Introduction to Tote Betting
'Tote' is short for Totalisator. Tote Betting is similar to a Lottery in that stakes are pooled. The pool operator's profits come from a fixed deduction taken from the pool. The winning bets are determined by the outcome of the race(s) that relate to the pool. The pool less the deduction is divided by the number of winning units to give a dividend.
Tote customers are betting into a common pool. Participants in the pool are betting against one another, whereas when placing a bet with a traditional bookmaker they are betting against the bookmaker. Tote odds may fluctuate according to the pattern of betting and the amount of money staked on each selection. Like the Lottery, Tote customers are hoping for a large pool and few winners to share the pool with.
Tote pools can relate to a single race (single leg pools) or multiple races (multi-leg pools). Betting ceases at the "off" of each race in a single race pool, or the "off" of the first race in a multi-leg pool.
Tote Betting with Betfair
Betfair has partnered with the licensed Tote operators in various countries to offer Betfair customers a range of Tote pools from across the world. With your existing Betfair account you can place Tote bets on racing in Great Britain, Ireland and Australia.
Commissions & Fees
No commission is payable by Betfair customers on Tote bets. Betfair receives a share of the fixed pool deduction taken by the relevant Tote operator and does not charge an additional fee. See the relevant Tote rules and regulations for full details of pool deduction rates.
Betfair Points
Customers who place Tote bets with Betfair have the additional benefit of earning Betfair points on those bets. Earning Betfair Points can reduce the amount of commission paid on all bets placed on the exchange or Sports betting platform. See the rules and regulations relating to Betfair Points for further details.
Rules and Regulations
Tote rules and regulations can be found via the link on the Tote betting pages of our website. The rules are in accordance with the rules of each Tote operator and vary slightly from country to country. Check the rules and regulations for the specific country and bet type you are betting on for full details.
Introduction to GB Tote
The Horserace Totalisator Board, more commonly known as The Tote (GB Tote) is a British bookmaker. The Tote has over 500 betting shops and outlets on every racecourse in Great Britain. It is the only organisation in Great Britain licensed to run pooled betting for horseracing.
Tote bets placed with Betfair on GB racing will be subject to GB Tote rules and regulations. Full details can be found on the Betfair website under the Tote rules and regulations link.
GB Tote Bet Types
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The Win is a pool bet on the winner of a race. Win pools are operated on all races unless otherwise stated.
Stakes: single selection bets are accepted with a minimum stake of £2, rising in multiples of £0.10.
The Place is a pool bet on selections to place in a race. Place pools are operated on all races that satisfy the place rules below. The place rules also apply to the Placepot and Quadpot bet type.
In races with four runners or fewer there is no place betting. If there are five, six or seven runners, selections must finish in the first two to place.
In races with eight runners or more, selections must finish in the first three to place. There may be a four place pool on handicap races with 16 or more runners.
Stakes: single selection bets are accepted with a minimum stake of £2, rising in multiples of £0.10.
The Placepot is a pool bet on the first six races at a race meeting. Each race that makes up the Placepot is referred to as a leg. Selections must place in each of the six legs to win the bet. The bet must be placed before the start of the 1st leg (1st race).
The Place rules apply – see Place bet type for details. If because of insufficient runners there is no Place pool operating on a given leg of the Placepot then only the winner of the race will qualify as the placed horse.
Non-runners are replaced by the favourite, with the lowest race card number counting if there are joint or co–favourites.
A single line bet consists of one selection for each leg. Permutation bets are possible where more than one selection is made on one or more of the legs. A Placepot perm may resemble the example above. The numbers on the dial refer to the race card numbers of the selections. To calculate the number of lines in a perm, multiply the number of selections in each leg. In this example there are 1 x 1 x 3 x 1 x 1 x 2 = 6 lines in this six leg bet.
Stakes: single–line bets are accepted with a minimum total stake of £1. Perms are accepted with a minimum stake per line of £0.10, provided a minimum of £1 is staked altogether.
