Tote Betting Explained

Written by: Rebecca Martin

Written by:

Writer & Media

Rebecca is a Liverpool gal and a big fan of the club. She likes nothing more than sharing tips and predictions on sports betting. Her other favorite sports include horse racing, snooker, and golf. Rebecca is in charge of writing and media at BetZillion. You can thank her for making our articles look so great.

Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Tote betting (abbreviation from totalisator) is also widely known as pari-mutuel betting, and it represents punting in a pool, as opposed to placing fixed-odds wagers. It’s mainly related to horse racing betting, and the potential winnings are shared among all the people who’ve staked in the pool.

Placing a Bet on the Tote: The Basics

Tote betting is a popular form of horse racing wagering with the community aspect, as you’d be staking in a pool together with other bettors. The system is undeniably more prevalent in horse racing, as its origin traces back to the sport. However, it has also expanded to a few other sports and events.

So, punters may find other sports and events where this betting style is also available, like greyhound racing, football, rugby, cricket, and others. The main difference compared to fixed-odds betting is the way in which the odds are calculated.

Unlike betting on a certain horse to win at the upfront odds, Tote betting payouts are determined by the total amount of wagers placed in a pool. Once the “Tote” takes the cut for service fees, the rest of the pot is shared among punters who invested in it, assuming that their bet hits.

Tote Betting Rules

Here are some of the general guidelines you should keep in mind:

Betting pools: Tote involves pooling wagers into a single pot, which is later shared among the winning bets.
Dynamic odds: The Tote sports bet odds are dynamic and can change as more bets come in before the event.
Minimum stakes: The wagers usually have a minimum stake requirement, depending on the type, racecourse, and specific service provider.
Place terms: For a place bet, the number of allowable places can vary depending on the number of runners.
Tax and commission: Service providers usually take a cut paid on commission and fees, after which the rest of the pool gets shared among bettors.
Pools with no winner: When a Tote bet ends with no winner, the entire gross pool usually gets carried forward to another race.

How Can You Bet on the Tote?

Tote sports betting often seems complicated to beginners, but it’s in fact quite simple once you learn the basics:

How Do Odds Work on the Tote?

One of the most significant distinctions between online Tote betting and other simple wagering options lies in how the odds work. Instead of betting on fixed odds, the potential payout of each participant in the pool is determined by the overall bet pool and the amount staked on each outcome.

So, the final odds for a Tote wager can only be determined when the betting pool closes, typically when the event commences. Once the event ends, the dividends get shared amongst the winning bets. The highest dividends are paid on horses with the lowest pool coverage, and this works both ways.

Calculation Example

Let us explain how Tote betting works on a practical example below. For the sake of comparison with regular UK bookies, let’s say there’s an upcoming race with 4 horses. For simplicity, imagine that the pool is closed at an overall bet amount of $10,000, and the tax/commission is 10%.

The table below shows the breakdown of the wager on each horse selection and how the payout is derived.

Selection	All bets placed	Tote fee/taxes	Calculation	Price
Horse 1	$1,000	10%	= 9,000/1,000	$9.00
Horse 2	$2,000	10%	= 9,000/2,000	$4.50
Horse 3	$3,000	10%	= 9,000/3,000	$3.00
Horse 4	$4,000	10%	= 9,000/4,000	$2.25
$10,000	$1,000

According to the table, if horse 1 wins the race, punters with winning bets will receive $9.00 for every $1 wagered. In this case, if you had staked $100 on the horse, you would receive a $900 payout (i.e., $800 profit). If horse 2, 3, or 4 wins, the payout will be $4.50, $3.00, or $2.25, respectively, for every $1 wager.

Another thing you should note about the payouts is that the selection with the most action (i.e., the largest bet amount @ $4,000) offered the least payout ($2.25). So, the smaller the bet amount on a selection, the bigger the share gained if it wins. That’s why it pays off to back an underdog with this system.

Types of Tote Bets Explained

One of the beauties of betting on the Tote is that it offers a wide range of betting options, each with unique characteristics and winning chances. From simple wagers like win and place bets to the more exotic ones like exacta, trifecta, and many others, you will find many options to explore in this market.

Win

The win wager is the simplest form of Tote bet that requires you to pick a single horse to win a race outright. For example, you can place a Tote sports bet on horse 3 to win an 8-runner race during the Grand National.

