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From vibrant outfits and hats to classic mint juleps, the Kentucky Derby is as much a social celebration as it is horse racing’s premier event.
Known as the “Run for the Roses,” the race draws in many casual viewers — much like the Super Bowl — along with dedicated thoroughbred racing fans and bettors.
We’ve put together a checklist of Kentucky Derby betting pool and party ideas to elevate both your viewing and wagering experience on Saturday, May 2.
Kentucky Derby betting pool ideas
Some say it isn’t a horse race unless you’re betting on it, and now that the Kentucky Derby post positions have been drawn, you can! These Kentucky Derby betting games pair well with friends and, of course, mint juleps, the Kentucky Derby drink of choice.
We’ve rounded up several Derby betting party ideas and tips, including a mix of skill and straight-up guessing games, all designed to enhance your Derby-viewing event. Brush up on how to bet on the Kentucky Derby and get in the game(s)!
Kentucky Derby office pool
To start, build a board that lists all the Kentucky Derby horses slated to race. Next, get each of the pool participants to sign their name next to the horse they think will win the Derby.
Make sure that everybody puts up the same amount of money, and whoever chooses the winning horse must divvy up the pot. If nine out of the 10 participants choose the favorite — and it wins — they will have to split the winnings nine ways. However, if the person that chose an underdog horse wins the pool outright, they get to keep all the proceeds.
Derby hat draw
There should be no shortage of colorful hats on hand. Ask each of your guests to contribute a sum of money to a pool, then place the names of all the Derby horses in a hat. Each participant must then draw a horse’s name from the hat. The pool winner is crowned when a participant has picked the name of the winning horse.
Horse auction
Hold your very own thoroughbred auction, whereby each Kentucky Derby horse is auctioned off to a participant. Keep in mind that the Kentucky Derby odds favorite will fetch a higher price than a long shot. Add the auction sums to a pool, and whoever bought the winning horse at auction scoops it all.
Kentucky Derby odds
| Post | Horse | Track odds |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renegade | 4-1 | <<+400>> |
| 2 | Albus | 30-1 | <<+3000>> |
| 3 | Intrepido | 50-1 | <<+5000>> |
| 4 | Litmus Test | 30-1 | <<+3000>> |
| 5 | Right to Party | 30-1 | <<+3000>> |
| 6 | Commandment | 6-1 | <<+600>> |
| 7 | Danon Bourbon | 20-1 | <<+2000>> |
| 8 | So Happy | 15-1 | <<+1500>> |
| 9 | The Puma | 10-1 | <<+1000>> |
| 10 | Wonder Dean | 30-1 | <<+3000>> |
| 11 | Incredibolt | 20-1 | <<+2000>> |
| 12 | Chief Wallabee | 8-1 | <<+800>> |
| 14 | Potente | 20-1 | <<+2000>> |
| 15 | Emerging Market | 15-1 | <<+1500>> |
| 16 | Pavlovian | 30-1 | <<+3000>> |
| 17 | Six Speed | 50-1 | <<+5000>> |
| 18 | Further Ado | 6-1 | <<+600>> |
| 19 | Golden Tempo | 30-1 | <<+3000>> |
| 20 | Fulleffort | 20-1 | <<+2000>> |
| 21 | Great White | 50-1 | <<+5000>> |
| 22* | Ocelli | 50-1 | <<+5000>> |
| 23* | Robusta | 50-1 | <<+5000>> |
| 24* | Corona de Oro | 50-1 | <<+5000>> |
Odds at FanDuel Racing, one of our best Kentucky Derby betting sites. *Denotes an also-eligible, a horse that needs a scratch (or multiple scratches) from the body of the field in order to run.
Bet the Derby at FanDuel Racing!
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Lucky long shots
Here, you are betting on which horse will finish last, and not first. To crown a winner, simply apply the last-place-wins rule to the above-mentioned games.
Envelopes for sale
Place the name of each Derby horse inside a sealed envelope. Set a price for each envelope that aligns with your group’s wagering expectations and budgets. It could run anywhere from $5 an envelope or $100, depending on what kind of Derby watching crowd you are hosting.
Each participant picks an envelope when they pay for it, but they must not open it. At the conclusion of the race, take turns opening your envelope to see which one holds the winner’s name.
The winner secures the entire pool winnings and bragging rights for the year. The fun here is that participants are encouraged to trade, sell or barter their envelopes any time prior to opening them.
Kentucky Derby betting squares
Long a fixture at any self-respecting Super Bowl party, a betting square can be equally useful and easily adaptable to Kentucky Derby party organizers. We find the easiest way to do it is by betting the exacta. Since there are 20 horses in the field, you should list each of those numbers on one side of the square. Label this the ‘win’ side.
For the opposite side, you need to list all those numbers again, which represents the horse that finishes second. You must cross out the squares where the same numbers meet because a horse can’t finish both first and second in the race.
That leaves 380 possible squares, and only one will be correct. As the organizer, you can set a price that is reasonable for each square — low enough that people can afford to buy several squares, but high enough so the pot is enticing. Whoever buys the winning square takes the entire pot.
Show parlay
Keeping things simple makes it more fun for the group. The Show Parlay is an excellent choice for Derby Day betting since nobody in your group needs to be an expert on horse racing.
Two or more people post a share — think $1, $5, or more — and the group assigns an order for making a show bet in each race. Translation: the horse must finish first, second, or third to collect any winnings.
The first person must choose a horse from the field to show for the group. If that horse finishes in the Top3, the group wins. The next person up cashes that winning ticket and then parlays the winnings back to show in the next race.
Timing “My Old Kentucky Home”
The Derby is a celebration of traditions and the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” is most definitely one of them. The song’s first verse and chorus are proudly recited at the Derby. While some complain about its length, others make spirited bets on the outcome.
Where can I bet on the Kentucky Derby?
Horse racing is legal in nearly every jurisdiction, but several sportsbooks do not post Kentucky Derby odds. Instead, you can turn to legal Kentucky Derby betting sites for your Derby wagering wants and needs. These sites fill the void in jurisdictions where online sports betting is not legal.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
