The placepot bet, for example, is an exceptionally well-known and often used betting type, especially with horse racing enthusiasts and seasonal punters. The Tote placepot is a pool-based betting system; all stakes are placed into a single kitty and then shared amongst the winners. The tricky part of a placepot is for the punter to select a horse to be placed in each of the first six races on a card. A very simple concept, but there are several elements and variables to consider and understand when using this betting type.
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How Does a Placepot Work?
Horse racing placepots can be placed on the course or online with a bookmaker, or in a shop for that matter; just request a slip for a placepot, and in the shop, ask any of the shop staff for assistance to find you the placepot slip. Fill in the boxes with the number of the horse you wish to include in your placepot. A placepot involves the first six races at a meeting, so you must select a minimum of one horse in each of the six races; once you have selected your horses for the placepot, how many places are on offer depends on the number of runners:
- In races of 4 or less – Find the 1st
- Races of 5 – 7 – Find the 1st or 2nd
- Races of 8 – 15 or non-handicaps of 16 or more – Fnd the 1st, 2nd. or 3rd
- Handicaps of 16 or more – Find the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Placepot Bet Example
Remember, you are not restricted to just one selection per race; you can choose more, known as lines; by adding extra lines in each race, your odds of winning increase significantly; this in mind, however, the more lines you add, the greater the stake will be. Let’s represent this with a table, calculating the number of lines in your placepot.
| Race | Lines (Selections) | Running total of Lines |
| One | 2 | 2 |
| Two | 2 | 4 (2 x 2 = 4) |
| Three | 1 | 4 (2 x 2 x 1 = 4) |
| Four | 2 | 8 (2 x 2 x 1 x 2 = 8) |
| Five | 3 | 24 (2 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 3 = 24) |
| Six | 2 | 48 (2 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 3 x 2 = 48) |
| Total | 48 Lines |
Another essential element to consider regarding the placepot is the minimum stake per line and the minimal total stake. So, for example, if we staked fifty pence per line on our example tote placepot above, a total of 48 lines would be £24.
How are Placepot Places Determined?
Placepots are very popular with punters; just before the Tote Placepot’s first race, 27% is deducted from the pool kitty, leaving a total of 73% to be divided among the winners. For example, if the kitty is £100,000, the deduction will be £27,000, and £73,000 will be split among the winners relative to the value of each winner’s winning Placepot lines. Favourites are popular picks for racegoers with Placepots, so when they do not place, very often, many placepots fall as a result.
How Much Does a Tote Placepot Cost?
The thing to remember with Placepots is the more lines you have in one race, the higher the stake. The minimum stake or the total cost of your bet for a Placepot is £2. Your winnings depend on the pool size shared with the winners. The fewer people that win, the higher the dividend. All winnings are paid out to a £1 stake.
How To Place A Placepot Bet
Log in to your Tote account and click the horse racing page. Select the Placepot option for your respective racecourse, and you’ll be taken to the race card for the day’s first race. Start to add your lines to that leg and continue until you have at least one horse in each event. Enter a unit stake and place your bet once you complete your line or perm. Remember that the least dividends are returned when favourites and the most selected horses fill the places. It can pay to avoid those at the head of the betting and reap the rewards when less-considered horses get in the mix. These bets are also perfect for use at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival! Click here to learn more about the best betting offers and free bets for Cheltenham 2024!
What to do if you have a Gambling Problem?
If you feel that you are developing a gambling problem or addiction, and that gambling in person or online is becoming less and less fun, we strongly advise that you seek help from one of the following resources to get you on the road to recovery.
- National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
- Gamcare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware: https://www.gambleaware.org/
FAQs
Is A Placepot A Good Bet?
Like any sportsbook bet, it is only a good bet if it wins. One of the most fun factors regarding this bet is that you have a higher chance of a return due to the each-way factor of the bet. The mystery behind this bet is finding horses at a lot higher odds, and you can be assured that this bet is well-valued and worthwhile. Solely selecting favourites will only make your dividend returns a lot smaller. Selecting two or more lines per race can become costly, and the outlay can be huge, so picking a solid horse in each race may be the way to go.
How Many Winners Do You Need In A Placepot?
You only require placed horses; winners are not required, unless there are races with four or fewer competitors. Two-, three-, or four-runner races need a winner. When it comes to horse racing placepots, consistency is essential. The horse to choose and one that can be pursued in the future is one who consistently places well, is dependable at most courses, and favours a particular going.
What happens if a horse is Withdrawn from a placepot?
If any horse in your pick happens to be withdrawn or a non-runner, your bet goes onto the favorite. The lowest racecard number is used if there are several favorites.