Naturally, you will only win this bet if horse 3 wins the race. The dividend for payout will depend on the overall pool and the wager size of the winning selection. Your payout will then be your stake amount multiplied by the calculated dividend, as explained earlier.

Place

Place wagers are some of the most common options for betting on horse racing, and that goes for both Totes and regular sportsbooks. Your selected horse doesn’t have to come first to win a place bet, as it usually covers the race’s top 2, 3, or more positions.

Not all races qualify for this type of bet, as it depends on the total number of runners. Here is the rule most Tote sports betting brands follow for positions in the place bet:

2 to 4 runners: 1st alone (i.e., no place betting)
5 to 7 runners: 1st & 2nd
8 to 15 runners: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
16 or more non-handicap: 1st, 2nd & 3rd
16 or more non-handicap: 1st, 2nd & 3rd, & 4th

In the case of most Tote betting providers, a race needs to have at least 5 runners for place bets to be available. Naturally, they are easier to hit when compared to winner bets, which means the dividend payouts are also lower.

Each way

Some Tote bookmakers also offer punters the chance to place each-way wagers on horse races, combining a “win bet” with the “place bet.” It’s similar to a system bet, as there are two possible combinations here – your selected horse wins, or it finishes the race in one of the top positions.

The Tote each-way wager works like the regular one, with two equal bets covering both win and place outcomes. But here, the win bet will go to the win pool, and the place wager will go to the place pool. If the selected horse wins the race, you will win both parts of the bet. However, if the horse comes in second or third, you will lose the win wager but win the place bet.

Exacta and Reverse Exacta

The Tote exacta wager works similarly to the regular exacta that bookmakers provide for horse racing events. Here, you must pick two horses to finish in the first and second positions in the exact order. For example, “Horse 4 @ 1st and Horse 2 @ 2nd.”

Another Tote bet exacta you can place is the reverse exacta. It splits your wager into two separate bets, which results in a payout no matter the exact order in which the horses finish. Still, only one combination can come, so that affects your payout.

Trifecta and Reverse Trifecta

Like the Tote exacta, the trifecta wager in Tote betting is similar to the traditional counterpart. Here, you will select three horses to finish first, second, and third in that exact order. For example, “Horse 4 @ 1st, Horse 2 @ 2nd, and Horse 8 @ 3rd.” As you can imagine, this is more difficult to predict, so the dividend of winning bets is typically higher here than exacta and straight-win wagers.

The reverse trifecta Tote bet involves predicting the top three finishing horses in any order. Since it involves three horses in 3 possible places, this covers six possible outcomes and requires six equal stakes.

Swinger

The “Swinger” bet is one of the specialty wagers you can place at Tote platforms, and it refers to picking three horses to finish in the top positions. As long as two out of three finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, you win the bet. Naturally, this creates several combinations:

1st and 2nd
1st and 3rd
2nd and 3rd

For example, if you pick Horse 5 and Horse 3 in a 6-runner race for your swinger wager, you will win the bet if they both finish in the first, second, or third position. But you lose if one or both horses don’t finish in the top 3 spots.

Placepot

Unlike the other wagers, this one typically applies to more than one race, usually the first six of each meeting. It’s among the most popular Tote bets, as it allows you to stake on a horse from each of the races. As long as you hit the individual place bet for each six events, you win. Still, only 8-runner or more races can place in the top three positions.

The best part is that the Tote placepot rules do not limit the number of horses punters can pick for their wagers. You can pick two or more selections per race. However, this will result in a bigger stake as you cover more outcomes.

Jackpot

Another popular form of exotic Tote sports bet is the jackpot wager, which requires you to accurately predict the race winner in each of the six races. Normally, even a $1 jackpot might pay in the lines of $50,000 or even more, but it’s also among the toughest bets to hit.

Quadpot

A Tote quadpot wager is similar to the placepot option. The biggest difference is that it typically refers to the races 3 to 6 at a meeting, and not 1 to 6 or the final six. As long as you hit place selections right in all four races, you win the quadpot, which can pay over $200 on a single $1 bet, depending on the dividends.

