How to Write a Horse Racing Betting Slip

Backing a horse can be a fun way to enjoy the races from home or when attending the course. Some people back horses regularly, while some punters only follow major events like Cheltenham, the Grand National or Royal Ascot.

Whenever you like to bet, if you are writing out the betting slip, it’s essential to know how to do it properly. Here we explain what to write, how to fill it in correctly, common mistakes, and how slips differ by bet type.

What Is a Horse Racing Betting Slip?

The purpose of a betting slip

When you want to place a bet on a horse with a bookmaker or at a racecourse betting window, you will need to fill in a betting slip. These are freely available in bookmakers’ shops, and they record the bettor’s selection, stake, race details, and bet type.

When you still need to write one manually

If you are betting online, you can tap your bets in but lots of punters still enjoy the routine of going to the bookies and doing things the old-fashioned way. There, as well as when using betting windows or some Tote services at the races, you need to manually write out the betting slip.

The Key Details You Need to Write on a Horse Racing Betting Slip

Core information every slip should include

It is vitally important that your betting slip is clear, concise and contains the correct information pertaining to your bet. The onus is on you, the punter, to get this information correct. Sometimes, betting shop staff will spot errors but, in the main, they are handling hundreds per day, and you risk a void bet in a case where the bookmaker may interpret unclear slips differently to what you had intended.

The details you should include on a horse racing betting slip are:

·         Horse name or racecard number

·         Race time

·         Racecourse name

·         Bet type

·         Stake

·         Odds or SP if you want to take the starting price

·         Each-way instruction if applicable

How to Fill In a Horse Racing Betting Slip Step By Step

Step 1: Write the racecourse and race time

Example: Cheltenham, 2:30

Step 2: Add the horse name or number

You can put the horse number, e.g. No.4 or write the horse’s full name. Horse names are printed on Racing Post displays in shops and displayed on screens. Copy them from there. Add the number and name to be sure. Sometimes horses with similar names contest the same race and can lead to confusion.

Step 3: Choose the bet type

Write the type of bet you want to place:

·         Win

·         Each-way

·         Place

·         Forecast

·         Tricast

·         Accumulator / multiple

Note: for bets like forecast, Tricast and accumulator you would need to have written more than one horse and/or race on the slip.

Step 4: Enter your stake clearly

Write your stake, e.g. £10 win or each-way beside the selection and then in the box provided at the bottom include total stake – in the case of a £10 each-way bet, this is £20.

Step 5: Double-check before handing it over

Before giving the slip over the counter, re-check what you have included:

·         Legibility of the writing

·         Correct race

·         Correct horse

·         Correct stake

What to Write for Different Horse Racing Bet Types

Common Mistakes When Writing a Horse Racing Betting Slip

Errors beginners make

If you have never written out a betting slip before, it can be quite daunting. Use our guide to keep you right and avoid these common mistakes:

·         Forgetting to mark each-way

·         Writing the wrong race time

·         Using unclear handwriting

·         Confusing horse number with stall number

·         Not understanding stake per line (in multiple bets or each-ways)

How to avoid rejected or misunderstood slips

Avoid these common pitfalls and ensure your slips are accepted and valid.

·         Use block capitals

·         Keep the format simple

·         Ask staff to confirm before processing

Betting Slip: Useful terms to know

·         Stake – how much you want to put on

·         SP – starting price

·         Fractional odds – the odds that are displayed on bookmakers’ screens, e.g. 4/1

·         Each-way – backing a horse to either win OR be placed (two bets, double your unit stake)

·         Forecast – predicting the first two finishers in a race in the correct order

·         Return – how much your bet will pay if successful

Writing a Betting Slip vs Betting Online

Key differences

·         In-person slips require manual accuracy from the punter

·         Online betting slips auto-fill race details and reduce writing errors.

·         Some experienced punters still prefer physical slips for speed and habit.