What Is a Daily Double? Your Easy Guide to Daily Double Betting
A Daily Double is one of the simplest and most exciting multi-race bets in horse racing. The goal? Pick the winners of two consecutive races. If both your chosen horses win, you cash in. It’s a fun way to boost your payouts compared to just betting on a single race. And whether you’re new to the track or a seasoned bettor, the Daily Double can add some extra excitement to your day.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how the Daily Double works, the strategies that can help you win, and how you can maximize your payouts.
How Does a Daily Double Work?
The Daily Double involves picking the winners of two consecutive races at the track. It’s usually offered on the first two races of the day, but some tracks let you bet on the last two races or offer a “rolling” Daily Double, meaning it’s available for any two back-to-back races throughout the day.
- Minimum Bet: The typical minimum wager is $1, though some tracks might require $2.
- Payouts: Before the first race starts, you can check the possible payouts for your combination, so you’ll know what kind of return to expect if you win.
Betting on Favorites in a Daily Double
Betting on favorites in both races might seem like the safe play, but it usually leads to lower payouts. When favorites dominate, the payouts shrink because so many people place similar bets.
Pro Tips:
- If both races have strong favorites, consider betting more than the minimum to increase your potential return. But be aware that many other bettors will have the same idea, so the payout might still be low.
- If you think one or both of the favorites might lose, look for ways to beat the favorites by picking a mid-priced or longshot horse. This strategy can make your payout a lot more interesting.
Using Multiple Horses in a Daily Double
One big advantage of the Daily Double is that you can bet on multiple horses in each race to increase your chances of hitting the bet. While it ups your odds of winning, it also increases your cost, depending on how many horses you include.
Strategies for Multiple Horses:
- Single in One Race, Multiple in the Other: If you’re confident about one horse in a race, you can single that horse (bet only on them) and use multiple horses in the other race to cover your bases.
- Using the “All Button”: When one of the races feels wide open and hard to predict, you can use the “All Button” to bet on every horse in that race. It raises your chances but can lead to a lower payout if a favorite wins.
Example:
If you feel great about Horse #2 in Race 1 but Race 2 seems unpredictable, you could bet Horse #2 in Race 1 and select all horses in Race 2. This gives you a higher chance of winning, but watch out for the extra cost, especially if the payout is low because a favorite wins.
Cost and Combinations in Daily Double Betting
The cost of a Daily Double depends on how many horses you choose in each race. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- A $1 Daily Double with one horse in each race costs $1.
- A $1 Daily Double with two horses in each race costs $4 (2 horses per race = 2 x 2 combinations).
- A $1 Daily Double with three horses in Race 1 and two horses in Race 2 would cost $6 (3 x 2 combinations).
As you add more horses, the cost increases, so it’s all about balancing your picks with your budget.
Going for Bigger Payouts: Betting on Longshots
If you want to hit a bigger payout, betting on longshots can really pay off. While favorites win more often, the real value comes when you correctly predict an upset in one of the races.
Pro Tip:
- Look for under-the-radar horses that have a shot at winning based on factors like recent form, track conditions, or jockey changes. Throwing a longshot into your Daily Double bet can make your winnings much sweeter.
When to Use the Daily Double
The Daily Double is versatile and works for both casual bettors and experienced handicappers. You get the advantage of knowing the potential payouts before the first race starts, which gives it a level of transparency that some other multi-race bets don’t offer.
- For Smaller Budgets: If you’re looking to bet on more than one race but don’t want to spend a ton, the Daily Double is a great option. Even a $1 bet can keep things exciting and give you the chance to win some money.
- For Seasoned Bettors: If you’ve done your research and found some potential upsets or undervalued horses, the Daily Double can be a smart way to cash in on those insights.
Making the Most of Your Daily Double Bet
The Daily Double is an exciting and strategic way to bet on horse racing. It’s more challenging than a simple win bet, but it also offers higher potential payouts. Whether you’re betting on multiple horses, keying a strong favorite, or chasing a longshot, the Daily Double can be a rewarding option for both new and experienced bettors.
While you won’t always hit a massive payout unless longshots come through, the Daily Double is a fun, engaging bet that gives you plenty of bang for your buck.
FAQs
- What is a Daily Double in horse racing?
A Daily Double is a bet where you pick the winners of two consecutive races. Both your selections must win for you to cash in. - What’s the minimum bet for a Daily Double?
The minimum wager is typically $1, though some tracks require $2. - How do I increase my chances of winning a Daily Double?
You can increase your odds by betting on multiple horses in each race or using the “All Button” to include every horse in a particularly tough race. Keep in mind this will increase the cost of your bet. - What does the “All Button” mean in a Daily Double?
The “All Button” lets you bet on every horse in one race, giving you more chances to win. But the payout might be smaller if a favorite wins. - When is the best time to use the Daily Double?
The Daily Double is perfect when you feel confident in your picks for two consecutive races and want to maximize your potential payout, especially if you spot horses that could upset the favorites.