Golfer A: +1200 EW ¼ @ 1-2-3-4-5. This bet tells us that Golfer A is priced at +1200 to win the tournament outright and one-quarter odds for a top-5 finish. A $10 each way bet on Golfer A in this example would cost a total of $20. Of that amount, $10 would go on Golfer A to win the tournament at +1200. Our top picks for the best golf betting online sites are: Bet22 Spin Sports 888sport Betway Sports.
Betting on horse races is legal in much of the US. In the age of the internet and mobile devices, that often includes online wagering.
Legal horse betting sites and apps for 2021
Here is a look at some of the best online horse betting sites and apps, and how to get your money online. Many of these are PayPal betting sites.
See the latest odds for the Breeders' Cup here.
TVG review
TVG is most famous as the go-to for horse race viewing on television. However, it also offers online horse betting.
- Creating an Account: Creating an account takes just a few minutes. You must give your name, address, phone number and birthdate, while also making a password for your account. You will also need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Depositing: Options about for depositing, including PayPal, TVG BetCash (for directly depositing from your bank account), credit or debit cards, TVG prepaid card, MoneyPak, PayNearMe, check or money order and wire transfer.
- Withdrawing: Once you have funded your account using one of the methods above, you can usually get your money back the same way.
- Betting Online: You can bet via the website, or download their app from the App Store. There is currently no app for Android, but the site is optimized for mobile. The full range of straight and exotic bets is available for bettors. You can also do your research right on the site or in the app for almost all races. Because it's TVG, you can also watch many races online via the TVG website.
- TVG Promo Code: An up to $250 deposit bonus at 50% match is available on your first bet using promo code LSRTVG.
- Rewards Program: Users get points for each bet, with which they can later use for wager credits.
Play now at TVG and get up to $250 deposit bonus!
NYRA Bets
NYRA Bets is a production of the New York Racing Association (NYRA) that is available around the country.
- Creating an Account: Name, address, phone number, birth date and Social Security number are all required. You also need to create a username, password, and a PIN for using at tracks.
- Depositing: Options include Express Funding to link your bank account, credit card, PayNearMe, at some tracks, by mail or by wire transfer.
- Withdrawing: Most of the same options can be used to withdraw, once they have been used for a deposit.
- Betting Online: Bets can only be placed online or via a mobile browser; there is no app. Beyond that, though, NYRA Bets offers the full range of straight and exotic bets any experienced better would expect to find.
- Rewards Program: Users get points for each bet, with which they can later use for wager credits
What are the best horse betting sites in the USA?
Here is a full list of the legal horse betting sites in the US ranked in order. Bettors can learn more about horse racing online to acquire the best chances of being a successful bettor.
Top Horse Race Betting Sites in the USA
| Ranking | Best Horse Racing Betting Site | Best Welcome Offer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | $250 First Deposit Bonus |
How to bet on horse racing?
Once you have signed up and deposited, you'll be ready to place your first bet. This process will quickly become intuitive.
There are two parts to the process. First, you need to find your selection and the bet type you want to place. Second, you add this to your bet slip and confirm the amount to wager.
Navigating to your race can be done via the track listings or the timeline of races at all three major racing sites. You'll see the runners for each race, with the odds for win and show, plus a toggle for more options. Adding the bet to your bet slip is as easy as clicking the line you want to bet.
Sites place the bet slip to the right (or via a pop-up message). For singles bets, you can add an amount to bet, then confirm to place this. For multiples bets (trifecta, exacta and superfecta), you need to first add all the selections to your slip.
You'll then be set to follow the race via live stream, and hopefully collect those winnings.
Horse betting apps
Betting on your phone or tablet is effortless these days. The best horse race betting sites allow for this. The easiest way for most bettors is to access their websites via your mobile device. The display will automatically adjust to your small screen. All the functionality, including live streaming and results/stats, are available. You can deposit and place bets while on the move.
There are dedicated horse racing apps, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store (for Apple devices). TVG, TwinSpires and BetAmerica offer these. Android users can download an app for TVG, though not the other two sites. This will come directly from TVG (it is not in the Google Play store). To download it, you'll need to approve an 'unknown' source.