If there is no winner of the Placepot, the pool minus deductions is carried forward and added to the next selected Placepot pool (conditions apply).
The Quadpot is a pool bet on four consecutive races at a race meeting. Each race that makes up the Quadpot is referred to as a leg. Selections must place in each of the four legs to win the bet. The bet must be placed before the start of the 1st leg.
The Place rules apply – see Place bet type for details. If because of insufficient runners there is no Place pool operating on a given leg of the Quadpot then only the winner of the race will qualify as the placed horse.
Non-runners are replaced by the favourite, with the lowest race card number counting if there are joint or co–favourites.
A single line bet consists of one selection for each leg. Permutation bets are possible where more than one selection is made on one or more of the legs. A Quadpot perm may resemble the example above. The numbers on the dial refer to the race card numbers of the selections. To calculate the number of lines in a perm, multiply the number of selections in each leg. In this example there are 2 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 12 lines in this four leg bet.
Stakes: single-line bets are accepted with a minimum total stake of £1. Perms are accepted with a minimum stake per line of £0.10, provided a minimum of £1 is staked altogether.
If there is no winner of the Quadpot, the pool minus deductions is carried forward and added to the next selected Quadpot pool (conditions apply).
The Jackpot is a pool bet on the first six races at a meeting. Typically, GB Tote will offer one Jackpot pool per day for a selected meeting. Each race that makes up the Jackpot is referred to as a leg. Selections must win each leg to win the bet. The bet must be placed before the start of the 1st leg (1st race).
Non-runners are replaced by the favourite, with the lowest race card number counting if there are joint or co-favourites.
A single line bet consists of one selection for each leg. Permutation bets are possible where more than one selection is made on one or more of the legs. A Jackpot perm may resemble the example above. The numbers on the dial refer to the race card numbers of the selections. To calculate the number of lines in a perm, multiply the number of selections in each race. In this example there are 1 x 1 x 3 x 1 x 1 x 2 = 6 lines in this six leg bet.
Stakes: single–line bets are accepted with a minimum stake total stake of £1. Perms are accepted with a minimum stake per line of £0.50, provided a minimum of £1 is staked altogether.
If there is no winner of the Jackpot, the pool minus deductions is carried forward and added to the next selected Jackpot pool (conditions apply).
The Scoop6 is a pool bet on six selected races. Each race that makes up the Scoop6 is referred to as a leg. The legs typically consist of races at more than one race meeting. The bet must be placed before the start of the 1st leg.
The Scoop6 pool is subdivided into four separate funds:
Win Fund
All Scoop6 bets automatically qualify for entry to the Win Fund. Selections must win each of the six legs to win a dividend from the Win Fund. Selections that dead heat for first place count as winners.
Place Fund
All Scoop6 bets automatically qualify for entry to the Place Fund. Selections must place in each of the six legs to win a dividend from the Place pool. The Place rules apply – see Place bet type for details.
Bonus Fund
Winners of the win fund qualify for entry to the Bonus Fund the following week, provided they register with the Scoop6 Bonus Fund Hotline within the required deadline. The registration process for the bonus fund is a manual process requiring a telephone call to GB Tote. See GB Tote rules for full details or contact the Betfair helpdesk for further information.
Starting Fund
In any totescoop6 pool, 5% of the amount invested will be allocated to the totescoop6 starting fund. These funds will be held in reserve until after the totescoop6 win fund is next won. At this point, the entire amount held in the totescoop6 starting fund will be carried forward to the next totescoop6 win fund in order to boost the size of that fund.
Non-runners are replaced by the favourite, with the lowest race card number counting if there are joint or co–favourites.
A single line bet consists of one selection for each leg. Permutation bets are possible where more than one selection is made on one or more of the legs. A Scoop6 perm may resemble the example above. The numbers on the dial refer to the race card numbers of the selections. To calculate the number of lines in a perm, multiply the number of selections in each race. In this example there are 1 x 1 x 3 x 1 x 1 x 2 = 6 lines in this six leg bet.