Scoop6

Finally, the scoop6 wager is one of the most innovative exotic Tote bets. It involves placing race-winner and place bets across six pre-determined races, and there’s also a bonus pool, which makes this type of bet even more interesting.

Those who make accurate predictions can move on to bet on the “bonus pool” as the final race of the day. If you hit a race-winner and a place bet on that one, you can get in line for massive jackpots.

Betting on Singles Vs. Multiples on the Tote

All Tote wagers fall under two categories – singles and multiples. The latter type is often referred to as the “exotics” in the world of Tote betting, and it includes bets like the exacta, trifecta, placepot, scoop6, and others. Here’s a brief summary of the singles vs multiples comparison:

Singles	Multiples
Straightforward bet	It can be pretty complex to predict
Involves a single horse selection in one race	Involves two or more horse selections across one or more races and meetings
Higher chances of winning	Lower chance of winning
Lower potential payout	It has a pretty high potential payout
Limited betting options	Offers more betting opportunities with different combinations

How Does Each-Way Betting Work on the Tote?

Unlike traditional horse racing bets, there is no each-way betting per se when you bet on the Tote. Think of it this way – in a regular, fixed-odds betting system, placing each-ways means placing two separate bets as one. There are two components (the race-winner and place parts of the wager), and each comes with a specified payout according to the odds.

Since you can’t know the odds beforehand in Tote betting, each-ways operate a bit differently here. The most notable difference is that both parts of the wager go into their respective “pools.”

We’d especially point out that these pools might have completely different dividends, so the best-case scenario would be for your horse to win the race. In this case, you get a dividend payout from both pools. Otherwise, you only get a payout from the “place” pool.

Tote Betting Vs. Fixed Odds

Because of the completely different payout mechanics, both Tote and fixed-odds wagering have particular benefits for bettors. There are some situations where you’d benefit more from fixed-odds betting (like with classic each-ways), and others when Tote betting is way more rewarding (such as placing multiples or jackpot bets).

There’s also the “thrill” factor, as some bettors enjoy getting surprised by the dividend payout at the end of the race. Others might prefer knowing their chances and winning potential beforehand.

The way our experts see it, fixed-odds betting is way more beneficial for high-rollers who wish to know their winnings upfront, as well as those backing the favorites. On the flip side, Tote betting is more suitable for multiples or backing the underdog. Here’s a breakdown of other similarities and differences:

Tote Betting	Fixed Odds Betting
Pits punters against each other within a betting pool	Pits punters against bookmakers.
Odds fluctuate as more bets enter the pool before the race’s commencement.	Odds remain fixed once the bet is placed, regardless of any subsequent market change.
The total size of the betting pool and the amount on the winning bet determine the payout.	Bookmakers base the payout on fixed odds they provide.
It can potentially give higher payouts to punters, especially for outsider horses.	It offers a fixed payout determined by the odds when wagering.
A limited number of wagering options.	It provides various wagering opportunities on different outcomes in sports events.
It is often associated with horse racing but can also be available for other sports.	Widely available across multiple sports, from horse racing to football, tennis, basketball, etc.

Tote Betting Tips

The worst mistake you can make before going into Tote betting is not being aware of the payout mechanics and rules. Here are some expert tips to help you get started ASAP:

Do your research: Having the right kind of information is vital when Tote betting. For instance, if you’re familiar with the latest news, you might spot a horse returning from a break or runners that did well in other jurisdictions before switching to the one organizing the race you wish to bet on. This way, you get the highest dividend payout that might even be higher than the fixed-odds payout on backing the underdog.
Choose a suitable bet type: As mentioned, there are some unique rules for certain bet types in Tote wagering. For instance, you can back a top-three finish in an 8-runner race, and a 16-runner race gives you the extra chance of covering the fourth place as well. The dividend payouts might also be lower, though.
Set a budget: Money management is crucial in your journey, as Tote online betting can be risky and hard to win. So, set a budget and stick to it, and only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
Be patient: Due to the unpredictable nature of horse racing events, Tote betting can sometimes be quite frustrating, as you may lose several bets. Ensure you are always patient and never chase losses.
Consider outsiders: If, based on your research, your prediction favors an outsider over the favorite, don’t be afraid to bet on it. Favorites don’t always win races. Plus, the dividends on outsiders are usually huge compared to the favorites’ payout.

