Pick 4 Budgets

"if i see a false fav i know is gonna get pounded and lose...ie artieshiller.."

Hooves, that's a great strategy and one I loook for allot. Great example with Artie. He seems to always run 2nd at 4-5.

Just curious, what is your main play at the track? Win, Exacta, Tri, Super, Pk3 and 4's?

When I first started I played everything but I quickly learned that youneed to budget your money if your going to win. I mainly play pick 3's and pick 4's and a win bet if I really like a horse.

Good luck today!

[randallscott35]

If I like it enough I'll pay a Pick 4 for 300. Rather include more than less.

[ArlJim78]

I size up the races first and try to read what the fields are telling me. How deep do I have to go? If it looks like there is no place to narrow and you have to go 4-5 wide each race, I look for a different PK4.

I also look for races where I have an opinion or an angle that I like to use or a price play that I think is live. I'm basically looking for somewhere that I feel confident. If I can find that then this is where I will make an anchor and build out from there. If the fields aren't very deep and the chalks look unavoidable in at least a couple of the races, I might press those numbers a little if I like them.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

sorry i cant answer that , its depends on the card and the play..i like all of them but i tend to do more ex box and p-3 and win place..if i have a watch horse going and like him at ata price ill just win plce him..if i like him alot ill try to take the race out..win plc ect tri super key in pick 3s....no what i mean..

[Thunder Gulch]

I usually try to single one race and play three slots on the others, so $81 would be typical...of course, it varies greatly from $40 up to $200. Anything over that, and I'm looking for other ways to get in a race other than P-4

Here is why the Pick 4 is my favorite play. I hit last Fridays late pick 4 at Hollywood for 2500 x 2. I played a 72 dollar ticket and a 24 dollar ticket and hit them both. The odds of the horses were not that great except for one race. It was 5/2, 9-1,5/2, 5-1. Anyone else hit this one. I thought it might pay 1000 but 2500!

Anyway, thanks for everyone's input.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by pk4playa

Here is why the Pick 4 is my favorite play. I hit last Fridays late pick 4 at Hollywood for 2500 x 2. I played a 72 dollar ticket and a 24 dollar ticket and hit them both. The odds of the horses were not that great except for one race. It was 5/2, 9-1,5/2, 5-1. Anyone else hit this one. I thought it might pay 1000 but 2500!

Anyway, thanks for everyone's input.

I didn't play that one but I know from experience how well you can be rewarded even for just avoiding the favorite in a couple of the races. That's why I love the PK4. Many people won't go past 3-4 deep on any race, so if you can catch one of those, the reward is handsome.

Originally Posted by pk4playa

Here is why the Pick 4 is my favorite play. I hit last Fridays late pick 4 at Hollywood for 2500 x 2. I played a 72 dollar ticket and a 24 dollar ticket and hit them both. The odds of the horses were not that great except for one race. It was 5/2, 9-1,5/2, 5-1. Anyone else hit this one. I thought it might pay 1000 but 2500!

Anyway, thanks for everyone's input.

You should set your budget based on the risk v reward factor. I have no problem betting $200 on a pick 4 at any track. But if you find two singles, heck single them and go all and all. Construction of the ticket is much more important that the budget. For example, if I like 6 horses in a 9 horse field, I will select ALL. Why take a risk on one of the 3 I dont like coming in. Construction of ticket outweighs the budget.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by eurobounce

You should set your budget based on the risk v reward factor. I have no problem betting $200 on a pick 4 at any track. But if you find two singles, heck single them and go all and all. Construction of the ticket is much more important that the budget. For example, if I like 6 horses in a 9 horse field, I will select ALL. Why take a risk on one of the 3 I dont like coming in. Construction of ticket outweighs the budget.

VERY VERY TRUE!

Originally Posted by eurobounce

You should set your budget based on the risk v reward factor. I have no problem betting $200 on a pick 4 at any track. But if you find two singles, heck single them and go all and all. Construction of the ticket is much more important that the budget. For example, if I like 6 horses in a 9 horse field, I will select ALL. Why take a risk on one of the 3 I dont like coming in. Construction of ticket outweighs the budget.

Great point!!

[Gander]

I have a friend who is so good he bets $100 straight pick 4's. There are days where he only has 3 singles out of 4, and wants to use 2 horses in one race, so he has to spend $200. I've seen this guy hit a pick 4 that paid $165 having $200 straight on it. His name is Ted. We call him Teddy K Shagbark after an old harness horse.