Stakes: single–line bets are accepted with a minimum stake total stake of £2. Perms are accepted with a minimum stake per line of £2.
If there is no winner of the Scoop6, the pool minus deductions is carried forward and added to the next selected Scoop6 pool (conditions apply).
The Super7 is a pool bet on seven races selected by GB Tote. Each race that makes up the Super7 is referred to as a leg. The legs typically consist of races at more than one race meeting. The bet must be placed before the start of the 1st leg and selections must win the race.
The Super7 pool is split into three separate funds – Win Fund, Any 5 and Any 6. All Super 7 bets automatically qualify for entry into all three funds.
Win Fund
The Win Fund payout is the highest and requires seven winning selections to win.
Any 5 or 6 Funds
The Any 5' and Any 6 funds require 5 or 6 winning selections respectively from any of the seven Super7 legs.
If any fund is not won, that portion of the pool less deductions is rolled into the next selected Super7 pool (conditions apply).
Non-runners are replaced by the favourite, with the lowest race card number counting if there are joint or co–favourites.
A single line bet consists of one selection for each leg. Permutation bets are possible where more than one selection is made on one or more of the legs. A Super7 perm may resemble the example above. The numbers on the dial refer to the race card numbers of the selections. To calculate the number of lines in a perm, multiply the number of selections in each race. In this example there are 1 x 1 x 3 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 2 = 6 lines in this seven leg bet.
Stakes: single-line bets are accepted with a minimum stake total stake of £2. Perms are accepted with a minimum stake per line of £2.
The Exacta is a pool bet on the 1st and 2nd horse in the correct order. The Exacta bet can be made more complex through the selection of additional runners – see below.
Reverse Exacta select two horses to finish 1st and 2nd in any order. The Reverse Exacta bet is the equivalent of two Exacta bets. To place a Reverse Exacta use the Exacta bet screen and select two or more horses in the Any Order' column.
Exacta Combination select more than two horses to finish 1st and 2nd in any order. The chance of winning and the cost of the bet increase according to how many selections you make. To place an Exacta Combination use the Exacta bet screen and select two or more horses in the Any Order' column.
A £1 Exacta Combination on 3 horses costs £6
A £1 Exacta Combination on 4 horses costs £12
A £1 Exacta Combination on 5 horses costs £20
Exacta Examples
The following are some examples of Exacta bet types and scenarios in which the bets would win. The Total Stake is calculated as the number of winning outcomes multiplied by the unit stake (always £1 in these examples):
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Sample Race Card |
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1. New Approach |
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2. Casual Conquest |
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3. Tartan Bearer |
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4. HenrytheNavigator |
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5. Curtain Call |
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6. Frozen Fire |
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Bet Type |
Selections |
Unit Stake |
No. Of Lines |
Total Stake |
Winning Race Outcome |
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1st |
2nd |
Any Order |
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Exacta |
2 |
4 |
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£1 |
1 |
£1 |
1st 2 2nd 4 1 winning outcome |
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Reverse Exacta |
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1, 3 |
£1 |
2 |
£2 |
1st 1 2nd 3 OR 1st 3 2nd 1 2 winning outcomes |
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Exacta Combination |
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1, 2, 4 |
£1 |
6 |
£6 |
1st 1 Or 2 Or 4 2nd 1 Or 2 Or 4 6 winning outcomes |
The Trifecta is a pool bet on the selected race. Select three horses to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order to win the bet.
Trifecta Combination – select more than three horses to finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any order. The chance of winning and the cost of the bet increase according to how many selections you make. To place a Trifecta Combination use the Trifecta bet screen and select three or more horses in the Any Order' column:
A £2 Trifecta Combination on 3 horses costs £12
A £2 Trifecta Combination on 4 horses costs £48
A £2 Trifecta Combination on 5 horses costs £120
Stakes: A single Trifecta bet is three selections to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order. Single bets are accepted with a minimum stake of £2, rising in multiples of £2.
