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What is Dutch Betting in Horse Racing?

Dutch betting lets you cover multiple horses in a race while ensuring a consistent return — a smart play for strategic bettors.

Rob Lawson avatar
Written by Rob Lawson
Updated over 3 months ago

Ever wanted to back more than one horse in a race — without losing money if one wins? That’s the idea behind Dutch betting. It’s a staking method where you bet on multiple horses in the same race, carefully adjusting amounts so you profit no matter which of them wins. On MyWinners, Dutch betting is a clever way to turn uncertainty into advantage.


What is Dutch betting in horse racing?

Dutch betting is a strategy where you bet on two or more horses in a race and adjust your stake on each one so the potential payout is roughly the same, regardless of which wins.

It’s great when:

  • You’ve narrowed a race to 2–3 contenders

  • You want to avoid going “all-in” on one

  • You’re betting into a big pool and chasing value


How to calculate a Dutch bet

Let’s say Horse A is 5/2 and Horse B is 4/1 and you want to win $100:

  • Bet ~$40 on Horse A

  • Bet ~$28.57 on Horse B

If either wins, you net about $100 (minus takeout). There are online calculators, but the principle is simple: stake more on shorter odds, less on longer odds.


Why Dutch betting appeals to sharp bettors

  • Reduces variance when you can’t decide on a single horse

  • Gives you more live action in one race

  • Helps you extract profit from value overlays

  • Works well with tight fields or when multiple longshots are in play


💡 Did You Know? The name 'Dutch Betting' comes from Arthur Flegenheimer — aka “Dutch Schultz” — a 1920s gangster who allegedly used this method at racetracks before taking his “system” to more… aggressive ventures.


Frequently Asked Questions

How does Dutch betting in horse racing differ from boxing multiple horses?

Boxing involves covering multiple outcomes in exotics like exactas or trifectas. Dutch betting is focused on win bets, using calculated stakes to secure a level return regardless of which horse wins.

Can Dutch betting in horse racing be combined with live odds changes?

Yes — many bettors adjust their stakes just before post time based on late money and odds shifts to maintain consistent profit margins across their selections.

Are there tools to help with Dutch betting in horse racing?

Yes, several free Dutch betting calculators online let you input odds and target returns, automatically calculating the stake per horse to equalise your payout.

What types of races are best for Dutch betting in horse racing?

Dutch betting works best in small to mid-size fields (6–10 runners), especially when you see two or three horses with realistic chances and favourable odds.

Can I use Dutch betting in horse racing with exotic pools like Pick 3s or Pick 4s?

While Dutch betting is designed for single-race win pools, you can apply similar stake balancing principles to cover multiple sequences — though the math and risk increase significantly.

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