Free bets, sign-up bonuses
Each of the major online racing sites offers free bets or bonuses. How these are given varies. Note that these will come with playthrough requirements and other terms and conditions. Check out our detailed horse race betting site reviews for more on the fine print.
TVG: New accounts who sign up using the bonus code LSRTVG will receive an up to $250 deposit bonus at 50% match.
Where can I watch the races?
You'll have a lot of different options when it comes to watching horse racing as it happens. Options range from heading to your local track, to using your mobile phone to view a live stream. Here are the main choices:
- At the Track: With hundreds of racetracks nationwide, many people now have a venue within driving distance. You'll find many tracks have entertainment complexes, and some offer casino games too.
- On TV: Major events are screened on the big networks; you can also watch TVG for smaller, daily races.
- Via Simulcast: Racetracks are linked together, with many offering big screens for races at other venues – as well as the ability to place bets on them.
- OTB Venues: Some states let you bet and view races/check results at dedicated off-track betting venues which don't host live races.
- Streaming Live: The most popular racing sites (TGV, TwinSpires and BetAmerica) all offer live streaming via their websites and betting apps. If you are an active bettor, you'll be able to view the races in real-time via your web browser.
If you miss a race, you'll find the online horse racing betting sites offer replays to active bettors – as well as a comprehensive results service.
Horse racing odds and picks
In each race, the amount of money bet on the individual horses determined the odds. These can be expressed as positive or negatives.
For example, if you see 4:1, you'll win $4 for every $1 you stake (plus your initial stake back). If you instead see 1:4, this means you'll need to stake $4 to win each $1 of return.
These 'odds-on' selections are found when a race has a strong favorite, which is widely expected to win.
Odds for place and show selections are naturally smaller than for win bets. You have multiple chances of being paid.
Horse racing has a skill element, involving finding value from the field. Picking a potential winner or finding a selection whose price is better than their true winning chances will make you money over time.
Online horse racing betting sites help you pick winners by providing statistics detailing the results of previous races. These range from simple form guides and raw results to detailed past performance databases.
Many databases are paid services, with the racebooks offering them as a perk for bettors who wager on a specific meeting.
Understanding the payouts
/golf-outing-pose-56a3d22a3df78cf7727f6a1c-5c4b3d26c9e77c0001f320d4.jpg "Golf betting line")
All racing bets are pooled. The total bet around the country on a race is divided among the selections. For example, if a million dollars is bet on win in a race, 50% of this is on a single horse. The winners (should this horse win) are paid 1:1. The prizes for place, show and trifecta bets are determined in the same way.
To calculate how much you'll win based on the current odds, simply multiply your stake by the odds shown, then add that stake back in.
For example, if you see a selection at 6:1 and bet $10. Your payout would be 6 x $10 + $10 = $70.
Biggest horse races across the US
There are prestigious events for all types of horse racing, which range from harness through to Arabian horses. When it comes to events that catch the public's imagination, the Triple Crown takes center stage.
This involves three races for thoroughbreds, each of which has qualifiers to ensure that only the best horses get to take part. Here are the races in date order. To complete the Triple Crown, a horse needs to win all three in the same year.
- Kentucky Derby: Held at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, KY, this race is known as 'the most exciting two minutes in sport.' The Kentucky Derby has been run every year since 1875 and caps a two weeklong festival featuring many races. A number of traditions go alongside this race. These include mint julep cocktails and a blanket of roses which is placed on the winning horse.
- Preakness Stakes: The second leg of the Triple Crown is held at the Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, MA. It is held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby on the thirdSaturday in May. This race is 1900 meters and on a dirt track. A blanket of flowers is placed on the winner of this race too – in this case, black-eyed Susans.
- Belmont Stakes: If a horse has won both of the preceding races, all eyes will be on it for the final leg of the Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes takes place in Elmont, NY, on either the first or second Saturday in June. This 1.5-mile race started in 1867. It attracts huge TV audiences when the Triple Crown is at stake. Flowers have once again become a tradition. This time the winner is decked in a blanket covered in white carnations.
