Quinella Calculator: Simplify Your Horse Racing Exotic Bets

The quinella is horse racing's most straightforward exotic bet—pick the first two finishers in any order. Our free calculator shows you bet costs, helps compare quinella vs. exacta value, and optimizes your wagering strategy.

What Is a Quinella Bet?

A quinella requires selecting two horses to finish first and second, but unlike an exacta, the order doesn't matter. If your two horses go 1-2 in either order, you win.

Quick Answer: A quinella on horses 3 and 5 wins whether 3-5 or 5-3 finishes top two. It costs half as much as an exacta box (one combination vs. two) but typically pays slightly less than half the exacta. The quinella is simpler but the exacta box often offers better value.

How to Use Our Free Quinella Calculator

Use the Quinella Calculator →

Enter your horse selections to see costs and compare to exacta alternatives.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select Your Horses: Pick two or more horses

2. Enter Base Bet: Minimum $2 at most tracks

3. View Combinations: See total cost for quinella coverage

4. Compare Options: See quinella vs. exacta box value

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Horses Selected	Your picks by number	3, 5, 7
Base Amount	Wager per combination	$2
Bet Type	Straight or box	Box

Quinella vs. Exacta: Key Differences

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Quinella	Exacta
Order matters	No	Yes
2-horse cost	1 combination	2 combinations (box)
Typical payout	Lower	Higher
Complexity	Simple	More options
Availability	Some tracks	All tracks

When Quinella Beats Exacta

Quinella advantage:

• Single combination is simpler
• Lower minimum investment
• Same coverage as exacta box at one price

Example:

• Quinella 3-5: $2 (one bet)
• Exacta box 3-5: $4 (two $2 bets)

But check the payouts:

• Quinella 3-5 pays: $24
• Exacta 3-5 pays: $28
• Exacta 5-3 pays: $32

If you box the exacta for $4, your worst outcome ($28) is higher than quinella ($24). Exacta box often wins the value comparison.

Quinella Combination Formulas

Basic Quinella

Two horses, one combination.

Cost = 1 × Base Bet

Example: $2 quinella 3-5 costs $2

Quinella Box (3+ Horses)

Select multiple horses; any two finishing 1-2 wins.

Combinations = n × (n-1) / 2
Where n = number of horses

Horses	Combinations	Cost ($2 base)
2	1	$2
3	3	$6
4	6	$12
5	10	$20
6	15	$30

Example: $2 quinella box 3-5-7 covers: 3/5, 3/7, 5/7 = 3 combinations = $6

Quinella Wheel

Key one horse with multiple others.

Example: $2 quinella key 3 with 5, 7, 9

• Covers: 3/5, 3/7, 3/9
• Cost: 3 × $2 = $6

Real-World Quinella Examples

Example 1: Two-Horse Quinella

Race Analysis: You like #4 and #8 to finish 1-2 but unsure of order.

Option A: $2 quinella 4/8 = $2 total Option B: $2 exacta box 4-8 = $4 total

If 4-8 finishes:

• Quinella pays: $18
• Exacta 4-8 pays: $22

Analysis: Exacta box costs $2 more but pays $4 more. Exacta box is better value in this case.

Example 2: Three-Horse Quinella Box

Race Analysis: Three horses look competitive.

Bet: $2 quinella box 2-5-9 Cost: 3 combinations × $2 = $6 Covers: 2/5, 2/9, 5/9

Compare to Exacta Box:

• $1 exacta box 2-5-9 = 6 combinations × $1 = $6

Same $6 investment. Exacta box covers both orderings of each pair, potentially capturing higher payouts on less-favored ordering.

Example 3: Quinella Wheel on Favorite

Race Analysis: Horse 3 is dominant; 2nd place uncertain.

Bet: $2 quinella key 3 with 1, 5, 7, 9 Cost: 4 combinations × $2 = $8 Covers: 3/1, 3/5, 3/7, 3/9

Result: If 3 finishes top two with any of your other selections, you win.

