What is a Pick 3? A Simple Guide to Pick 3 Betting
A Pick 3 bet in horse racing is a fun multi-race wager where you aim to correctly pick the winners of three consecutive races. While the concept is simple, hitting all three winners can be tricky, but the potential payouts make it exciting. It’s similar to bets like the Pick 4, Pick 5, or Pick 6, but with fewer races to predict. Most tracks offer a $1 minimum bet, but some now have 50-cent or even 20-cent versions, making it more affordable for everyone.
In this guide, we’ll break down how a Pick 3 bet works, how to improve your odds of winning, and ways to maximize your payouts.
How Does a Pick 3 Bet Work?
A Pick 3 bet requires you to pick the winner of three consecutive races at the same track. You only win if your selected horses finish first in all three races. If one of your horses loses, the entire bet is lost.
- Minimum Bet: Typically, tracks have a $1 minimum for Pick 3 bets, though some tracks now offer 50-cent or even 20-cent Pick 3 options for flexibility.
- Winning Requirement: To win, your picks must finish first in each of the three races. Miss one, and you’re out!
It’s tougher than a simple win bet, but the challenge is what makes it more rewarding when you hit all three winners.
Choosing Horses for a Pick 3 Bet
Picking the right horses is crucial when betting a Pick 3. You don’t have to pick just one horse per race you can select multiple horses in each race to boost your chances. But the more horses you pick, the higher the ticket cost.
Finding a Single
A good strategy is to identify a “single,” which means you’re confident enough in one race to pick just one horse. This keeps the cost of your ticket lower and allows you to choose more horses in other races where you might be less sure.
- Example: If you pick a single horse in one race but want to select three horses in each of the other two races, your $1 Pick 3 ticket would cost $9 (1x3x3 = 9 combinations).
Singling a favorite isn’t always the best move, though. If you think the favorite is vulnerable, picking a different horse can lead to a bigger payout if you’re right.
Including Longshots
Want to boost your payout? Try adding longshot horses those with higher odds that not many people are betting on. If a longshot wins in your Pick 3, it can make the payout skyrocket.
- Tip: Don’t just bet on favorites. Throwing in a medium-priced horse or longshot can turn an average payout into a big payday.
Using Multiple Horses in Each Race
If you’re unsure about a race, you can pick multiple horses to cover more possibilities. This increases your odds but also raises the cost.
Example of a Pick 3 Bet:
- Race 1: You pick 2 horses.
- Race 2: You pick 3 horses.
- Race 3: You pick 1 horse (single).
- Total combinations: 2x3x1 = 6 combinations.
- Cost of a $1 Pick 3 ticket: $6.
You can adjust the number of horses in each race to fit your budget and still cover enough combinations to increase your chances.
The “All Button” Strategy
Not sure who’s going to win a race? You can use the “All Button” to pick every horse in that race, guaranteeing that you’ll win that leg of the Pick 3. This is called “Buying the Race”, and while it raises the cost, it can be useful if you’re confident about the other races but unsure about one.
When to Use the All Button:
- If a race is wide open, meaning there’s no clear favorite or many horses have similar odds.
- If you’re planning to bet on a large number of horses anyway, it might be worth paying a little more to cover all the possibilities.
Example:
In an 8-horse race, you want to bet on 5 horses. For a bit more money, you could use the All Button to include the other 3 horses, ensuring you won’t miss out on a longshot winner.
Managing Your Budget with Smaller Bet Sizes
Many tracks offer 50-cent or 20-cent Pick 3 bets, making it easier to include more horses while keeping costs down. These smaller bet sizes allow you to create more combinations without spending too much.
Example:
With a 50-cent Pick 3, the cost of a 2x3x2 bet (12 combinations) would be $6, half the cost of a $1 bet for the same number of horses.
By betting smaller amounts, you can cover more possibilities and still stick to your budget.
Maximizing Payouts with Riskier Combinations
To make bigger payouts, try to avoid heavy favorites or beat a favorite in one of the races. When a longshot or medium-priced horse wins, the payouts go up a lot.
- Example: A Pick 3 that includes a 15-1 horse beating the favorite in one of the legs will pay much more than if all three races are won by favorites.
Taking some risks and including higher-odds horses can really pay off if you’re lucky.
Is a Pick 3 Bet Worth It?
A Pick 3 is a great way to enjoy horse racing and potentially score a big payout without needing to predict the winner of four, five, or six races. It’s challenging, but with the right strategy whether you’re picking a single horse, using the All Button, or going for longshots it can be both fun and rewarding.
With 50-cent and 20-cent Pick 3 options available, it’s a bet that can fit into any budget. If you like multi-race wagers but don’t want to go all the way to a Pick 4 or Pick 6, a Pick 3 is a solid middle ground.
FAQs
- What is a Pick 3 bet?
A Pick 3 is a bet where you pick the winners of three consecutive races. You win if all your picks finish first. - How much does a Pick 3 cost?
The cost depends on how many horses you pick in each race. For a $1 Pick 3 bet, you multiply the number of horses you pick in each race. Some tracks also offer 50-cent or 20-cent Pick 3s. - Can I choose more than one horse per race in a Pick 3?
Yes, you can pick multiple horses in each race, but the more you pick, the higher your ticket costs. - What is a “single” in a Pick 3 bet?
A single is when you select only one horse in a race, which helps keep the cost of your ticket lower. - What is the “All Button” in a Pick 3 bet?
The All Button lets you pick every horse in a race, ensuring you’ll win that leg. It’s useful when you’re unsure about the race but confident in the other legs.