Other races you can bet on in the United States
- The Arlington International Festival of Racing – Arlington Park
- Stars and Stripes Racing Festival – Belmont Park
- Haskell Invitational Stakes – Monmouth Park
- Travers Stakes – Saratoga Race Course
- Dubai World Cup – Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
- Santa Anita Derby – Santa Anita, Calif.
Where can you bet on horse races online in the US?
Betting on horse racing online or via a mobile device is not legal in every state.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Where and how you can bet can vary by state, but some apps serve all of these.
Apps and websites operating in these states often allow wagering on races across the country and even internationally.
How is it legal?
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) has a carveout for horse racing. That leaves it up to the states whether they want to legalize online wagering on horse races.
Anywhere the platforms above offer wagering, state laws have been enacted to allow for online wagering and horse race betting apps.
Virtual horse race betting
If no real races are going on, you can also wager on virtual horse races. These are races simulated by a computer program, and bettors can still wager on the outcome. More on virtual sports betting.
Unfortunately, this is not offered in the US, although land-based and online casinos may offer this in the near future. Wagering on virtual horse races is more common in Europe and other regulated markets internationally.
Horse racing breeds
To the majority of people, racehorses look similar. Behind the variations in color and height, you'll find several distinctive breeds in different races.
Thoroughbred Horses: The big races are for thoroughbred horses. While there is a big mix of heritage, they can all be traced back to just three fathers born in the 1700s. Those sires were then imported to England, where they established blood-lines that were later imported to the US.
Standardbred Horses: Harness racing uses a different breed known as standardbred. These horses can have thoroughbred ancestors, with mixed heritage. This breed is considered easier to handle than the highly-strung thoroughbreds. Standardbred horses are used for showjumping as well as harness/trotting racing.
Arabian Horses: While many of today's races are over short distances, there are longer endurance-type races scheduled. A different breed, known as Arabian horses takes part in these contests. Arabian horses are perfect for long distances racing, though not for short bursts of speed. As the name implies, these horses (recorded as a subsection of thoroughbreds) were first bred in the Middle East.
Quarter Horses: Quarter Horses is a name given to the mixed-breeds which come from Spanish colonial stock. The name comes from the quarter-mile racetrack which was popular in the early days of horse racing.
Horse race betting terms
There are a lot of slang terms, acronyms and unique terms associated with betting on horses. The list below includes the key definitions to get you started.
Blinkers: Also known as 'blinders,' these cup-shaped devices cover the eyes of horses, narrowing their field of vision to the track ahead.
Colt: A male horse.
Daily Double: A bet which involves picking the winners of two highlighted races (usually consecutive races).
Furlong: This is a distance measure, e.g., a race might be listed at 10 furlongs. Each one is one-eighth of a mile.
Exacta: This is a bet on the first- and second-place finisher (in the right order).
Filly: A female horse.
Gelding: This term refers to a male horse that has been sterilized, which a common practice which can make unruly horses focus on racing.
Grade: Races are graded on the quality of the horses involved (and purse). Grade 1 races have the best competitors.
Handicap: Many races add weight to the better horses (based on past performance) to level the playing field.
Harness Racing: These races involve jockeys in small carts behind the horses.
OTB: This acronym stands for off-track betting. In some states, you can place bets at venues which do not have racing of their own.
Post Position: The placement of a horse in the starting stalls, which is in relation to the position of the rail.
Pari-Mutuel: Bets are pooled, with the payout based on the number of bettors who chose a winner (or other bet types). This betting format is called pari-mutuel betting.
Place: A bet on a horse to finish either first or second.
Pick 6: A bet covering the entire race card. Pick bets can sometimes be found for three or more races. If this is not won, the prize pool is rolled over onto the next racing fixture.
Purse: This describes the prize money awarded for a race.
Show: A bet where you win if your selection finishes either first, second or third.
Simulcast: Live races shown on screens at racetracks around the country. You can bet on these races and watch them as they happen.
