A Pick 3 Bet is picking horses to finish first in three consecutive races. A Pick 4, 5, or 6 bet is picking horses to finish first in four, five, or six consecutive races.
Place a straight pick 3 or pick 3 wheel bet. The pick 3 wheel variant has its own mechanics and cost. This tutorial explains how to place each pick 3 bet. See example bets and cost tables below.
A winning pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 bet can produce a substantial payout. Make these bets with caution. It is difficult to win a pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 bet. A pick 5 bet may also be called a “Hi-5” wager, and a Pick 6 bet may also be called a “Jackpot 6” wager.
This bet is horse racing’s equivalent to a sports betting parlay. Winning a large pick bet is very rare. In fact, it can be harder than winning some sports parlay bets.
Table of Contents
First, let’s define a pick bet.
Straight Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Bets
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Pick horses to finish first in three, four, five or six consecutive races. Some tracks offer rolling pick 3 bets. That means your 3 race sequence can start with any race on the card. The same would be true for a pick 4, 5, or 6 race sequence, though there would need to be more than 6 races to allow a rolling pick 6 bet.to Place
Pick bets are also available for events spanning two days. This commonly happens with the Breeders’ Cup horse racing event.
Your pick bet wins if all horses win their races.
Payouts will be posted after each race. Project payouts may be posted as the race card progresses. Remember to monitor race results carefully!
Cost: $1
How to Place a Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Bet
Time needed: 1 minute
How to place a Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 bet
- Create a new horse betting account or login to your existing account
Create a new player account at one of our recommended horse betting sites or login to your existing account.
- Choose a race track and upcoming races
Review the horse betting site’s list of horse tracks and upcoming races. Morning line odds are typically available about 3-5 hours before wagering begins.
- Select a Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 bet from the wagering menu
Tap “Pick 3”, “Pick 4,” “Pick 5”, or “Pick 6” bet from the horse racing’s wagering menu. A “Hi-5” bet is the same as a Pick 5, while a “Jackpot 6” is the same as a Pick 6.
- Choose the winners of consecutive races from the list of eligible pick bet races, then book the wager
Choose a horse to win each of your races. A straight pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 bet costs $1.
- Your Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 bet wins if your horses win their races
Carefully review the race results. If each horse you picked won their respective race, your pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 bet wins.
Example Pick 3 Ticket:
$1 Straight Pick 3 on Horse 3, Race #1; Horse 6, Race #2; and Horse 4, Race #3 means you are betting $1 that horses 3, 6, and 4 will win their races.
Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Box Bet
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A Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 box bet is not possible.
Box bets allow multiple horses to finish in different positions. A pick bet restricts bettors to choosing the winning horses in different races. Therefore, you can’t “pick box” multiple horses because only one finishing position is available.
Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Wheel Bet
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A Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Wheel bet is picking sets of horses to finish first in each race. Each set is called a key. Each key contains 1 or more horses.
Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Wheel Bets
Note: Each race has it’s own key.
Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Full Wheel – Select one horse for the first race’s key. Put all horses from the second race in the second race’s key. Then, put all horses from the third race in the third race’s key, etc. for each race you’re betting. Alternatively, wheel 1 horse from one race with all horses from the other races.
Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Part Wheel – Select your own horses for the first race’s key. Select your own horses for the second key, third key, etc. for each race you’re betting. The part wheel does not include all horses from each race.
Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Wheel Details
Your pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 wheel wins if a horse from the first race’s key wins the first race, a horse from the second race’s key wins the second race, a horse from the third race’s key wins the third race, etc. for each race you’re betting.
Cost: $1 per Combination
Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Wheel Cost
This calculation is straightforward. Multiply the number of horses in each key together. The product is the number of combinations. Then multiply the combinations by the cost per combination.
