A jackpot with a twist: more winners and big money
August 16th, 2013
The biggest difference between betting on the pull of a slot machine and the outcome of a horse race isn't skill; it's the pay table.
Yes, for me and the vast majority of people reading this blog betting on Thoroughbred racing IS a game of skill, but for many--even those who play on a regular basis--it's a gambling exercise same as a slot machine. It's just that results determined by horses is more interesting than a spinning reel.
Before TwinSpires.com introduced its Jackpot 5 wager, the closest horse racing could come to a slot machine pay table was an across the board wager that offered three separate returns for a win, two for a second-place finish, and a single payout for a third-place finish. Unless you're betting a longshot, however, there is nothing close to a jackpot on a Win-Place-Show wager, and even a 100-to-1 return to win pales in comparison to what most slot machines offer on the top line.
And that's why the biggest difference between slots and racing is the pay table. A slot machine (or instant lottery ticket) offers many chances for some profit while also allowing for a jackpot opportunity. Jackpot 5 is TwinSpires.com's attempt to bring that opportunity to horseplayers.
Your $1 Jackpot 5 bet is actually two wagers: A Pick 5 attempting to be the only person to select all five winners and a Pick 5 attempting to finish third or better with your selection in all five races. The former plays for 20% of the net pool while the latter plays for 80%.
Unlike other pari-mutuel wagers with a jackpot provision. the Jackpot 5 is more like a slot machine in this regard as well in that it allocates more money from the pool to the minor award while still offering players a big chance at a big payout--especially with the $25,000 carryover to start things off.
A common complaint regarding super-exotic and/or jackpot wagers is that they're churn killers. They tie up money, only pay out to a handful of winners each day, etc. Jackpot 5 addresses that by returning 80% of the net pool to those who pick 5 consecutive show horses.
Playing Jackpot 5 is easy, but you can only do it on TwinSpires.com. To help you get started, Brisnet.com is providing FREE Ultimate Past Performances and FREE Daily Selections
Yes, for me and the vast majority of people reading this blog betting on Thoroughbred racing IS a game of skill, but for many--even those who play on a regular basis--it's a gambling exercise same as a slot machine. It's just that results determined by horses is more interesting than a spinning reel.
And that's why the biggest difference between slots and racing is the pay table. A slot machine (or instant lottery ticket) offers many chances for some profit while also allowing for a jackpot opportunity. Jackpot 5 is TwinSpires.com's attempt to bring that opportunity to horseplayers.
Your $1 Jackpot 5 bet is actually two wagers: A Pick 5 attempting to be the only person to select all five winners and a Pick 5 attempting to finish third or better with your selection in all five races. The former plays for 20% of the net pool while the latter plays for 80%.
Unlike other pari-mutuel wagers with a jackpot provision. the Jackpot 5 is more like a slot machine in this regard as well in that it allocates more money from the pool to the minor award while still offering players a big chance at a big payout--especially with the $25,000 carryover to start things off.
A common complaint regarding super-exotic and/or jackpot wagers is that they're churn killers. They tie up money, only pay out to a handful of winners each day, etc. Jackpot 5 addresses that by returning 80% of the net pool to those who pick 5 consecutive show horses.
Playing Jackpot 5 is easy, but you can only do it on TwinSpires.com. To help you get started, Brisnet.com is providing FREE Ultimate Past Performances and FREE Daily Selections
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