The Tote Origins

The Tote was first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1928 under the supervision of Sir Winston Churchill, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer. With horse racing becoming quite popular and many people wanting to participate, illegal betting became rampant. So, the Tote was created as a regulated, government-controlled alternative to create a fair and transparent system that would ensure player protection.

A secondary goal was to use the betting revenue generated from the Tote to support the horse racing industry. The concept of pooled betting has been out there ever since, and it has consequently spread to other sports, from greyhound betting to tennis and even football.

The Tote Today

The Tote has undergone several transformations since it was introduced in the 1920s. As mentioned, the United Kingdom’s government established and owned the brand. It remained so until July 2011, when it was privatized and sold to Betfred, who owned and managed it until 2019, before the UK Tote group acquired it.

Today, the UK Tote group operates across the UK and Ireland and covers diverse race courses. Nowadays, it’s also more convenient to place a pool bet than ever before by using the official Tote mobile betting app.

Although Tote has traditionally operated separately from bookmakers, it now collaborates with several sports betting sites. Some Tote bookmakers offer these wagers alongside their regular fixed odds market, providing their punters with a broader range of options.

Where Can You Bet on the Tote?

Today, almost all racecourses in the UK and Ireland have Tote betting stations and representatives on-site to facilitate the wagering pool. Even better, you can use your mobile device to place a pool bet, and these are some of the most prominent platforms for doing that:

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Final Words

Tote sports betting is a popular and exciting way to wager on horse racing events and a few other sports. It offers a chance to join a pool of bettors and earn massive dividend payouts for backing low-capacity pools on underdogs to win. From basic win and place singles to exotic options like exacta, trifecta, placepot, and many others, you can enjoy various Tote betting options, each with its own characteristics.

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Check also: Luckster betting and Unibet sportsbook

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tote betting?

Tote betting is a wagering option that pools all bets on a racing event together and divides it among the winning bets after deductions for the usual tax and fees.
How does Tote betting work?

When you bet on the Tote, your stake goes into a pool for the specific race or event, along with the stakes of other punters. The total pool size and the bet amount on your chosen outcome will determine the odds of your bet and potential dividends. If your prediction wins, you will receive your share of the pool based on the dividend and your wager amount.
What is a Tote bet in horse racing?

A Tote bet in horse racing involves wagering on a horse race event through the Tote pool betting system. It can include various types of bets, such as win, place, exacta, trifecta, placepot, and more.
How is a Tote bet different from a fixed-odds bet?

The primary difference between fixed odds and Tote betting systems lies in how the odds work. Bookmakers assign the odds on each outcome in the fixed odds option, determining the potential payout a punter can get from the bet. But in the Tote option, the odds and final payout depend on the total pool size and the amount of winning wagers.
When is a Tote bet better than a fixed-odds bet?

Since Tote wager involves punters wagering against each other, it can often offer a better market than the fixed odds option. It is especially true for less popular selections, which typically get less action from punters. So, the payout on less popular runners in Tote bets tends to be higher than you will find on typical fixed-odds options.
Can a Tote bet be made on Royal Ascot?

You can place Tote bets in races at the Royal Ascot and other racing meetings. You can do it at the racecourse, betting outlets, or online.
Should I bet Tote or fixed?

The choice between Tote and fixed odds wagering ultimately depends on your preference, as both options have pros and cons. Fixed odds wagers offer stable odds and certainty in terms of potential payouts. On the other hand, Tote offers a more dynamic system where the odds and payout depend on the volume of wagers in the pool.
How to calculate Tote bets?

The odds, also known as the dividend of Tote bets, are calculated by dividing the total pool size by the winning bet amount. If your prediction wins, your payout will be the product of their stake and the dividend. Note that the more complex and exotic Tote bets require more calculations.
How to find Tote bets on Skybet?

To find Tote bets on Skybet and any other bookmaker that offers it, you need to navigate to the horse racing section of the website or app. Then, find the “Tote” out of the available wagering options and click on it. It will reveal all the races available and the bet types offered.
Is Tote betting better?

Not necessarily. Sometimes, Tote bets offer much better odds and payout than the fixed odds market. At other times, the reverse can be the case. Whether Tote or fixed odds betting is better depends on each punter’s preferences.
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Author

Rebecca Martin

Writer & Media

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