If you are new to racing and betting, follow these easy steps to enjoy a ‘flutter’ at the races.

1. Look through the Racecard, the Racing Post or any national paper to select which horse you fancy.

2. Decide whether you want to bet ‘To Win’ (the horse has to finish first) or ‘Each Way’ (the horse must be ‘placed’ - finish in the first two, three or four, depending on how many runners there are in the race). ‘Each Way’ is twice the cost, as you are placing one bet on the horse to win and another bet on the horse to be placed.

3. Choose from the three different ways to place a bet at Ascot: the tote, Betting Shops and the Betting Ring.

Understanding Betting

Each Way
A bet consisting of two wagers. The first is for the selection to win, and the second is for the selection to be placed (come in second, third, or fourth – depending on how many there are in the race).

Favourite
The horse considered most likely to win, and therefore having the shortest or lowest odds.

Forecast
A bet that involves correctly predicting the first and second past the post in a race. This bet can be reversed – this is referred to as a Reverse Forecast, or Reverse Exacta with the tote.

Form
The past performances of a horse, used to give an indication of its current chances.

Handicap
A method of placing weights under jockeys’ saddles to even up the chances for every horse in the field and make the race as competitive as possible.

Odds
The potential winnings offered by a bookmaker, based on their view of the horse’s chance of winning.

Odds-On
When a horse is strongly fancied, the odds are less than evens. For example, a horse may be quoted at “2-to-1 on”, or 1/2. This means that for every £2 you put on the horse, you will get £1 back plus your stake.

Starting Price or SP
Unless you state otherwise, all bets with betting shop bookmakers are settled at the Starting Price (SP). Bets placed in the ring will be settled at the fixed odds that are displayed at the time the bet is struck. The SP is the average price in the betting ring as the race starts. The tote will declare a return at which all bets are settled, similar to the SP.

Stake
The amount of money you place on a bet.

Where to Place Your Bet

Betting with Totepool

. Totepool kiosks are situated throughout the racecourse with decimal odds displayed on screen.
. A range of Totepool bets are available on each race with multi-race bets also on offer.
. Win (1st pass the post), Each Way, Exacta (1st and 2nd) and Trifecta (1st, 2nd and 3rd) are available on every race.
. The Placepot is the most popular bet where all you need is a placed horse in the first six races. You can even win without backing a winner.
How Totepool Betting Works
With Totepool you are not betting against a bookmaker. Your stake goes into a pool and how much you win depends on how many other winning tickets there are, just like the lottery.

How To Bet

Place a bet with Totepool by stating the number of the horse you wish to bet on and the amount you would like to bet. The minimum bet is £2 Win or £2 Each Way.For helpful tips on how to bet with Totepool watch this video courtesy of Great British Racing.

Betting Ring

• There are several rows of individual bookmakers in front of the Grandstand, all clearly displaying the odds available on all horses in each race.

• Each bookmaker displays their minimum stake and whether they are taking ‘Win only’ or ‘Win and Each Way’ bets. Traditional bookmakers display their odds as fractions.

How to bet

To place a bet, tell the bookmaker your stake on your chosen horse, and whether you want a ‘Win’ or ‘Each Way’ bet. For helpful hints on how to bet with a bookmaker,watch this videocourtesy of Great British Racing.

Betting Shops – Fixed Odds

• Winning Post will be operating a betting shop facility for us on the Concourse (by Core 2) within the Grandstand

• Betfred operate a betting shop facility for on Level 4 of the Grandstand

• Like ring bookmakers, odds are displayed as fractions

• Several types of bets are available, including combinations such as Doubles and Trebles, and the minimum stakes vary

How to bet

To place a bet you use a betting slip and write the time of the race, the horse, your bet type and the amount you would like to put on. To claim winnings after the race, simply take your receipt back to the bookmaker you put the bet on with to collect your money.

More Guides

Where to Watch the Horses

Reading the 'Form'