Quinella Bets are a good idea to start with in case you want to spice up and improve your racing bets. In this quinella bets guide, we are going to explain all the information you need to know about quinella betting!
Quinella Bets Guide
Quinella Bets Explained
Want to know how to pick the top two finishers in Horse, Greyhound or Harness racing? Read through the expert advice by AustralianBettingSites “Quinella Bet Explained” section to get started.
Basically, a quinella is one of the most common exotic bets for horse racing betting apps and sites. This is where you select two runners to finish first and second in either order. It is an easy and tactical alternative that allows punters an opportunity to win higher amounts compared to the usual win or place betting.
Quinella Betting Strategies
Ok, we’ve talked a bit about quinella bet meaning and why it’s a good thing to use. Now let’s chat about some ultimate quinella betting strategies. Though a quinella may appear as a basic bet of picking two runnerts, wise punters understand that there is a lot of strategy to it, just like any sport, such as Tennis betting. These five quinella betting strategy factors are proven:
- The Two-Horse Standout: Back two standout runners you feel are way above the field. Commonly used in Melbourne Cup tips every November.
- Favourite + Value Runner: Combine the favourite in the race with a roughie that you believe has been underestimated. It’s also a good one in Greyhound betting.
- Boxed Quinella with 3–5 Runners: When you box 3 to 5 runners in quinella bets, you have lots of combinations and more chances to win.
- Speed Map Strategy: The speed map will help identify runners that are likely to get up towards the front for quinella betting. New betting sites probably won’t have a speed map, so try and use more established ones.
- Form vs Conditions Split: Select a horse on good form and team him up with a horse that fits the conditions of the day (track bias, wet track, distance and so on). Sort of like how NRL tips or AFL tips are built.
All Quinella Bet Types
Placing quinella bets is more than a single option, and knowing the different types of quinella can give you an advantage. The following is a table of the key variations of quinella betting rules, and examples of each:
| Bet Type | How it Works | Example Bet | Winning Bet | Losing Bet |
| Standard Quinella | This is the most straightforward type. You select two runners, and if they finish 1st and 2nd in any order, you win. | You pick Horse 4 and Horse 7. | If the result is 4-7 or 7-4 → You win | One of your runners doesn’t finish 1st or 2nd |
| Boxed Quinella | You can select three or more runners, and any two of them finishing 1st and 2nd (in any order) | You box runners 2, 6, and 9. | Winning combos: 2-6, 2-9, 6-9 (in either order) | If it’s 5-3 → You lose |
| Standout Quinella | You choose one or more key runners (standouts) to run either 1st or 2nd, and pair them with other runners. | You pick Horse 1 as your standout, and combine it with 3, 5, and 7. | Possible winning combos: 1-3, 1-5, 1-7 (in any order) | If it's 3-5 → You lose (your standout didn’t place top two) |
Quinella vs Exacta
Both quinella bet horse racing and exacta bets involve you having to select the first two runners in the race, but here is the difference: in an exacta, you have to have the order right, and in a quinella, you do not.
| Bet Type | How it Works | Example Bet | Winning Bet | Losing Bet |
| Quinella | Pick two runners to finish 1st and 2nd in any order | You back runners 3 and 5. | If the result is 3-5 or 5-3 → You win | One of your runners doesn’t finish 1st or 2nd |
| Exacta | Pick two runners to finish 1st and 2nd in exact order | You back 3 to win and 5 to run second. | Result must be 3-5 → You win | If it’s 5-3 → You lose |
Which Should You Choose?
- When you are sure two runners will be in the top two, but not sure in what order, go with a quinella. Generally, horse racing tips will focus on quinellas since it’s a bit safer to get right.
- Select an exacta when you feel you have the finishing order pegged down to the letter of the law and want to get a larger payoff.
