | 3-1, 7-2, 5-1 | $30,000 | $1,500 | $40.00 |
How to Place a Pick 3 Bet
As we mentioned before, you’re picking one or more horses in each race. Sounds simple enough, but you’ve got a couple of ways to go about it:
Single Ticket:
This is the “one horse per race” option. It’s the cheapest and easiest to place, but nailing it is tough because all your picks have to win.
Multiple Horses:
You can get a little more strategic here by picking multiple horses in one or more races. This bumps up your chances, but that also means each extra horse adds to the cost (Every combo counts as a separate bet).
By the way, these options are also valid for Pick 4 Horse Racing Bets, Pick 5 Horse Racing Bets and Pick 6 Horse Racing Bets
Horse Racing Jargon for Popular Pick 3 Bets
$1 Pick 3: ALL, 3, 4
This means any horse can win the first race, but horse #3 has to win the second race, and horse #4 has to win the third. If the first race has seven horses, this bet will cost $7.
How do you Calculate the Pick 3 Costs for a $1 Bet?
To figure out your cost, you multiply the number of horses you choose in each race by the base wager. For a $1 bet, the formula looks like this:
H x H x H x P
- H = Number of horses picked in each race
- P = $1 (your base bet amount)
So, if you pick 7 horses in the first race, 1 in the second (horse #3), and 1 in the third (horse #4), it’s:
7 x 1 x 1 x $1 = $7
You can still pick multiple horses in any leg, but the more you choose, the higher the cost. These bets can pay off, but keep an eye on your total cost so you don’t overdo it.
$1 Pick 3: 123 / 456 / 789
If you’re going for multiple horses in each race, here’s how it works for a $1 bet. If you pick horses 1, 2, or 3 in the first race, 4, 5, or 6 in the second, and 7, 8, or 9 in the third, your total bet would cost $27:
3 x 3 x 3 x $1 = $27
This bet wins if any of those horses win their respective races.
FAQs on Pick 3 Horse Racing Bets
What is a Pick 3 bet in horse racing?
A Pick 3 bet is a wager where you select the winners of three consecutive races. All three horses must win their respective races for the bet to pay out.
How does a Pick 3 payout work?
Pick 3 payouts are determined by the cumulative odds of the winning horses in all three races. If any of your selected horses don’t win, the bet is lost.
Can I box a Pick 3 bet?
No, you cannot box a Pick 3 bet. The horses you select must win in their respective races as chosen, with no variations allowed in the race order.
How much does a Pick 3 bet cost?
The cost of a Pick 3 bet depends on the number of horses you select for each race. The more horses you include in each race, the higher the cost of the bet.
Is a Pick 3 bet more difficult than a Daily Double?
Yes, a Pick 3 bet is generally harder to win than a Daily Double because it requires picking the winners of three consecutive races, rather than two.
