Since P.P.M. began several years ago, we have learned one most important point about the punting habits of our readers and it's that you LOVE backing trifectas.
More than half the hundreds of letters we receive are concerned with the ins-and-outs of trifecta betting. It seems clear that most punters regard the trifecta in much the same way they regard Lotto as a potential source of a lot of money for a small outlay.
This is true. The only trouble is that trifectas are difficult to strike, unless you outlay a LOT of money! Well, that's the basic thinking. But, as we have explained in previous P.P.M's, there are ways you can attack the trifecta and make money without spending too much cash upfront.
Until recently, most trifecta betting centred on 'boxes' and 'banker' boxes. We all know-or should know by now-that you can couple up various numbers of horses or dogs in a 'box' or take one or two of them as bankers, with other animals to run 2nd and 3rd.
But this article is all about real multiple trifecta betting. This form of betting on the trifectas enables you to choose any combination of runners you wish. With a multiple bet you pick as many runners as you like to come first, as many additional runners as you like to run 2nd and 3rd.
You might want to couple up four horses to win the race, with eight horses to run 2nd (including the lst selections) and nine horses (including your lst and 2nd selections) to run 3rd. How much would a bet like this cost you? Well, for 50 cent units you'd be up for $98.
Obviously, most punters are not going to want to spend this amount of money. My estimation is that for each multiple trifecta the average punter would not want to outlay more than $20.
Okay, what can we get for a linkup multiple for this amount of money? You could have a 2 x 5 x 7 multiple for $20 (in 50 cent units), or a 2 x 4 x 8 for $18, or maybe you'd like a 2 x 4 x 9 for $21?
Do you see what I'm getting at? The multiple gives you a broad range of options. If you're loaded, and you fee, a big trifecta divvy can be obtained, you could go as far as a 5 x 9 x 10 multiple for $160 (50c units). How would this work?
Okay-you pick five horses to run the lst spot. You include all these five for 2nd, as well as choosing another four to run 2nd. Then you use all these nine horses and add one more to run 3rd.
The chart that accompanies this article tells you exactly how much each multiple trifecta will cost you. If you don't have this around when you are working out a cost, you have to go through a rather tricky calculation.
It goes like this:
Multiply the number of selections for Ist x the number of selections for 2nd x the number of selections for 3rd. With this total you add (+) twice the number of selections which are common to each of the three legs. Then this figure is minus (-) the number of selections for lst multiplied by the number of selections common to 2nd and 3rd. You then add (+) the number of selections for 2nd multiplied by the number of selections common to lst and 3rd. Then you add on again the number of selections for 3rd multiplied by the number of selections common to 1st and 2nd.
Let's say you had horses 1 and 2 to win, horses 1/2/3.for 2nd and horses 1/2/3/4 for 3rd. The formula would work like this:
2 x 3 x 4 = 24 + Nos 1/2 twice = 28.
Then
2 x 3 = 6 PLUS 3 x 2 = 6 PLUS 4 x 2 = 8
= total of 20 when added together.
Deduct 20 from 28 and you have 8, which is the number of combinations for the trifecta multiple, a $4 outlay at 50 cents each.
As you can see, it will pay you to keep very handy the chart we have compiled for you on this page! Multiple trifectas are a great way to operate and get away from the old 'box' and 'banker' approach to this form of betting.
By Statsman
PRACTICAL PUNTING - SEPTEMBER 1988