Quinella vs Trifecta
Quinella and trifecta are popular exotic bets at betting sites in Australia. With larger payouts than a win or place bet, a trifecta is much more difficult to win. Whereas a quinella requires you to select the two best finishers in any order, a trifecta requires the top three finishers in correct order.
| Bet Type | How it Works | Example Bet | Winning Bet | Losing Bet |
| Quinella | Pick two runners to finish 1st and 2nd in any order | You back runners 2 and 6. | Results of 2-6 or 6-2 → You win | One of your runners doesn’t finish 1st or 2nd |
| Trifecta (Boxed) | Pick three runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd | You back 2 to win, 6 to run second, and 9 to run third. | Runner 2, 6 and 9 all finish in the top three (any order) | One of your runners doesn’t finish 1st or 2nd or 3rd |
Which Should You Choose?
- Select a quinella racing bet when you are after a good opportunity to get a payout by supporting two probable placegetters. Also, some sites like to offer betting bonuses for these bets too.
- Take a trifecta when you have a big dividend that you believe you know how the top three will end up, or when you are boxing your trifecta.
Straight Quinella vs Box Quinella
Ok, in this section, let’s chat about quinella vs boxed quinella. Both bet forms are to guess on the first two runners of a race, the difference being flexible, price, and the number of runners you can bet on. Straight quinella betting is more specific and less costly, whereas a boxed quinella provides you with additional coverage as it involves more runners.
| Bet Type | How it Works | Example Bet | Winning Bet | Losing Bet |
|
Straight Quinella | Pick exactly two runners. They must finish 1st and 2nd in any order | You back runners 1 and 4. | Result is 1-4 or 4-1 → You win | If another horse runs 2nd → You lose |
| Boxed Quinella | Pick three or more runners | You box runners 1, 4, and 7. | Winning combos: 1-4, 1-7, 4-7 (in any order) | One of your runners doesn’t finish 1st or 2nd |
Which Should You Choose?
- Straight quinella betting is good when you are sure of the first two finishers.
- Boxed quinella bets work when you are less confident or you want to cover several possibilities, especially when the field is unpredictable.
Quinella Bet Tips
FAQs
What is a Quinella bet?
This is a bet type where you pick two runners to come first and second in any order (if it's boxed).
How does Quinella betting work?
The bets are all pooled together and in the event that the two runners you chose to win run first and second (in either order), then you have a share in the pool dividend payment.
What is the difference between an Exacta and a Quinella?
An exacta makes you select the first two runners to finish in the right order. Whereas a quinella allows them to finish in any order.
What is an example of a Quinella bet?
When you bet on quinella, you win when you back runners 3 and 7 and they run in 1st and 2nd (either way).
What is the difference between Quinella and Perfecta?
A perfecta (or exacta) requires exact finishing order of 1st and 2nd, whereas a quinella does not.
What pays more, Exacta or Quinella?
Exactas tend to be more valuable than quinellas since it is more difficult to select the exact order.
What is the difference between a Quinella and a Trifecta?
A quinella is a bet that needs the first two finishers in either order, whereas a trifecta needs the first three finishers.
What are the rules for Quinella?
You are required to take two runners to finish 1st and 2nd in any order (if boxed); in case one of the runners is scratched, your money is returned.
How does a Quinella payout work?
The whole pool (minus the commission) is divided between all the winning tickets, and your payoff will vary according to the amount you have bet.
What is a Boxed Quinella Bet?
Boxed quinella enables you to choose three or more runners, and you win when any two of them come in the top two, in any order.
Matt is a sports and racing writer who has been working in the field since 2016. He has provided betting tips for some of the biggest companies in the market, including Sportsbet, William Hill, PlayUp, and Betr, across a range of sports such as AFL, NRL, NBA, NFL, BBL, MLB, and Horse Racing. He is a serious participant in horse racing as a race horse owner with Viva Racing and a close associate of thoroughbredsales.com.au, the leading racehorse directory in Australia. His betting strategy focuses on identifying trends and using them to generate the best possible tips or advice.
