{"id":383801,"date":"2023-09-25T15:09:06","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T15:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/?post_type=definition&p=383801"},"modified":"2025-02-20T15:09:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T15:09:54","slug":"exacta-bet","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/exacta-bet","title":{"rendered":"What is an Exacta Bet? Complete Guide to Exacta Betting"},"content":{"rendered":"

An exacta bet is one of several exotics that can be used when betting on horse racing. The bet is extremely popular due to the possibility of winning large sums of money from a relatively small outlay. In this guide, we’ll answer what is an exacta bet, how the bet type works, and what betting strategies you can apply to making your betting more profitable.<\/p>\n

What is an Exacta Bet?<\/span><\/h2>\n

An exacta bet is where you must pick the two horses in a race that finish in 1st<\/sup> and 2nd<\/sup> place, in the correct order. You need the horses to finish in exactly these positions to win the bet, and any other combination, or incorrect order, means the bet will lose.<\/p>\n

The popularity of the bet stems from the large potential payouts on offer. It works great within a range of different races, from flat to National Hunt (jumps). Most of the larger racebooks and horse racing betting sites<\/a> will provide exacta betting options on all races hosted on the site.<\/p>\n

Exacta Bet Example for Horse Racing<\/span><\/h2>\n

As part of our guide to describe an exacta bet, we’ll walk you through a real-world example of how it works and what to look out for.<\/p>\n

\"Exacta<\/p>\n

The race we’re using is from the Mountaineer racetrack in West Virginia. As you can see, this is the first race of the meeting, has nine runners, and is run over eight furlongs.<\/p>\n

To find the exacta markets, click on the \u201cExacta\u201d tab at the top. It highlights the brief rules of each of the bets in this race and states \u201c1st<\/sup> and 2nd<\/sup>\u201d here. This means you need to choose the horse that’ll finish 1st<\/sup> and 2nd<\/sup>, in the correct order.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve kept it simple and chosen the two joint-favorites for the race in Mystified and Clear For Action. Both horses are priced at 5\/2 (+250), and we\u2019ve picked Mystified to win, and Clear for Action to finish 2nd<\/sup>. Remember, we need the correct order of the two horses for the bet to win.<\/p>\n

At the bottom of the page is the bet slip, which states the amount we’ll win if our bet is successful. In this example, a $1 bet would return $48.10. The next step is to confirm the bet and place it.<\/p>\n

The betting odds<\/a> will change depending on the horses you pick and the order you pick them in. If we changed the winning horse from Mystified to Palace Prince, keeping Clear For Action in 2nd<\/sup> place, our return would jump to $61.80 from a $1 bet. Small changes to betting lines can have a massive impact on the returns for this market.<\/p>\n

How to Place an Exacta Bet Online<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now that we’ve explained what an exacta bet is, let’s walk you through how to place one. In this example, we’ll use BetOnline. While the process may vary slightly across different platforms, the general steps remain the same.<\/p>\n

1. Register an account<\/h3>\n

Once you land on the BetOnline racebook, click the \u201cJoin now\u201d button at the bottom of the page. You can also register an account via their mobile betting app if you\u2019d prefer.<\/p>\n

\"BetOnline<\/p>\n

2. Enter account information<\/h3>\n

To set up your account, you’ll be prompted to enter account information, including name, email address, phone number, address, and date of birth. You’ll need to confirm all of this information to verify your account. Supporting documents include bank statements, driver’s licenses, and passports.<\/p>\n

\"BetOnline<\/p>\n

3. Log in and deposit<\/h3>\n

After completing the verification process, log in and click the cashier button at the top of the page. This highlights all of the payment options you\u2019re eligible to use. Depending on your state will affect the range of options available to you.<\/p>\n

4. Find a race<\/h3>\n

Head to the main racebook and choose from any of the races on this page. You can use the \u201cPopular Races\u201d section or the \u201cRaces Starting Soon\u201d for a more complete selection. Click on the race you want to bet on to pull up the race card.<\/p>\n

5. Place an exacta bet<\/h3>\n

\"Exacta<\/p>\n

At the top of the racecard is a list of markets you can bet on. Choose the \u201cExacta\u201d tab. From the list of horses racing, choose the one you want to come in 1st<\/sup> place, and 2nd<\/sup>. At the bottom of the page, your picks will be added to your bet slip. Confirm the picks, choose your stake, and place the bet.<\/p>\n

Types of Exacta Bets<\/span><\/h2>\n

A standard exacta bet involves picking two horses to finish first and second in the correct order. Several variations of the bet tweak how the market works. This section outlines those bets\u00a0and how they differ from the standard bet.<\/p>\n