Is there such a thing as horse betting etiquette? Yes there most definitely is. While you may see chaos at the betting windows with 2 minutes to post time, there is a dynamic at work.
Here are 5 important items you need to know when you are betting horses at the racetrack:
1.) Always know what you are going to bet BEFORE you get to the teller. The absolute worst thing you can do is handicap at the window with little time to post and hemming and hawing while people behind you get shut out of their wagers.
2.) Know what the bets are called BEFORE you get to the window . They have programs at the racetrack specifically designed to tell you what bets are, how to call them out, and how much they cost. Do not waste the teller's time – they are there to collect wagers, not go over the history of racing with you. That's how their performance is judged. While they may smile on the outside, they are definitely not smiling inside.
3.) NEVER go to the window with little time to post to cash a ticket. Wait until after the gate bell rings and people place their bets. Getting someone shut out of a wager while you have no intention on betting the upcoming race is a BIG no-no. This is a recipe for getting a knuckle sandwich.
4.) Have your money ready. Do not be like the elderly lady at the grocery check out and start counting out change with 1 minute to post time while you have a line of people behind you.
Be aware of others.
5.) Never be intimidated by the guy behind you huffing and puffing and mumbling nasty things while you are trying to get your bets in . This only applies if you are not doing any of the above no-no's, too bad for him. Maintain your cool and get your wagers in.
So there you have it. This is a brief but important lesson in racetrack horse betting etiquette that will make everyone's day at the races a much more pleasant experience. Win. Or lose.
Oh, these rules apply to off-track betting, satellite betting and where you are waiting in line to get your bets down. The bottom line is, be civilized and remember the golden rule.