What is Duet bet?
A Duet bet is a horse racing wager where you select any two horses to finish among the first three placings. Your bet is successful if your two selections occupy any two of the top three positions, regardless of the order.
Duet bets are primarily offered by Australian TABs and are considered an exotic bet type. In some Australian pari-mutuel pools, a similar bet is referred to as Any2 (A2).
How a Duet bet works
A Duet bet focuses on the first three finishers in a horse race. You select two runners, and your bet wins if both horses finish among the top three, in any order. The bet loses if one or both horses finish fourth or lower or fail to complete the race.
Duet bets are pari-mutuel (pooled) bets, meaning the dividend is not fixed and is calculated after all bets in the pool are closed. You cannot calculate exact “combined odds” before the race. A rough guide for estimating a Duet dividend is to multiply the win prices of your two selections and then divide by six.
Example:
You place a $10 Duet bet on Horse A and Horse B. The exact payout will depend on the total pool and the number of winning bets.
- If Horse A wins and Horse B finishes third, your bet wins.
- If Horse B finishes second and Horse A finishes third, your bet also wins.
- If Horse A wins but Horse B finishes fourth, your bet loses.
If one of your selected horses is a non-runner, that specific combination is void, and your stake is refunded.
ommon variations of Duet bets
Beyond the standard single Duet, there are several variations that allow punters to manage their betting cost, spread risk, and increase winning chances.
Bet Type | How It Works | Key Feature | Example Selections & Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Single Duet | Select two horses to finish among the top three. | A straightforward, single-combination bet with a simple stake. | Horses 5 and 8. Cost: 1 unit. |
Boxed Duet | Choose three or more horses; your bet wins if any two finish in the top three. | Covers all possible pairs from your selections, increasing the chance of a winning combination. | Horses 2, 3, 4. Cost: 3 units (covers 2–3, 2–4, 3–4). |
Standout / Key Duet | Select one “key” horse and pair it with one or more other runners. | Focuses combinations around a strong favourite or “banker”, usually more cost-effective than a full box. | Key Horse 1 with Horses 2, 3. Cost: 2 units (covers 1–2, 1–3). |
Notes:
- Boxed and Key Duets may be considered when the race has several strong contenders, as they increase the chance of winning without covering every possible combination.
- Costs increase with the number of combinations; punters should balance potential return against betting outlay.
- Flexi Betting is available for Duets, allowing you to set a total stake and receive a proportional dividend based on the number of combinations you hold.
Related article: What is a Trifecta Box Bet?
Duet bet vs other similar bets
The Duet bet is part of the wider group of exotic racing wagers, but it differs from other options in terms of finishing order requirements, the number of positions involved, the overall difficulty level and payout.
The table below outlines how these factors compare across common bet types.
Bet Type | How It Works | Finishing Order Matters? |
|---|---|---|
Duet | Select two of the first three placegetters. | No |
Quinella | Select the first two placegetters. | No |
Exacta | Select the first two placegetters. | Yes |
Trifecta | Select the first three placegetters. | Yes |
By contrast:
- The Duet allows either of your selected runners to finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd; it provides a broader margin for success compared to most top-two bet types.
- A Quinella offers order-free outcomes, but both runners must finish only in the top two, giving you fewer combinations that result in a win.
- An Exacta demands precision, making it more suitable for punters who have a strong view on race speed, tempo, or which horse is likely to lead or finish fast.
- The Trifecta remains the most challenging option because it requires identifying all three placegetters and their exact finishing order, which significantly reduces the probability of success.
Conclusion
The Duet bet provides a flexible way to target consistent runners without predicting the exact finishing order. As a pooled exotic, its appeal lies in balancing difficulty, cost, and potential return. It suits punters who want broader winning combinations while still engaging with more advanced horse racing bet types.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I include more than two horses in a Duet bet?
Yes. With a boxed duet, you can select three or more horses. The bet then covers all possible two-horse combinations among your selections. For example, choosing three horses (A, B, and C) gives three possible winning duets: A & B, A & C, and B & C.
What happens if two horses tie?
If a dead heat occurs, payouts are adjusted according to published dead-heat rules. The winnings are typically divided proportionally among all winning tickets, so your return may be reduced, but the bet can still win.
Can Duet bets be included in accumulators?
No. Duet bets are pari-mutuel, meaning the dividend is calculated from a pool after the race. They cannot be combined with other events in a fixed-odds accumulator. You can only combine multiple horses within the same race via a Boxed or Key Duet.
Do all Australian TABs offer Duet bets?
Most major Australian TABs offer Duet bets, although availability can vary by state and by race type. They are most commonly found on thoroughbred and harness races with sufficient field size. If a race has too few runners, the Duet pool may not be offered.
Is a Duet bet still valid if the field size changes after scratchings?
Yes, provided the race still meets the minimum number of starters required for a Duet pool. If scratchings reduce the field below the minimum, the Duet bet is usually cancelled and the stake is refunded. Individual combinations that include a scratched runner are also refunded.