Superfecta: Bet on the first four finishers in the right order; this bet has the potential for huge prizes.
Trotting: This form of racing does not allow the horses to break into a gallop.
Triple Crown: To win the Triple Crown a horse needs to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in the same year.
Trifecta: A bet where you need to predict the first-, second and third-place finisher of a race in the correct order.
Win: The basic horse racing bet, you pick a winner of the race.
While PGA golf tournaments are the most popular to bet on, LPGA and EPGA betting is available as well. During the four Majors, most of the big online sportsbooks expand their betting options to include more prop bets, and some offer live betting as well.
Golf betting has evolved alot in the past 10 years. Before then most bookies would just have odds on tournament winners. Now there are tons of golf betting options with all kinds of exotic bets that provide a savvy golf punter with a wide range of markets where value can be found.
If you're already pretty well versed on how to bet on golf, then you can skip the basics by choosing any of the below linked sections.
Types of Golf Bets
As an individual sport, online sportsbooks have to create bets beyond picking the winner. It's tough to pick tournament winners, and without easier bets to win, betting interest would be low. So, most sportsbooks also offer head-to-head and 3-ball bets as well.
Most online sportsbooks also offer a variety of prop bets, which are fun for recreational bettors. Futures bets on the end-of-season #1 player can be found almost year-round, and they can be fun bets to follow if you have a good horse.
Tournament Winners
Since it's so difficult to pick tournament winners, the odds can be very enticing. Since most players have odds in the 20/1 – 40/1 range, it's hard not to place a bet and hope to get lucky. For casual bettors, these types of bets definitely add some excitement to a golf season. However, serious handicappers should always shop around for the best odds. The odds can vary greatly in golf, and anyone looking to make money in this sport needs to have funded accounts at as many online sportsbooks as possible.
It's not uncommon to find a player at 25/1 at one sportsbook, and 40/1 at another. It's also not uncommon to find several sportsbooks within a certain, tight range, and one sportsbook that is totally different. For newer handicappers, let's put this in perspective.
$25 wager on a 25/1 bet = $625 profit.
$25 wager on a 40/1 bet = $1000 profit.
If you can get 40/1 on the same player at Sportsbook X, and 25/1 at Sportsbook Y, where do you want to bet? If you don't have an account funded and ready to go at Sportsbook X, you could cost yourself a ton of profit. In the scenario above, a small wager of $25 could make you an extra $375. That's the equivalent of a free $25 win on a 15/1 bet. Why give that up?
While picking the winner is still the most popular type of golf bet, online betting sites now have hundreds of different betting options and markets on every golf tournament throughout the year
Head to Head Golf Bets
Head to head bets are simple and fun bets to make. For each head to head bet, two players are pitted against each other, and your job is to decide who will have the better finish. Often, the players in a head to head bet are based on the pairings for the final two days of a tournament.
These are very simple bets, but the key is finding the best odds. Why pay -170 if you can get -150? At the risk of beating a dead horse – always shop for the best price!
Head to head bets can be found for single 18-hole rounds, or for full 72-hole tournaments.
3 Ball Golf Bets
During the first two rounds of most golf tournaments, players go out in groups of three. A 3 Ball bet is a wager on which of the three players in a grouping will have the best round for a specific day.
Some sportsbooks offer 3 Ball betting for most PGA tournaments, while others only offer them for the biggest tournaments. They can also be found for EPGA tournaments, usually from bookmakers that focus more on European sports.
Golf Prop Bets
Another way that online sportsbooks keep people interested in betting on golf is by offering prop bets. Prop bets are essentially bets that don't fit into any other category.
They're often a bit off the wall, but some of the more typical golf prop bets include:
- Over/under on how many tournaments (or Majors) a player will win during a season.
- Will player X or player Y finish the year with higher rankings?
- Will player X score an eagle during the current tournament?
For the four majors, The Masters Tournament, U.S. Open Championship, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship, the variety of prop bets that can be found are much greater.