Pick 3 Wheel Combination Calculation
R1 = Number Horses 1st Race Key
R2 = Number Horses 2nd Race Key
R3 = Number Horses 3rd Race Key
R4, R5, R6 = Number of horses in fourth, fifth, and sixth race keys
C = Cost per combination
(R1 x R2 x R3 x … R4 x … R5 x … R6) x C = Pick bet cost
Tip
Racebooks will calculate pick bet wheel cost for you. See also this calculator.
Example Pick 3 Ticket:
1 horse key Race #1. 4 horse key Race #2. 3 horse key Race #3.
- #1 Key – Horse 2
- #2 Key – Horses 8, 3, 1, 6
- #2 Key – Horses 9, 4, 7
Example Cost Calculation:
(R1 x R2 x R3) x C = 1 x 4 x 3
12 Combinations x $1 = $12
Tip
Wheel the fewest number of horses possible in each key. Smaller sets of horses decrease a pick bet’s cost. This strategy works best for races with one obvious winner. Don’t pay for combinations you don’t need!
Picks Stats for All Tracks
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Get Free Pick Data
Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Betting Reference
$1 Pick 3 Part Wheel
| Key 1 | Key 2 | Key 3 | Combinations | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,3 | 4,5,6 | 6 | $6 |
| 1 | 2,3 | 4,5,6,7 | 8 | $8 |
| 1 | 2,3 | 4,5,6,7,8 | 10 | $10 |
| 1 | 2,3 | 4,5,6,7,8,9 | 12 | $12 |
| 1 | 2,3,4 | 5,6,7,8 | 12 | $12 |
| 1 | 2,3,4 | 5,6,7,8,9 | 15 | $15 |
| 1 | 2,3,4 | 5,6,7,8,9,10 | 18 | $18 |
| 1 | 2,3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9,10 | 20 | $20 |
| 1 | 2,3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9,10,11 | 24 | $24 |
| 1 | 2,3,4,5,6 | 7,8,9,10,11,12 | 30 | $30 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9 | 24 | $24 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9,10 | 30 | $30 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5 | 6,7,8,9,10,11 | 36 | $36 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5,6 | 7,8,9,10,11 | 40 | $40 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5,6 | 7,8,9,10,11,12 | 48 | $48 |
| 1,2 | 3,4,5,6,7 | 8,9,10,11,12,13 | 60 | $60 |
| 1,2,3 | 4,5,6,7 | 8,9,10,11,12 | 60 | $60 |
| 1,2,3 | 4,5,6,7 | 8,9,10,11,12,13 | 72 | $72 |
| 1,2,3 | 4,5,6,7,8 | 9,10,11,12,13,14 | 90 | $90 |
| 1,2,3,4 | 5,6,7,8,9 | 10,11,12,13,14,15 | 120 | $120 |
FAQs on Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Bets
Pick the winning horse of 3, 4, 5, or 6 consecutive races. The horse betting site or racetrack will advise which races are available for a pick bet.
No. A Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 box bet isn’t possible. A box bet is for multiple horses to finish in different positions. A Pick bet is only for the winning position. You may wheel a Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 bet instead.
Select one winner from the first race for the first key. Select all horses from the second race for the second key, all horses from the third race for the third key, etc. for each race you’re betting. Alternatively, select one winner from any of the races and all horses from all other races you’re betting.
Select or more horses from the first race for the first key. Select your own set of horses from all other races for each remaining key. The part wheel does not include all other horses from each race. You can use smaller sets to decrease your cost.
A “Jackpot 6” horse bet is the same as a pick 6 bet. Pick the winning horses for 6 consecutive races.
A “Hi-5” horse bet is the same as pick 5 bet. Pick the winning horses for 5 consecutive races.
Pick the winning horses for 4 consecutive races.
Horse Betting Resources
- Horse Racing Betting Tracks – Complete list of today’s thoroughbred horse races and harness races from major United States tracks and raceways, plus a select list of Canadian and Latin American tracks.
- Horse Betting Sites – We’ve reviewed the finest legal US horse racing betting sites, offering our own insights and guidance on where to place a bet. Don’t forget to claim your bonus code.
