Pick 3 Calculator: Win Three Consecutive Races

The Pick 3 is the most accessible multi-race wager—select winners in three consecutive races for payouts that often exceed single-race exotics. Our free calculator helps you build smart tickets without overcomplicating your strategy.

What Is a Pick 3 Bet?

The Pick 3 requires picking the winner of three designated consecutive races. It's easier to hit than Pick 4s or Pick 6s while still offering attractive payouts.

Quick Answer: Pick 3 cost = Legs multiplied together × base bet. A $1 ticket with 2-3-2 horses costs 2×3×2 = 12 combinations = $12. The Pick 3 is perfect for handicappers who want multi-race action without massive coverage costs.

How to Use Our Free Pick 3 Calculator

Use the Pick 3 Calculator →

Enter your selections to see total cost and combinations instantly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Race 1 Selections: Number of horses in first race

2. Enter Race 2 Selections: Number of horses in second race

3. Enter Race 3 Selections: Number of horses in third race

4. Set Base Bet: Usually $0.50 or $1.00

5. View Results: See total combinations and cost

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Race 1 Horses	Selections in leg 1	2
Race 2 Horses	Selections in leg 2	3
Race 3 Horses	Selections in leg 3	4
Base Bet	Amount per combination	$1.00
Total Combos	R1 × R2 × R3	24
Total Cost	Combos × base	$24

Pick 3 Combination Formula

Basic Calculation

Total Combinations = Race1 × Race2 × Race3
Total Cost = Combinations × Base Bet

Quick Reference Table

Selections	Combinations	$0.50 Cost	$1 Cost
1-1-1	1	$0.50	$1
2-2-2	8	$4	$8
3-3-3	27	$13.50	$27
2-3-4	24	$12	$24
1-2-6	12	$6	$12
ALL-1-1	~10	$5	$10

Cost Progression

Adding horses increases cost multiplicatively:

Original	Add 1 Horse	New Cost	% Increase
2-2-2 = 8	3-2-2 = 12	+4	+50%
2-2-2 = 8	2-3-2 = 12	+4	+50%
2-2-2 = 8	3-3-3 = 27	+19	+238%

Pick 3 Strategy

Ticket Construction Approaches

Conservative (Singles-Heavy):

• Use singles in races with strong opinions
• Spread only in one uncertain race
• Lower cost, higher risk

Balanced:

• Mix of singles and 2-3 horse groups
• Moderate cost, moderate risk

Coverage:

• Spread in multiple legs
• Higher cost, lower risk of missing

Example Strategies by Budget

Budget	Strategy	Structure Example
$6-12	Tight	1-2-3 or 2-2-3
$12-25	Moderate	2-3-4 or 3-3-3
$25-50	Coverage	3-4-4 or 4-3-4
$50+	Wide	Multiple tickets

The Key Horse Method

Identify your strongest opinion and use it as a single:

• Race 1: Key horse #5 (single)
• Race 2: Spread (3 horses)
• Race 3: Spread (4 horses)

Cost: 1×3×4 = 12 combos = $12

This focuses your budget while maintaining coverage.

Real-World Pick 3 Examples

Example 1: Strong Key ($8)

Analysis:

• Race 1: Love #3 on the rail (single)
• Race 2: Two logical horses (4, 7)
• Race 3: Competitive, use four (1, 2, 6, 9)

Cost: 1 × 2 × 4 = 8 × $1 = $8

Example 2: Balanced Approach ($27)

Analysis: Moderate confidence across the card

Structure: 3-3-3

• Race 1: #2, #5, #7
• Race 2: #1, #4, #8
• Race 3: #3, #6, #9

Cost: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 × $1 = $27

Example 3: Upset Hunting ($18)

Analysis: Targeting longshots in two races

Structure: 3-3-2

• Race 1: Include a longshot with two contenders
• Race 2: Same approach
• Race 3: Two solid favorites

Cost: 3 × 3 × 2 = 18 × $1 = $18

Pick 3 vs. Single-Race Exotics

Bet Type	Races	Typical Payout	Skill Required
Win	1	$5-$20	Basic
Exacta	1	$20-$200	Moderate
Trifecta	1	$50-$500	High
Pick 3	3	$30-$500	Moderate

Pick 3s often pay more than exactas with similar difficulty since you're predicting three races correctly.

