Pick 4 Calculator: Master Four-Race Betting Sequences

The Pick 4 challenges you to select winners in four consecutive races—a sweet spot between the Pick 3's accessibility and the Pick 6's massive payouts. Our free calculator helps you build strategic tickets within any budget.

What Is a Pick 4 Bet?

The Pick 4 requires picking the winner of four designated consecutive races. It offers larger payouts than exactas or trifectas while being more achievable than Pick 5s or Pick 6s.

Quick Answer: Pick 4 cost = Legs multiplied together × base bet. A $1 ticket with 2-3-2-4 horses costs 2×3×2×4 = 48 combinations = $48. The Pick 4 hits the balance between coverage cost and payout potential, making it ideal for serious handicappers.

How to Use Our Free Pick 4 Calculator

Use the Pick 4 Calculator →

Enter your selections to see total cost and combinations instantly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Selections Per Leg: Number of horses in each of four races

2. Set Base Bet: Usually $0.50 or $1.00 minimum

3. View Total Cost: See exact ticket price

4. Adjust as Needed: Balance coverage against budget

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Race 1 Selections	Horses picked in first race	2
Race 2 Selections	Horses picked in second race	3
Race 3 Selections	Horses picked in third race	2
Race 4 Selections	Horses picked in fourth race	4
Base Bet	Minimum per combination	$0.50
Total Combos	All selections multiplied	48
Total Cost	Combos × base bet	$24

Pick 4 Combination Formula

Basic Calculation

Total Combinations = Race1 × Race2 × Race3 × Race4
Total Cost = Combinations × Base Bet

Quick Reference Table

Selections	Combinations	$0.50 Cost	$1 Cost
1-1-1-1	1	$0.50	$1
2-2-2-2	16	$8	$16
3-3-3-3	81	$40.50	$81
2-3-2-3	36	$18	$36
1-4-2-3	24	$12	$24
ALL-1-1-1	~10	$5	$10

Cost Scaling

Change	Original	New	Increase
Add 1 horse to 1 leg	2×2×2×2 = 16	3×2×2×2 = 24	+50%
Add 1 horse to 2 legs	2×2×2×2 = 16	3×3×2×2 = 36	+125%
Add 1 horse to all legs	2×2×2×2 = 16	3×3×3×3 = 81	+406%

Pick 4 Strategy

Ticket Construction

Key Principles:

• Use singles where you have strong opinions
• Spread in competitive, unpredictable races
• Balance coverage with budget constraints

Budget	Strategy	Example Structure
$12-24	Selective	1-2-3-2 or 2-2-2-3
$25-50	Moderate	2-3-2-4 or 3-3-2-3
$50-100	Coverage	3-3-3-3 or 2-4-3-4
$100+	Wide	Multiple tickets

A/B/C Horse System

Categorize each race:

• A horses: Strong opinion, use as single
• B horses: Solid contenders, use 2-3
• C races: Wide open, use 4+ horses

Example ticket using A/B/C:

• Race 1: A horse (#5) → Single
• Race 2: B race (##2, 7, 9) → 3 horses
• Race 3: A horse (#3) → Single
• Race 4: C race (#1, 4, 6, 8) → 4 horses

Cost: 1×3×1×4 = 12 combinations = $12 at $1

Finding Value

Target favorable pools:

• Weekday racing (smaller pools, less sharp money)
• Non-mandatory payout days
• Cards with competitive races (higher payouts)

Real-World Pick 4 Examples

Example 1: Strong Opinions ($12)

Analysis:

• Race 1: Lock horse #4 (single)
• Race 2: Two logical contenders (3, 7)
• Race 3: Lock horse #2 (single)
• Race 4: Competitive, use six (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9)

Cost: 1 × 2 × 1 × 6 = 12 × $1 = $12

Example 2: Spread Approach ($48)

Analysis: Less certain across the card

Structure: 2-3-2-4 Cost: 2 × 3 × 2 × 4 = 48 × $1 = $48

Example 3: Budget Conscious ($18)