- How to bet on Horses – We’ve made horse racing betting easy, giving you a basic rundown of the win, place, show, and win-place-show bet. You’ll also learn how place a trifecta, superfecta, exacta, or quinella bet.
Exotic Horse Bets
- Exacta Bet – Bet on two horses to finish first and second in the order you specify. Like other exotic bets, you can box or wheel an exacta bet.
- Quinella Bet – This bet is similar to the exacta, except you’re picking two horses to finish first and second in any order. That means they could finish A-B, or B-A, and your quinella would still win. You can also box or wheel a quinella.
- Trifecta Bet – Bet on three horses to finish first, second, and third in the order you specify, or try a trifecta box or trifecta wheel bet.
- Superfecta Bet – It’s hard to win a superfecta, which is a bet on four horses to finish first, second, third, and fourth in the order you specify. Hitting a superfecta box or superfecta wheel bet might be easier.
- Daily Double Bet – Pick the winners of two consecutive horse races from the horse track’s list of eligible races. For more flexibility, you can try a daily double wheel bet. You can’t box a daily double bet.
- Pick 3, 4, 5, or 6 Bets – Pick the winners of 3, 4, 5, or 6 consecutive horse races. Like the Pick 3, you’ll need to review the horse track’s list of eligible races before placing this longshot wager. You can also wheel a Pick bet.
Kentucky Derby Resources
- Kentucky Derby Betting Odds – Odds to win this year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Learn how to bet on the Kentucky Derby.
- Kentucky Derby Trifecta Picks – See our trifecta picks for this year’s Kentucky Derby, with prerace commentary and updates before the Derby.
- Kentucky Derby Betting Sites – Best legal online horse betting sites that accept Kentucky Derby wagers, plus last minute race picks.
Preakness Stakes Resources
- Preakness Betting Odds – Odds to win this year’s Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan, with a quick guide to how to bet on these two exciting annual horse racing events.
- Preakness Trifecta Picks – We’ve got a trifecta picks for this year’s Preakness Stakes, offering you the chance to improve your odds with an efficient trifecta wheel bet.
- Preakness Superfecta Picks – If you’re feeling lucky, try our Preakness superfecta part wheel bet, where you’ll key in sets of horses and try to nail the right finish. Though it’s notoriously an elusive bet to win, the potential payout is extremely lucrative.
- Preakness Betting Sites – Last minute picks and the best places to place an online wager for the Preakness Stakes this year.
Belmont Stakes Resources
- Belmont Stakes Betting Odds – See odds to win this year’s Belmont Stakes. If a horse has won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, a Triple Crown will be on the line.
- Belmont Stakes Trifecta Picks – Check out our trifecta part wheel picks for the Belmont Stakes. A part wheel is easier to win than a straight trifecta bet.
- Belmont Stakes Superfecta Picks – Picks for a winning Superfecta Part Wheel at this year’s Belmont Stakes.
- Belmont Stakes Betting Sites – Legally bet on this year’s Belmont Stakes from the comfort of your home with our highly regarded online horse betting sites, then have a look at our last minute race picks.
- Belmont Stakes Trends – Review Belmont Stakes trends before placing a bet. Find out which post position is the most likely to produce a winner.
Breeders’ Cup Resources
- Breeders’ Cup Betting Odds – Odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic and other top-tier events from this seminal horse racing event that serves as the capstone for each racing season, with juvenile race winners likely to be Triple Crown contenders the following year.
- Breeders’ Cup Distaff Betting Odds – See the latest odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Distaff race, held on the Saturday afternoon just before the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
- Breeders’ Cup Mile Betting Odds – Enjoy the thrill of the often underrated Breeders’ Cup Mile, a stunning race held early Saturday afternoon before the main event.
- Breeders’ Cup Turf Betting Odds – Another great race on the undercard, the Breeders’ Cup Turf showcases the world’s top horses on grass. Get the latest odds before the race goes off Saturday afternoon.