Common Pick 3 Mistakes

1. All Singles (1-1-1): Three consecutive correct picks is hard. One bad race loses everything.

2. Ignoring Scratches: Late scratches change race dynamics. Check before betting.

3. Overlooking Favorites: Favorites win ~33% of races. Excluding them from multiple legs is risky.

4. Unbalanced Coverage: Being too tight in competitive races or too spread in obvious ones wastes money.

5. Forgetting Takeout: Pick 3 pools have 15-25% takeout. Factor this into expected value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the minimum Pick 3 bet?

Usually $0.50 or $1 per combination, depending on the track.

Can I bet a Pick 3 online?

Yes. Most racing ADWs (Advance Deposit Wagering sites) offer Pick 3 betting on tracks nationwide.

What happens if one race is canceled?

That race typically becomes "ALL"—every horse wins that leg. Your Pick 3 effectively becomes a Daily Double.

Is Pick 3 better than exactas?

Different purposes. Pick 3 rewards handicapping across multiple races; exactas test precision in a single race. Both have their place.

How do payouts work?

All winning tickets split the pool (minus takeout). More winners = lower individual payouts. Unique winning combinations pay more.

Should I play early or late Pick 3s?

Both can offer value. Late Pick 3s often have larger pools and better liquidity. Early Pick 3s may have softer competition.

Advanced Pick 3 Concepts

Multiple Ticket Strategy

Instead of one wide ticket, build two focused tickets:

Ticket A (Chalk): Favorites and logical contenders Ticket B (Bombs): Include longshots with upset potential

This covers different scenarios without overlapping combinations.

Part-Wheel Strategy

Use ALL in one leg strategically:

ALL-1-2: Covers every horse in Race 1, single in Race 2, two in Race 3

Cost-effective when one race is truly wide open.

Pool Analysis

Small pools ($5,000-$15,000):

• Less sharp money
• Potentially softer competition
• More variance in payouts

Large pools ($50,000+):

• More accurate odds
• Tighter payouts
• Better liquidity

Pick 3 Payouts Explained

Factors Affecting Payouts

Factor	Impact
Favorites winning	Lower payouts
Longshots winning	Higher payouts
Pool size	Larger = more stable
Number of winners	More = lower individual payout

Typical Payout Ranges

Scenario	Expected Payout
3 favorites	$10-$30
2 favorites, 1 longshot	$50-$200
1 favorite, 2 longshots	$200-$1,000
3 longshots	$500-$5,000+

Pro Tips for Pick 3 Betting

• Watch morning lines: They indicate public perception before money flows

• Check trainer/jockey combos: Hot connections often indicate live horses

• Note track bias: Inside speed? Deep closers? Adjust selections accordingly

• Don't over-spread: 4-4-4 (64 combos) is usually too wide for Pick 3

• Track results: Learn which strategies work at your favorite tracks

Related Horse Racing Calculators

• Pick 4 Calculator - Four-race challenge
• Pick 6 Calculator - Six-race jackpot
• Daily Double Calculator - Two-race betting
• Trifecta Calculator - Single race exotic
• Exacta Calculator - First two finishers

Conclusion

The Pick 3 offers the perfect entry point into multi-race wagering. Our free calculator shows exact costs for any ticket structure, helping you balance coverage with budget. Whether you're keying a single strong opinion or spreading across competitive fields, understanding your combinations is essential to smart betting.

Calculate Your Pick 3 Ticket Now →

Start with the Pick 3 to develop your multi-race handicapping skills. As you gain confidence, you can move up to Pick 4s and Pick 6s—but the Pick 3 will always remain a valuable tool in your wagering arsenal.