Golf Futures Bets
Before each season starts, most online sportsbooks post odds on who will end the season as the worlds #1 player, and who will win each of the four Major tournaments. Since Tiger Woods is no longer dominating the sport, it's a much more open race now. This may or may not be good for golf, but it is good for handicappers.
As the season goes along and players begin to move up or down the rankings, the futures odds change with them. Heading into the season, if you have an underdog you like, it's a good idea to get your futures bet placed before the season starts. If you're right about that player, his/her odds will go down as they rise up the rankings.
Aside from Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, most players have odds above 15/1 heading into the season. If you think it's likely that neither of these players will end up #1, you can place wagers on multiple players and still end up a big winner if you're right.
PGA Golf Betting
Of course the PGA is the most popular professional golfing tour. So, every online sportsbook offers lines for the PGA. As mentioned above, most offer bets for the tournament winner, as well as head-to-head and 3 Ball bets. Some offer prop bets and futures as well.
EPGA Golf Betting
EPGA betting is offered at most online sportsbooks, but a better variety is offered at those who focus on European sports. While this isn't always the case, in general terms, if a sportsbook does not accept U.S. handicappers, they probably have a better selection of EPGA betting options.
LPGA Golf Betting
Most online sportsbooks offer betting for tournament winners for all LPGA golf tournaments. However, it's tough to find head to head, 3 Ball, and prop bets. Futures bets for the season-ending #1 player are available at most books.
Best Online Sportsbooks for Betting on Golf
The online sportsbooks listed below offer the widest variety of golf bets, along with low vig and simple deposit options. Since odds vary so much on golf, we recommend that serious handicappers have accounts at as many reputable online sportsbooks as possible. This allows you to compare lines and get the best odds available. For this reason, we have a list of the best online golf betting sites for you to consider.
- Why We Like'em
- Huge worldwide brand with loads of golf markets available alongside some awesome specials.
- Best signup bonus that can be used across all their hundreds of golf wagering choices.
- Good for betting on smaller golfing events including the Asian tour.
1/ Betfred.com – A nice selection of golf bets, including PGA, EPGA, and LPGA tournament winners & head to head matchups. A lot of fun prop bets are offered here as well, with average vig. Futures bets are posted early, and stay up late.
2/ Bet365.com – No U.S. bettors. Possibly the best online sportsbook for EPGA betting, and plenty of PGA as well. Tournament winners, 3 Ball, and head to head matchups bets available for all PGA and EPGA tournaments, along with tournament winners for LPGA. Vig on prop bets range from very good to average.
3/ 188Bet.com – No U.S. bettors. A premier online bookmaker with a high volume of PGA and EPGA betting options. Tournament winners and head to head matchups available, along with a decent variety of low vig prop bets. Non-U.S. handicappers need to be comparing odds here.
Golf Betting Advice
All racing bets are pooled. The total bet around the country on a race is divided among the selections. For example, if a million dollars is bet on win in a race, 50% of this is on a single horse. The winners (should this horse win) are paid 1:1. The prizes for place, show and trifecta bets are determined in the same way.
To calculate how much you'll win based on the current odds, simply multiply your stake by the odds shown, then add that stake back in.
For example, if you see a selection at 6:1 and bet $10. Your payout would be 6 x $10 + $10 = $70.
Biggest horse races across the US
There are prestigious events for all types of horse racing, which range from harness through to Arabian horses. When it comes to events that catch the public's imagination, the Triple Crown takes center stage.
This involves three races for thoroughbreds, each of which has qualifiers to ensure that only the best horses get to take part. Here are the races in date order. To complete the Triple Crown, a horse needs to win all three in the same year.
- Kentucky Derby: Held at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, KY, this race is known as 'the most exciting two minutes in sport.' The Kentucky Derby has been run every year since 1875 and caps a two weeklong festival featuring many races. A number of traditions go alongside this race. These include mint julep cocktails and a blanket of roses which is placed on the winning horse.
- Preakness Stakes: The second leg of the Triple Crown is held at the Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, MA. It is held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby on the thirdSaturday in May. This race is 1900 meters and on a dirt track. A blanket of flowers is placed on the winner of this race too – in this case, black-eyed Susans.
