New to horse racing betting? Discover the best horse racing bets for beginners. Gain experience with easy horse racing bet types like win, place and each-way bets that help you learn the ropes without pressure or confusion.
Simple Horse Racing Bets That Make Sense
Getting into horse racing betting can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s no need to jump into complicated bet types or longshot strategies when you’re just starting out with beginner horse racing betting.
Instead, begin with simple, beginner-friendly bets that help you build confidence while still enjoying the thrill of the race. These bets let you learn the basics. Like how horses in a race are structured, how odds are displayed, and how outcomes are settled without risking too much.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best horse racing bets for beginners, explain how they work, when to use them, and what to avoid. It’s all about a smarter, simpler approach that helps you enjoy the experience.
What Makes a Good Beginner Bet?
As a beginner, the best bets are those that are:
- Simple to understand
- Low risk (or at least, not high risk)
- Widely available across all types of horse races
- Easy to settle, you either win or you don’t, without confusing terms
The goal isn’t to get lucky on a huge payout your first time around. It’s to understand the basics, learn how horse finishes work, and develop a feel for what’s worth backing. Once you’re confident, you can explore more advanced strategies like accumulators, forecasts, or system bets.
Top 4 Horse Racing Bets for Beginners
These four types of bets are ideal for anyone just starting out. They’re widely available, easy to place, and give you a great sense of how betting on a horse works.
1. Win Bet
This is the classic way to bet on a horse. You simply pick a horse, and if that horse wins the race, you get paid. It’s easy, direct, and exciting.
- Example: You bet £5 on Horse A at 4/1. If it wins the race, you earn £20 profit plus your £5 stake = £25 return.
- When to use: Great when you’re confident a horse has the form, pace, or course advantage to finish first.
- Common mistake: Betting on the favourite blindly. Do some research before you stake.
2. Each-Way Bet
An each-way bet is really two bets: one on the horse to win, and one on the horse to finish in the top few positions. The place part usually pays at a fraction of the odds. Typically 1/4 or 1/5 depending on the number of runners.
- Example: £5 each-way = £10 total bet
- Horse wins at 10/1 = full win and place payout
- Horse finishes 2nd or 3rd = place part only pays
- Why it’s beginner-friendly: You’ve got a second chance to profit even if your horse doesn’t come first.
This bet is perfect in big races like the Grand National or Cheltenham Festival where fields are large and unpredictable.
📚 Want more detail? Read Each-Way Betting Explained
3. Place Bet (Where Available)
A place bet is focused only on finishing in the top few positions. No need for a win. It’s lower risk and offers smaller but more frequent returns, which makes it ideal for learning without losing momentum.
- Available through some bookmakers and betting exchanges
- Great for large fields or when you’re unsure if a horse can win outright
- Look for place terms, some races pay on the top 4 or even top 6 horses
Pro tip: In races with 16+ runners, place betting becomes even more valuable, especially if the favourite seems vulnerable.
4. Forecast / Tricast (Optional, for Fun)
Once you’ve gained confidence, try a forecast (pick 1st and 2nd in exact order) or tricast (1st, 2nd, and 3rd). These are harder to land but can yield massive returns from small stakes.
- Popular at festivals like Royal Ascot or Cheltenham
- Only use a small stake, treat this as a high-risk/high-reward option
Tips for First-Time Punters
- Start small. Don’t stake more than you’re comfortable losing.
- Track every bet. Win or lose, it helps you learn.
- Watch live races. You’ll learn how horse finishes unfold in real time.
- Stick to simple horse racing bets until you’re confident.
- Avoid overly complex systems like doubles four trebles early on.
Where to Place Your First Bet
Placing your first betting on a horse is simple at Mobile Wins Sports. Our racecards show every runner, their odds, and give clear betting buttons for “Win,” “Each-Way,” or “Place.”
Once you’ve selected your horse and stake, be it a single bet or an each-way, the bet slip automatically shows your potential return.
You’ll also find helpful info like the horse’s recent form, jockey, trainer, and the going (track conditions). This adds depth to your decision and builds your betting IQ over time.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need years of experience to enjoy betting on a horse. Start with simple horse racing bets, focus on learning rather than winning big, and give yourself room to improve. In time, you’ll understand how different types of bets fit different race situations. And that’s when things get really fun.
👉 Explore our full Horse Racing Betting Guide to understand odds, strategies, and types of horse races that suit your style.
