Boxing Numbers in a Trifecta Bet
Boxing numbers in a trifecta bet means that all numbers chosen are put in every possible combination to provide a greater possibility of correctly selecting the first three finishers. If the numbers 1, 2, and 5 are boxed, the combinations of 1-2-5, 1-5-2, 2-1-5, 2-5-1, 5-1-2, and 5-2-1 are covered. As long as the first three finishers involve the numbers 1, 2, and 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
3
6
$1 ($2)
$6 ($12)
4
24
$1 ($2)
$24 ($48)
5
60
$1 ($2)
$60 ($120)
6
120
$1 ($2)
$120 ($240)
7
210
$1 ($2)
$210 ($420)
8
336
$1 ($2)
$336 ($672)
9
504
$1 ($2)
$504 ($1008)
10
720
$1 ($2)
$720 ($1440)
11
990
$1 ($2)
$990 ($1980)
12
1320
$1 ($2)
$1320 ($2640)
13
1716
$1 ($2)
$1716 ($3432)
14
2184
$1 ($2)
$2184 ($4368)

 

simple rule to remember to compute the cost of a boxed trifecta wager would be as follows: the number of horses to be boxed MULTIPLIED by the next lowest number MULTIPLIED by the next lowest number MULTIPLIED by the dollar amount of the wager. EXAMPLE: A five-horse trifecta box for $3 would be computed 5 (number of horses to be boxed) x 4 (next lowest number) x 3 (next lowest number) x 3(dollar amount of the wager) = $180.