Not sure what Pick 6 bets in horse racing means?
Pick 6 bets are one of the most exciting wagers in horse racing, giving bettors the chance to win big by selecting winners across six consecutive races. It’s a challenging bet, but understanding how it works can make it much more manageable.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly what a Pick 6 bet is, go over the rules, and share practical tips to help you improve your chances of winning.
What is a Pick 6 bet?
A Pick 6 bet is a popular multi-race wager in horse racing where you select the winner of six consecutive races. To win the bet, you must correctly predict the winner of all six races in the sequence.
What makes the Pick 6 especially exciting is the carryover feature. If no one correctly selects all six winners on a given day, a portion of the pool rolls over to the next race day, allowing the jackpot to grow. Over time, carryovers can reach hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars at major tracks.
How does a Pick 6 bet work? (rules and payouts)
Making your selections
You choose one horse in each of the six races. You can make a “straight” Pick 6 by selecting just one horse per race. Or, you can “box” multiple horses in some races to cover more combinations.
For example, if you're unsure about Race 5, you can pick two horses there and pick one in the other races, giving you two different Pick 6 combinations.
Pool structure and payouts
All the Pick 6 bets go into a shared pool. The track takes a small percentage before payouts are calculated. The rest is divided among the winning tickets. If there’s more than one winner, they split the pool. If there’s only one winner, they take the entire pool, which can be a huge payout.
If you enjoy large combinational wagers like the Pick 6, you might also be interested in a Goliath bet, which covers 247 combinations from 8 selections.
The carryover system
If no one picks all six winners, the pool doesn't disappear. Instead, most of the pool (usually 75-80%) carries over to the next race day’s Pick 6, and a small part might go to tickets with five correct picks. This makes the jackpot grow over time.
Settlement process
Your Pick 6 ticket is on as long as your horses win. If any of your horses loses, your ticket is eliminated. Only tickets that get all six winners are eligible for the main payout, though some tracks offer smaller payouts for tickets with five correct picks when the pool carries over.
Pick 6 vs. Pick 3: Key differences
Here’s a table that shows how Pick 6 compares to Pick 3.
Feature | Pick 6 | Pick 3 |
Number of races | 6 consecutive races | 3 consecutive races |
Difficulty | Higher | Lower |
Cost | Higher | Lower |
Payout potential | Higher (larger pool and jackpot) | Lower (smaller pool and payouts) |
Carryover feature | Yes (pool carries over to the next day if no winner) | No carryover feature |
Prize pool | Larger (due to more races and carryovers) | Smaller (due to fewer races) |
Strategy | More complex | Simpler |
Consolation prizes | Available for tickets with 5 correct picks (in some cases) | Typically no consolation prizes |
Betting Options | Straight or boxed (more combinations) | Straight or boxed (fewer combinations) |
Best for | Experienced bettors looking for bigger risks and rewards | Casual bettors or those seeking simpler bets |
For bettors who prefer smaller multi-selection wagers, a Lucky 15 provides flexibility with 15 different bets from 4 selections
Strategies for smarter Pick 6 bets
- Use the single and spread strategy: Pick one strong horse in races you’re confident about, and use multiple horses in tougher races to cover more options. For bettors looking to structure multiple combinations across races, a Round Robin bet offers a similar approach to spreading selections
- Stick to a budget: Set a specific amount of your bankroll for Pick 6 bets and avoid betting more to recover losses.
- Play on mandatory payout days: The best Pick 6 chances often happen on days when the whole prize pool is paid out, giving you a shot at a big jackpot.
- Look for vulnerable favorites: Find races where the favorite may not perform well, and bet on longer-shot horses to increase your potential winnings.
- Study past performance and track conditions: Analyzing recent form, jockey/trainer stats, and track conditions can help identify value bets and improve your chances of picking winners.
Conclusion
The Pick 6 bet is one of horse racing’s most exciting wagers, offering the chance for big payouts by correctly picking six consecutive winners. While it’s challenging and more expensive, strategies like betting on mandatory payout days, using the single and spread method, and picking vulnerable favorites can improve your chances of winning.
See our article on: What is a Trifecta Box Bet? (+ How it works in horse racing)
Frequently asked questions
Can I place a Pick 6 bet online or is it only available at the track?
Yes, many online betting platforms and horse racing websites allow you to place Pick 6 bets, so you don’t have to go to the track to participate.
What happens if there’s a tie or disqualification in one of the Pick 6 races?
If there’s a tie, most tracks treat the race as a "no contest," and your stake for that leg is refunded. If a horse is disqualified, the results are typically adjusted, and your bet will be settled accordingly.
Can I place a Pick 6 bet on any race or only on certain events?
Pick 6 bets are usually available on major race days or special events. Not every race has a Pick 6 bet available, as it requires a sequence of six consecutive races to be selected.
Are there any tools or apps that can help me pick the winners for a Pick 6 bet?
Yes, there are several apps and websites offering handicapping tools, expert picks, and race analysis to help you make informed selections for a Pick 6 bet.