Analysis: Strong in two races, uncertain in two

Structure: 1-3-1-6 Cost: 1 × 3 × 1 × 6 = 18 × $1 = $18

Logic: Singles in confident races, wider in uncertain ones

Pick 4 vs. Other Multi-Race Bets

Bet Type	Races	Difficulty	Typical Payout
Daily Double	2	Easiest	$20-$200
Pick 3	3	Easy	$50-$500
Pick 4	4	Moderate	$100-$2,000
Pick 5	5	Hard	$500-$10,000
Pick 6	6	Hardest	$1,000-$100,000+

The Pick 4 offers the best balance of challenge and achievability.

Common Pick 4 Mistakes

1. Too Many Singles: All singles (1-1-1-1) rarely hits. One upset ruins everything.

2. Over-Spreading: 4-4-4-4 costs $128+ per $0.50. Rarely justified.

3. Ignoring Favorites: Chalk wins often. Excluding favorites from multiple legs is high-risk.

4. Unbalanced Tickets: Either too tight or too spread. Match coverage to confidence.

5. Chasing Carryovers Only: Normal Pick 4 pools offer value too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the minimum Pick 4 bet?

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

Can I box a Pick 4?

No—Pick 4s require winners in order. Each leg is a separate race with a single winner selection per combination.

What happens if a race is canceled?

The canceled race typically becomes "ALL" (all horses win), reducing the Pick 4 effectively to a Pick 3.

Should I play Pick 4 or Pick 3?

Pick 4 offers better payouts but is harder to hit. If you have opinions across four races, Pick 4 provides better value. For three-race cards, Pick 3 is fine.

How do consolation payouts work?

Most Pick 4s don't have consolations—you need all four winners. Some tracks offer reduced payouts for 3 of 4.

Is the Pick 4 better value than exactas?

Different bets serve different purposes. Pick 4s leverage multiple race opinions; exactas focus on single-race order. Use both strategically.

Advanced Pick 4 Concepts

Multiple Ticket Strategy

Instead of one large ticket:

• Build 2-3 tickets covering different scenarios
• Ticket A: Main contenders
• Ticket B: Upset scenarios
• Avoid combination overlap

Part-Wheel Approach

Focus coverage strategically:

• Use ALL in one wide-open race
• Single strong opinions
• Moderate elsewhere

Example: 1-ALL-2-3 covers every horse in Race 2 while being selective elsewhere.

Weather and Track Bias

Adjust selections for:

• Track condition changes (fast → sloppy)
• Post position biases (rail vs. outside)
• Running style advantages (speed vs. closers)

Pick 4 Pools and Payouts

Understanding Pool Dynamics

Pool Size	Typical Payout	Competition
$10,000	Lower	Less sharp money
$50,000	Moderate	Mixed field
$100,000+	Higher potential	More competition

Takeout Rates

Pick 4 takeout typically ranges 15-25%, lower than many exotic bets. This makes Pick 4s relatively good value among multi-race wagers.

Pro Tips for Pick 4 Betting

• Study all four races: Don't neglect any leg—one wrong pick costs everything

• Check scratch sheets: Late scratches change race dynamics

• Consider carryovers: But don't ignore normal pools

• Use multiple tickets: Cover different "if this, then that" scenarios

• Track your results: Learn which approaches work for you

Related Horse Racing Calculators

• Pick 6 Calculator - Six-race challenge
• Pick 3 Calculator - Three consecutive winners
• Daily Double Calculator - Two-race betting
• Trifecta Calculator - Single race exotic
• Exacta Calculator - First two finishers

Conclusion

The Pick 4 offers horse racing's best balance of challenge and reward. Our free calculator shows exact costs for any ticket structure, helping you build strategic wagers within your budget. Whether you're playing singles with strong opinions or spreading for coverage, understanding your combinations is essential.

Calculate Your Pick 4 Ticket Now →

Master the Pick 4, and you'll find consistent value in multi-race wagering. Use the calculator to experiment with different structures until you find the approach that matches your handicapping style and bankroll.