- Belmont Stakes: If a horse has won both of the preceding races, all eyes will be on it for the final leg of the Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes takes place in Elmont, NY, on either the first or second Saturday in June. This 1.5-mile race started in 1867. It attracts huge TV audiences when the Triple Crown is at stake. Flowers have once again become a tradition. This time the winner is decked in a blanket covered in white carnations.
Other races you can bet on in the United States
- The Arlington International Festival of Racing – Arlington Park
- Stars and Stripes Racing Festival – Belmont Park
- Haskell Invitational Stakes – Monmouth Park
- Travers Stakes – Saratoga Race Course
- Dubai World Cup – Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
- Santa Anita Derby – Santa Anita, Calif.
Where can you bet on horse races online in the US?
Betting on horse racing online or via a mobile device is not legal in every state.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Where and how you can bet can vary by state, but some apps serve all of these.
Apps and websites operating in these states often allow wagering on races across the country and even internationally.
How is it legal?
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) has a carveout for horse racing. That leaves it up to the states whether they want to legalize online wagering on horse races.
Anywhere the platforms above offer wagering, state laws have been enacted to allow for online wagering and horse race betting apps.
Virtual horse race betting
If no real races are going on, you can also wager on virtual horse races. These are races simulated by a computer program, and bettors can still wager on the outcome. More on virtual sports betting.
Unfortunately, this is not offered in the US, although land-based and online casinos may offer this in the near future. Wagering on virtual horse races is more common in Europe and other regulated markets internationally.
Horse racing breeds
To the majority of people, racehorses look similar. Behind the variations in color and height, you'll find several distinctive breeds in different races.
Thoroughbred Horses: The big races are for thoroughbred horses. While there is a big mix of heritage, they can all be traced back to just three fathers born in the 1700s. Those sires were then imported to England, where they established blood-lines that were later imported to the US.
Standardbred Horses: Harness racing uses a different breed known as standardbred. These horses can have thoroughbred ancestors, with mixed heritage. This breed is considered easier to handle than the highly-strung thoroughbreds. Standardbred horses are used for showjumping as well as harness/trotting racing.
Arabian Horses: While many of today's races are over short distances, there are longer endurance-type races scheduled. A different breed, known as Arabian horses takes part in these contests. Arabian horses are perfect for long distances racing, though not for short bursts of speed. As the name implies, these horses (recorded as a subsection of thoroughbreds) were first bred in the Middle East.
Quarter Horses: Quarter Horses is a name given to the mixed-breeds which come from Spanish colonial stock. The name comes from the quarter-mile racetrack which was popular in the early days of horse racing.
Horse race betting terms
There are a lot of slang terms, acronyms and unique terms associated with betting on horses. The list below includes the key definitions to get you started.
Blinkers: Also known as 'blinders,' these cup-shaped devices cover the eyes of horses, narrowing their field of vision to the track ahead.
Colt: A male horse.
Daily Double: A bet which involves picking the winners of two highlighted races (usually consecutive races).
Furlong: This is a distance measure, e.g., a race might be listed at 10 furlongs. Each one is one-eighth of a mile.
Exacta: This is a bet on the first- and second-place finisher (in the right order).
Filly: A female horse.
Gelding: This term refers to a male horse that has been sterilized, which a common practice which can make unruly horses focus on racing.
Grade: Races are graded on the quality of the horses involved (and purse). Grade 1 races have the best competitors.
Handicap: Many races add weight to the better horses (based on past performance) to level the playing field.
Harness Racing: These races involve jockeys in small carts behind the horses.
OTB: This acronym stands for off-track betting. In some states, you can place bets at venues which do not have racing of their own.
Post Position: The placement of a horse in the starting stalls, which is in relation to the position of the rail.
Pari-Mutuel: Bets are pooled, with the payout based on the number of bettors who chose a winner (or other bet types). This betting format is called pari-mutuel betting.
Place: A bet on a horse to finish either first or second.
