Boxing Numbers in an Exacta Bet
Boxing numbers in an exacta bet means that all numbers chosen are put in every possible combination to provide a greater possibility of correctly selecting the first two finishers.

If the numbers 1, 2, and 5 are boxed, the combinations of 1-2, 1-5, 2-1, 2-5, 5-1, and 5-2 are covered.

As long as the first two finishers involve the numbers 1, 2, or 5, the boxed ticket is a winner. The more numbers used in a box, the greater the number of possibilities covered. However, the more numbers boxed, the greater the cost to cover the wager.

 

# of choices # of combinations $ amount of bet Cost of bet
2
2
$1 ($2)
$2 ($4)
3
6
$1 ($2)
$6 ($12)
4
12
$1 ($2)
$12 ($24)
5
20
$1 ($2)
$20 ($40)
6
30
$1 ($2)
$30 ($60)
7
42
$1 ($2)
$42 ($84)
8
56
$1 ($2)
$56 ($112)
9
72
$1 ($2)
$72 ($144)
10
90
$1 ($2)
$90 ($180)
11
110
$1 ($2)
$110 ($220)
12
132
$1 ($2)
$132 ($264)
13
156
$1 ($2)
$156 ($312)
14
182
$1 ($2)
$182 ($364)

 

A simple rule to remember to compute the cost of a boxed exacta wager would be as follows: the number of horses to be boxed MULTIPLIED by the next lowest number MULTIPLIED by the dollar amount of the wager. EXAMPLE: A five-horse exacta box for $3 would be computed 5 (number of horses to be boxed) x 4 (next lowest number) x 3 dollar amount of the wager) = $60.