What Is a Placepot Bet?
A Placepot is a pool bet offered by the Tote, covering the first six races at a predetermined UK or Irish horse racing meeting. for most bets you would focus on picking winners, but in placepots the goal is to select horses that place in each race.
The number of places that qualify as a winning selection depends on the size and type of the race:
- 5–7 runners: Top 2 finishers
- 8+ runners (non-handicap): Top 3 finishers
- Handicaps with 16+ runners: Top 4 finishers
How Do Placepots Work?
You must choose at least one horse in each of the first six races. You can choose multiple horses per race to improve your chances, but bear in mind that this increases your bet.
Bet calculation example:
| Race | Selections |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 horse |
| 2 | 2 horses |
| 3 | 1 horse |
| 4 | 2 horses |
| 5 | 1 horse |
| 6 | 1 horse |
Total lines = 1×2×1×2×1×1 = 4 lines. If your stake per line is £0.50, your total bet is £2.
Placepot Non-Runners
This probably happens more than you would like to think, but what if one of your selections is a non-runner? In the event of a non-runner, the betting site will replace your selection with the horse who was the SP favourite, which in most cases will improve your chances.
What Is the Dividend?
The Placepot dividend is the amount paid per £1 winning line. After deductions, the pool is divided among all successful bets.
Example: If the total pool is £100,000 and there are 400 winning lines, each £1 line wins £250. A £0.50 winning line pays £125.
Dividends are higher when favourites fail to place, especially at major meetings like Cheltenham or Royal Ascot.
Why Bet on a Placepot?
Betting on a Placepot offers a unique mix of value, entertainment, and potential profit. It appeals to a wide range of horse racing fans, from casual punters to experienced gamblers. If you are still a little unsure as to whether placepots are for you we’ve put together a few reasons why the Placepot remains one of the most popular and rewarding bets in UK horse racing.
1. You Stay in the Game Longer
A single Placepot bet spans the first six races at a meeting. This means your interest doesn’t end after one race—your bet stays alive as long as your selections keep placing. It keeps your interest across the entire racecard, not just one or two events.
2. You Don’t Need to Pick Winners
The biggest plus with a Placepot, you only need your chosen horses to finish in a place position. You don’t need to predict who will win. This makes the bet a little easier to hit and especially appealing on racecards with large or unpredictable fields.
3. Low Stakes, High Potential Returns
Placepots can be placed from just £0.10 per line, and many punters bet £0.50 or £1 per line. Despite the low stakes, returns can be large—especially when favourites fail to place and the results surprise the crowd. It’s not uncommon to see four-figure payouts from very small stakes.
4. More Strategic Depth
Building a Placepot bet involves more than picking popular horses. You must study form, field sizes, ground conditions, jockey stats, and more. The way you balance short-priced favourites with riskier selections gives the bet a puzzle-like feel that could reward thoughtful decision-making.
5. Ideal for Big Meetings
The Placepot is especially favourable during high-profile race festivals such as:
- Cheltenham Festival
- Grand National Festival
- Royal Ascot
- Glorious Goodwood
These events feature large fields and unpredictable races, which often lead to bigger pool sizes and higher dividends. They’re the perfect setting for Placepot betting.
6. Accessible Online and In-Person
You can place a Placepot bet at Tote kiosks at the racecourse or through betting websites and mobile apps. Most UK bookmakers now support Tote pools, making Placepot betting convenient from anywhere.
7. Pool Betting Works in Your Favour
Since the Placepot is a pool bet, your return depends on how many other punters win. If you include some outsider selections that others ignore, your share of the pool can be much higher. Outsmarting the crowd can lead to improved potential payouts.
What Is a Banker in Placepot Betting?
A banker is a single selection in a race you’re confident will place. Using bankers helps reduce the number of lines and lowers your total stake.
Smart use of two or three bankers lets you use more selections in trickier races without increasing the cost too much.
How to Pick Placepot Horses
Selecting horses for a Placepot bet is different from picking winners. The aim is to find runners that are likely to finish in the places. Below are ten practical tips to help you make better Placepot selections.
1. Focus on Consistency Over Class
Consistent horses are more valuable than occasional winners. Look for horses that regularly finish in the top three or four. These runners are more reliable and reduce your risk.
Tip: Study recent form figures. Patterns like 3-2-4-2 are better than 1-0-7-0.
2. Pay Attention to Field Size and Place Terms
The number of places available depends on the number of runners:
- 5–7 runners: Top 2 place
- 8+ runners: Top 3 place
- Handicaps with 16+ runners: Top 4 place
Use extra selections in races with fewer places to reduce risk.
3. Use Favourites Sparingly
Favourites often place, but they attract the most bets. This reduces the final dividend. Relying on favourites alone can lower your potential return. Combine them with longer-odds selections to increase value.
4. Cover Unpredictable Races with Multiple Selections
If a race looks open or has several runners in contention, include two or more horses. This is useful in handicaps, maidens, and novice events where the form is less reliable.
5. Don’t Waste Selections Where They’re Not Needed
Use your selections wisely. Avoid using too many picks in races with a clear favourite who is highly likely to place. Save your extra lines for races with more uncertainty.
6. Look for Horses Dropping in Class
Horses stepping down in class often have a better chance of placing. Check each horse’s recent races and compare the class level to today’s competition.
7. Factor in Course and Distance Form
Horses with proven form at the same course or distance are usually more reliable. Look for course and distance markers like “C” or “CD” in the racecard.
8. Use Trainer and Jockey Stats
Trainer and jockey performance can give useful clues. Consider these indicators:
- Trainer’s win/place record at the track
- Recent form over the past 14 days
- Successful trainer-jockey combinations
9. Read the Ground Conditions Carefully
Check the going (soft, heavy, good, firm) and compare it to each horse’s previous runs. Some horses act on any ground, while others need specific conditions to perform well.
10. Use Online Tools and Placepot Builders
Many betting sites and racing platforms offer tools to support Placepot picks. These include:
- Form summaries
- Place strike rates
- Tipster consensus data
- Stake calculators
Using data-backed tools helps reduce guesswork and makes your bets more structured.
A smart Placepot selection strategy combines solid form reading, selective risk-taking, and good money management. Focus on consistent performers, use your selections wisely, and take advantage of available stats and tools to improve your success rate.
Where to Place a Placepot Bet
As you have probably guessed by now, the main bookmaker where you can make a placepot bet is with tote. but there are other option if you don’t bet at the track or if you don’t have a tote account:
- On-course: At track side Tote kiosks
- Online: Tote.co.uk
- Bookmaker apps: Many support Tote pools, including BoyleSport, William Hill, and Betfred
Big Placepot Payouts
Large fields and unpredictable outcomes create high dividends. Notable example:
- Cheltenham 2019: £91,283.30 payout for a £1 stake
Big race days like the Grand National, Cheltenham Festival or Royal Ascot often produce excellent Placepot returns.
Responsible Gambling Reminder
Always gamble within your means. Placepot betting can be entertaining, but it’s not risk-free. Set a budget, stick to it, and never chase losses. For help and support, visit BeGambleAware.org.
Final Thoughts
The Placepot is a great way to enjoy horse racing and test your prediction skills without needing to pick winners. With small stakes, you can be in the running for big returns—especially on unpredictable race days.
If you want a bet that lasts all afternoon, keeps you involved, and offers real value, try the Placepot on your next race day.