Pick 6: A bet covering the entire race card. Pick bets can sometimes be found for three or more races. If this is not won, the prize pool is rolled over onto the next racing fixture.
Purse: This describes the prize money awarded for a race.
Show: A bet where you win if your selection finishes either first, second or third.
Simulcast: Live races shown on screens at racetracks around the country. You can bet on these races and watch them as they happen.
Superfecta: Bet on the first four finishers in the right order; this bet has the potential for huge prizes.
Trotting: This form of racing does not allow the horses to break into a gallop.
Triple Crown: To win the Triple Crown a horse needs to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in the same year.
Trifecta: A bet where you need to predict the first-, second and third-place finisher of a race in the correct order.
Win: The basic horse racing bet, you pick a winner of the race.
While PGA golf tournaments are the most popular to bet on, LPGA and EPGA betting is available as well. During the four Majors, most of the big online sportsbooks expand their betting options to include more prop bets, and some offer live betting as well.
Golf betting has evolved alot in the past 10 years. Before then most bookies would just have odds on tournament winners. Now there are tons of golf betting options with all kinds of exotic bets that provide a savvy golf punter with a wide range of markets where value can be found.
If you're already pretty well versed on how to bet on golf, then you can skip the basics by choosing any of the below linked sections.
Types of Golf Bets
As an individual sport, online sportsbooks have to create bets beyond picking the winner. It's tough to pick tournament winners, and without easier bets to win, betting interest would be low. So, most sportsbooks also offer head-to-head and 3-ball bets as well.
Most online sportsbooks also offer a variety of prop bets, which are fun for recreational bettors. Futures bets on the end-of-season #1 player can be found almost year-round, and they can be fun bets to follow if you have a good horse.
Tournament Winners
Since it's so difficult to pick tournament winners, the odds can be very enticing. Since most players have odds in the 20/1 – 40/1 range, it's hard not to place a bet and hope to get lucky. For casual bettors, these types of bets definitely add some excitement to a golf season. However, serious handicappers should always shop around for the best odds. The odds can vary greatly in golf, and anyone looking to make money in this sport needs to have funded accounts at as many online sportsbooks as possible.
It's not uncommon to find a player at 25/1 at one sportsbook, and 40/1 at another. It's also not uncommon to find several sportsbooks within a certain, tight range, and one sportsbook that is totally different. For newer handicappers, let's put this in perspective.
$25 wager on a 25/1 bet = $625 profit.
$25 wager on a 40/1 bet = $1000 profit.
If you can get 40/1 on the same player at Sportsbook X, and 25/1 at Sportsbook Y, where do you want to bet? If you don't have an account funded and ready to go at Sportsbook X, you could cost yourself a ton of profit. In the scenario above, a small wager of $25 could make you an extra $375. That's the equivalent of a free $25 win on a 15/1 bet. Why give that up?
While picking the winner is still the most popular type of golf bet, online betting sites now have hundreds of different betting options and markets on every golf tournament throughout the year
Head to Head Golf Bets
Head to head bets are simple and fun bets to make. For each head to head bet, two players are pitted against each other, and your job is to decide who will have the better finish. Often, the players in a head to head bet are based on the pairings for the final two days of a tournament.
These are very simple bets, but the key is finding the best odds. Why pay -170 if you can get -150? At the risk of beating a dead horse – always shop for the best price!
Head to head bets can be found for single 18-hole rounds, or for full 72-hole tournaments.
3 Ball Golf Bets
During the first two rounds of most golf tournaments, players go out in groups of three. A 3 Ball bet is a wager on which of the three players in a grouping will have the best round for a specific day.
Some sportsbooks offer 3 Ball betting for most PGA tournaments, while others only offer them for the biggest tournaments. They can also be found for EPGA tournaments, usually from bookmakers that focus more on European sports.
Golf Prop Bets
Another way that online sportsbooks keep people interested in betting on golf is by offering prop bets. Prop bets are essentially bets that don't fit into any other category.
They're often a bit off the wall, but some of the more typical golf prop bets include:
- Over/under on how many tournaments (or Majors) a player will win during a season.