Trifecta Examples
The following are some examples Trifecta bets and scenarios in which the bets would win. The bet costs are calculated based on £2 unit stake. The number of winning outcomes multiplied by the unit stake gives the Total Stake:
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Sample Race Card |
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1. New Approach |
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2. Casual Conquest |
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3. Tartan Bearer |
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4. HenrytheNavigator |
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5. Curtain Call |
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6. Frozen Fire |
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Bet Type |
Selections |
Unit Stake |
No. Of Lines |
Total Stake |
Winning Race Outcome |
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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Any Order |
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Trifecta |
1 |
4 |
6 |
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£2 |
1 |
£2 |
1st 1 2nd 4 3rd 6 1 winning outcome |
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Trifecta Combination |
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1, 4, 6 |
£2 |
6 |
£12 |
1st 1 Or 4 Or 6 2nd 1 Or 4 Or 6 3rd 1 Or 4 Or 6 6 winning outcomes |
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Trifecta Combination |
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1, 4, 5, 6 |
£2 |
24 |
£48 |
1st 1 Or 4 Or 5 Or 6 2nd 1 Or 4 Or 5 Or 6 3rd 1 Or 4 Or 5 Or 6 24 winning outcomes |
The Swinger is a pool bet on the selected race. Select two horses to finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any order to win the bet. Selections can finish 1st & 2nd, 1st & 3rd or 2nd & 3rd.
Swinger Combination select more than two horses to finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any order. The chance of winning and the cost of the bet increase according to how many selections you make. To place a Swinger Combination use the Swinger bet screen and select two or more horses in the Any Order' column:
A £1 Swinger on 2 horses costs £1
A £1 Swinger combination on 3 horses costs £3
A £1 Swinger combination on 4 horses costs £6
A £1 Swinger combination on 5 horses costs £10
Banker Swinger – Use Bankers if you are confident about one selection finishing in the first three but are unsure about the other finisher(s) in the top three. The Banker bet has fewer winning outcomes than a Swinger Combination with the same number of selections and is therefore cheaper.
Select a Banker, together with two or more other selections. The Banker must finish in the top three. Your other selections must fill at least one of the remaining top three positions. The cost of including a Banker with other selections is set out below. All bet costs assume a £1 stake:
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1 Banker |
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+2 others – £2 |
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+3 others – £3 |
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+4 others – £4 |
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+5 others – £5 |
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+6 others – £6 |
Stakes: single Swinger bets (two selections) are accepted with a minimum stake of £1, rising in multiples of £1.
Swinger Examples
The following are some examples Swinger bets and scenarios in which the bets would win. The bet costs are calculated based on £1 unit stake. The number of winning outcomes multiplied by the unit stake gives the Total Stake:
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Sample Race Card |
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1. New Approach |
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2. Casual Conquest |
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3. Tartan Bearer |
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4. HenrytheNavigator |
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5. Curtain Call |
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6. Frozen Fire |
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Bet Type |
Selections |
Unit Stake |
No. Of Lines |
Total Stake |
Winning Race Outcome |
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Banker |
Any Order |
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Swinger |
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1, 4 |
£1 |
1 |
£1 |
6 winning outcomes |
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Swinger Combination |
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1, 4, 6 |
£1 |
18 |
£3 |
1st 1 Or 4 Or 6 2nd 1 Or 4 Or 6 3rd 1 Or 4 Or 6 18 winning outcomes |
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Swinger Combination |
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1, 4, 5, 6 |
£1 |
36 |
£6 |
1st 1 Or 4 Or 5 Or 6 2nd 1 Or 4 Or 5 Or 6 3rd 1 Or 4 Or 5 Or 6 36 winning outcomes |
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Banker Swinger |
3 |
2, 4, 5 |
£1 |
18 |
£3 |
1st 3 2nd 2 Or 4 Or 5 3rd 2 Or 4 Or 5 OR 1st 2 Or 4 Or 5 2nd 3 3rd 2 Or 4 Or 5 OR 1st 2 Or 4 Or 5 2nd 2 Or 4 Or 5 3rd 3 18 winning outcomes |
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