Horse racing - how the bets work

[ali_alic]

If a horse is 11-2, does that mean you have to put 11 down in order to win back the 11 pound plus 2 more?? or vice versa??

xx

[ugly_bob]

if it's 11-2, for every �2 you bet you'll win �11 back, plus your stake.
If it's 2-11, for every �11 you bet you'll win �2 back, plus your stake.

Then, there's decimal odds and american odds, decimals are easy, if it's 3.5 and you bet �1, you'll get back �3.50 back total. The odds never drop below 1.

American odds I can't remember, but you're unlikely to come across them.

[ali_alic]

Lovely - cheers for that. I got it totally wrong!! Doh!!

[The Mekon]

If the odds are 11-2 on, then this is the same as 2-11.

[ugly_bob]

yes. 2-11 is said as '11 to 2 on', but always written 2-11 or 2/11

[ali_alic]

You've got me confused now!!

How can 2-11 be the same as 11-2.

On one you put down �2 to win �13 (ie �2 plus �11) but the other you have to put down �11 in order to win �13, thereby losing a lot more if the horse loses??

Or am I having a blonde moment??

[littleoldme]

Everything was so easy until TheMekon turned up. ;-)

Odds of 2/11 are often referred to verbally by racing commentators as "11 to 2 on", as opposed to 11/2 which is known as "11 to 2 against" or simply "11 to 2". I agree it's not very helpful to those inexperienced in gambling.

The easiest way to remember it is that when you see it written down, the potential profit is the left hand figure, and the stake required to win that profit is on the right.

[ali_alic]

thank you littleoldme - that bears out what ugly bob said, so I will take that as read!!

Cheers