- Will player X or player Y finish the year with higher rankings?
- Will player X score an eagle during the current tournament?
For the four majors, The Masters Tournament, U.S. Open Championship, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship, the variety of prop bets that can be found are much greater.
Golf Futures Bets
Before each season starts, most online sportsbooks post odds on who will end the season as the worlds #1 player, and who will win each of the four Major tournaments. Since Tiger Woods is no longer dominating the sport, it's a much more open race now. This may or may not be good for golf, but it is good for handicappers.
As the season goes along and players begin to move up or down the rankings, the futures odds change with them. Heading into the season, if you have an underdog you like, it's a good idea to get your futures bet placed before the season starts. If you're right about that player, his/her odds will go down as they rise up the rankings.
Aside from Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, most players have odds above 15/1 heading into the season. If you think it's likely that neither of these players will end up #1, you can place wagers on multiple players and still end up a big winner if you're right.
PGA Golf Betting
Of course the PGA is the most popular professional golfing tour. So, every online sportsbook offers lines for the PGA. As mentioned above, most offer bets for the tournament winner, as well as head-to-head and 3 Ball bets. Some offer prop bets and futures as well.
EPGA Golf Betting
EPGA betting is offered at most online sportsbooks, but a better variety is offered at those who focus on European sports. While this isn't always the case, in general terms, if a sportsbook does not accept U.S. handicappers, they probably have a better selection of EPGA betting options.
LPGA Golf Betting
Most online sportsbooks offer betting for tournament winners for all LPGA golf tournaments. However, it's tough to find head to head, 3 Ball, and prop bets. Futures bets for the season-ending #1 player are available at most books.
Best Online Sportsbooks for Betting on Golf
The online sportsbooks listed below offer the widest variety of golf bets, along with low vig and simple deposit options. Since odds vary so much on golf, we recommend that serious handicappers have accounts at as many reputable online sportsbooks as possible. This allows you to compare lines and get the best odds available. For this reason, we have a list of the best online golf betting sites for you to consider.
- Why We Like'em
- Huge worldwide brand with loads of golf markets available alongside some awesome specials.
- Best signup bonus that can be used across all their hundreds of golf wagering choices.
- Good for betting on smaller golfing events including the Asian tour.
1/ Betfred.com – A nice selection of golf bets, including PGA, EPGA, and LPGA tournament winners & head to head matchups. A lot of fun prop bets are offered here as well, with average vig. Futures bets are posted early, and stay up late.
2/ Bet365.com – No U.S. bettors. Possibly the best online sportsbook for EPGA betting, and plenty of PGA as well. Tournament winners, 3 Ball, and head to head matchups bets available for all PGA and EPGA tournaments, along with tournament winners for LPGA. Vig on prop bets range from very good to average.
3/ 188Bet.com – No U.S. bettors. A premier online bookmaker with a high volume of PGA and EPGA betting options. Tournament winners and head to head matchups available, along with a decent variety of low vig prop bets. Non-U.S. handicappers need to be comparing odds here.
Golf Betting Advice
Just because a player is hot right now doesn't mean a course is suited for them. Some players prefer long fairways where their long drives have an advantage. Others have a great short game where tight, twisty holes give them the advantage. Always consider the course before placing your bets.
Best Online Betting App
Picking tournament winners is tough. For serious handicappers looking to win consistently, look for better odds on 3 Ball and head to head matchups. Then, compare odds for the same bets at other online sportsbooks.
Best Online Golf Betting
Pay attention to the game, follow the sport. If a player is going through a difficult time in their personal life, this will affect their game. This type of information is especially useful for head to head matchups when one player who is focused is pitted against a player whose mind might not be fully into the game. They might be professionals, but they're also human.
Best Online Golf Betting Tips
Be mindful of the vig you're paying on prop bets. While some bookmakers offer reasonable vig on props, others are too greedy. Since a lot of people who bet on props are casual, less sophisticated handicappers, some online sportsbooks try to take advantage of this. If you have to pay a lot of juice, don't place the bet.
Some Things You Might Not Know about Golf
