Tracks go with .50 Min's on P-3/4's because that's what the public wants.......as a result of the lower min's the handle on the Multi's goes up......so that's good for the track also.
It's a tax break for the player also if the payoff stays under $600 via a .50 score{no IRS window visit}.

Those are bailout numbers. Staggering when put into detail.

Are the opinions in your post and the one before it mutually exclusive? Handle on multi-race bets is increasing, especially the Pick 4 and Pick 5, even in the midst of a handle decline. Of course, those bets were not offered en masse in the late 90s and early 00s when handle surged.

Personally, until I see real data, I can't get a handle on what lower minimums have done to payouts. I do know that it allows sophisticated bettors additional opportunities at more coverage, and does invite people who otherwise would not to get into the pools. The tax ramifications are also positive, so there's plenty to like.

If you isolate Derby weekend, the super goes to a $1 minimum, and I find it almost unplayable at that price point. That's just a personal opinion, which I think most of these are until someone produces actual research.

You are right it is my personal opinion but that opinion is based upon what I am seeing here on the Picks thread. I don't see anyone that is profitable playing strictly P4's. I see people betting the same amount of money they played at $1 price point and hitting at a much higher percentage but the payouts seem way lower. I'd love to see some research myself but I don't think it will happen. When did Saratoga institute .50 P4's? I'll do some informal.

While I think 80% of the bets on the picks thread anymore are not real amounts being wagered the real bettors are getting more coverage using a $.50 bet thus more winning tickets. I personally only play pick 4s once in a while when I think there is value using a $.50 bet. I try to keep ticket $50 or under. Seeing $500 tickets to me is crazy on a pick 4. I'm still of the belief the doubles give you the most bang for your buck.

Surely there are some former triple bettors out there... I get the tax thing, but the triple at haff a buck makes it unplayable. When you hit one, you gotta get paid,and you don't anymore. Dime supers are a joke .wouldnt haff a buck there be a happy medium ? At least the pick 3 being a buck makes it ok to play. Make the double a deuce like the real,old days. A $5 min exacta one race a day would be awesome too in the last race

They aren't maximums....they're minimums.

Enough with all this minimum talk, when is the late Pick 5 coming to the rest of the NYRA calendar?

:tro:

my guess- belmont super sats, when at least 10 races, and '17 spa season ;)

Late P5 starts Saturday and on other cards with 10 or more..

It's a start, I guess.

Wish they would use their social media to poll their followers on preference of early or late pick 5.

I'd be astounded if the late pick 5 didn't have the majority of votes.