Quinella Betting Strategy

Best Uses for Quinella

✅ Tracks without exacta boxing: Some tracks don't offer exacta boxes

✅ Quick, simple bets: Less mental math at the window

✅ Small bankrolls: Lower minimum entry than exacta box

✅ When quinella pays close to exacta: Occasionally happens

When to Prefer Exacta

✅ When you have order opinion: Straight exacta pays more

✅ Value comparison favors it: Usually the case for boxes

✅ More flexible structures: Keys and wheels work better with exactas

Quinella Payout Dynamics

How Quinella Pools Work

• Quinella has its own betting pool
• Smaller pools than exacta at many tracks
• Payout = (Pool × 0.80) / Winning tickets
• 20% typical track take

Pool Size Impact

Pool Size	Payout Characteristics
Small (<$10K)	High variance, potential overlays
Medium ($10K-$50K)	Standard payouts
Large (>$50K)	More efficient pricing

Finding Quinella Value

Compare quinella payout to exacta alternatives:

Rule of thumb: If quinella pays more than half the sum of both exacta payouts, quinella is better value.

Example:

• Quinella 3/5: $30
• Exacta 3-5: $35
• Exacta 5-3: $42
• Half of exacta sum: ($35 + $42) / 2 = $38.50

Quinella ($30) < $38.50, so exacta box offers better value.

Common Quinella Mistakes

1. Assuming Quinella Is Always Cheaper: Compare total cost AND expected payout.

2. Ignoring Exacta Alternative: Exacta box often provides better value for same coverage.

3. Over-Boxing: A 6-horse quinella box (15 combos) costs $30 for $2 base. Expensive for the coverage.

4. Not Comparing Payouts: Check tote board or probable payouts before committing.

5. Forgetting Track Minimums: Some tracks require $2 minimum quinella; exacta might allow $1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all tracks offer quinella?

No. Some tracks have discontinued quinella betting because exacta is more popular. Check track rules before planning quinella bets.

What's the minimum quinella bet?

Usually $2, though some tracks allow $1. Check your track's minimums.

Is quinella easier to hit than exacta?

A quinella and exacta box on the same horses have identical hit rates—both cover the same outcomes. Quinella is just priced as one bet instead of two.

How do I know if quinella is good value?

Compare quinella probable payout to the sum of both exacta probables. If quinella exceeds 50% of that sum, it's relatively better value.

Can I key horses in a quinella?

Yes. A quinella key with horse A and horses B, C, D covers: A/B, A/C, A/D.

What happens in a dead heat?

Quinella still pays if your horses dead heat for first or one is in a dead heat for second. Payouts may be divided.

Quinella Cost Quick Reference

Box Size	Combinations	$2 Cost
2 horses	1	$2
3 horses	3	$6
4 horses	6	$12
5 horses	10	$20
6 horses	15	$30
7 horses	21	$42

Pro Tips for Quinella Betting

• Compare Before Betting: Always check quinella vs. exacta box value

• Small Pool Overlays: Quinella pools can offer value when exacta pools are more efficient

• Combine with Win Bets: If you're confident in a horse to win, pair quinella with win bet for coverage

• Use for Saver Bets: Quinella on favorite + longshot as insurance while betting longshot to win

• Track Your Results: Note when quinella outperformed exacta box—patterns may emerge

Related Horse Racing Calculators

• Exacta Calculator - First two in exact order
• Trifecta Calculator - Top three finishers
• Superfecta Calculator - Top four finishers
• Daily Double Calculator - Two-race winners
• Box Bet Calculator - General box calculations

Conclusion

The quinella offers simplicity in exotic betting, but simple doesn't always mean best value. Our free calculator helps you understand quinella costs and compare them to exacta alternatives, ensuring you make the mathematically smart choice for your horse racing wagers.

Calculate Your Quinella Bet Now →

Before placing your next quinella, run the numbers. Sometimes quinella is the right play; often, exacta box offers better value. The calculator takes the guesswork out, letting you bet with confidence.