A Daily Double is a common pari-mutuel wager that asks you to pick the winners of two consecutive races. It matters because the payout depends on the size of the dedicated pool for that pairing and on how many bettors correctly selected the same combination. This guide explains the standard formula to calculate Daily Double payoffs, highlights the regulatory variables that matter on race day, and walks through a clear worked example you can replicate with live pool figures. It also points to authoritative sources where you can verify takeout and breakage before you settle your own calculation.

A Daily Double is settled from a separate pari-mutuel pool created for a specified pair of consecutive races.

Compute net pool by subtracting posted takeout and deductions from the gross pool, then divide by winning units and apply breakage.

Always use the track s posted takeout and the local breakage rule when calculating a payout on race day.

What a Daily Double is and why it matters

Definition and where the bet is offered

A daily double horse racing wager is a pari-mutuel bet that asks you to pick the winners of two specified consecutive races, settled from a separate pool created for that pairing. The pool for a Daily Double is independent of the individual win pools for each race, and the payout reflects how much money is placed into that dedicated pairing pool rather than fixed odds.

In most U.S. racing jurisdictions the mechanics for that pool and its settlement are specified in model and state rules, which describe how the money bet into the Daily Double pool is divided among winning wagering units after required deductions ARCI Model Rules of Racing.

Practically, each Daily Double pairing forms its own pari-mutuel pool and winning combinations share only the funds bet into that pool; there is no mixing with other wagers when computing the payout. That design means a single pairing can pay more or less depending on how many bettors selected the same two winners and how large the pool was for that pairing Ohio Administrative Code.

Simple spreadsheet template to compute net pool and per-dollar payout

Replace defaults with track figures

Quick overview: the calculation steps you need to know

One-line formula

The basic one-line formula to remember is net pool = gross pool minus takeout and mandated deductions; per-unit payout = net pool divided by winning units; then apply breakage and scale to your bet size. This sequence is the standard computation used to settle a Daily Double payout in pari-mutuel wagering Equibase glossary.

Terminology: gross pool, takeout, net pool, winning units, breakage

Gross pool is the total amount wagered into the specific Daily Double pool before any deductions. Track or jurisdiction takeout is the percentage removed from the gross pool for taxes, purses and fees. Net pool is the remaining amount after takeout and any mandated deductions. Winning wagering units are the total count of individual $1 equivalent wagers that correctly selected the winning pairing. Breakage is the rounding convention used by the jurisdiction to convert the computed per-unit payoff into the paid amount. Each of these terms matters when you calculate a Daily Double payout ARCI Model Rules of Racing.

Note that breakage rules affect only the rounding step applied after dividing the net pool by winning units; they do not change the underlying division or how the net pool is computed Washington Administrative Code.

How to calculate a Daily Double payout: detailed framework

Step 1: find the gross pool

Start with the gross pool reported for the Daily Double pairing. Tracks publish live pool figures on tote boards and on official wagering pages; those posted numbers are the basis for any payout calculation. Use the current gross pool for the specific two-race pairing you are evaluating rather than combining multiple pools or days NYRA wagering information.

Step 2: apply takeout and mandated deductions

Next, subtract the track or jurisdiction takeout and any mandated deductions to get the net pool. Takeout schedules vary by state and by wager type, and tracks normally publish the percentage they apply to each bet; use the posted percentage for the race day and track you are working with Kentucky Horse Racing Commission takeout rates.

Verify posted takeout and breakage before calculating payoffs

Before you do the final math, confirm the posted takeout and any mandated deductions for the track where the races run so your computed net pool matches the official figures.

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Step 3: divide by winning units and apply breakage

Divide the net pool by the total number of winning wagering units for the exact winning combination to calculate the raw per-$1 payoff. After you obtain that quotient, apply the jurisdiction s breakage rule to round the per-unit amount according to local convention; that rounded figure becomes the paid per-dollar return ARCI Model Rules of Racing.

Finally scale the rounded per-$1 payoff to your actual stake, for example a $1 or $2 bet. Keep in mind that because the Daily Double pairing uses its own pool, two identical winning horses selected in a crowded field can still yield a modest payout if many bettors picked the same pairing Ohio Administrative Code.

Jurisdiction differences: takeout percentages and breakage rules

Why takeout varies and who publishes it

Takeout differs between states and tracks because each jurisdiction determines what portion of the gross pool funds purses, racing operations, taxes and commissions; tracks and state racing commissions usually publish current schedules so bettors can use the correct percentage for their calculations NYRA wagering information.

How breakage varies by state and what it means for bettors

Breakage rules are a procedural element that only alters the final rounding step. Different states have different rounding conventions, which can change the cents paid per dollar but do not affect the mathematical division of the net pool by winning units. Because breakage applies after the per-unit quotient is computed, it can increase or decrease the paid amount by small increments depending on the rule that applies that day Washington Administrative Code.

Because takeout and breakage both vary, the same raw pool and number of winning units can lead to different paid amounts if the races are at tracks in different jurisdictions; always use the track s posted numbers and the local rounding rule when settling a calculation Kentucky Horse Racing Commission takeout rates.

Worked example: step-by-step Daily Double calculation you can copy

This worked example is hypothetical and provided only to show the arithmetic steps; use actual posted numbers when you compute real payoffs.

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Gathering the numbers from a track report

Assume a hypothetical Daily Double gross pool of 12,000 and a posted takeout of 15 percent for that pairing; assume also that the winning combination was represented by 800 winning wagering units. Those are example figures to demonstrate the calculation flow; they are not real track numbers and must be replaced with the live pool and posted takeout for any real calculation Equibase glossary.

Perform the math and apply breakage

Step A, compute net pool: net pool = gross pool minus takeout. With a 12,000 gross pool and 15 percent takeout, takeout amount = 12,000 times 0.15 = 1,800, so net pool = 12,000 minus 1,800 = 10,200. This follows the standard net pool calculation used in pari-mutuel Daily Double settlement ARCI Model Rules of Racing.

Step B, raw per-dollar payout: divide the net pool by winning units. With a 10,200 net pool and 800 winning units, raw per-$1 payoff = 10,200 divided by 800 = 12.75. Step C, apply breakage: if the jurisdiction rounds payouts to the nearest 10 cents down to the paid amount, the paid per-$1 might become 12.70 after breakage is applied; conversely, a different rule could round to the nearest cent or nearest five cents depending on the state s policy Washington Administrative Code.

Scaling the per-$1 payout to your bet size

Close up of a racing tote display showing Daily Double pool sizes with a hand pointing at numbers in Funded Plays minimalist dark palette daily double horse racing

To get the paid return for a common stake, multiply the rounded per-$1 payoff by the stake. For a hypothetical $2 Daily Double, a paid per-$1 amount of 12.70 would produce a $25.40 payout. Remember that this numeric example is illustrative; always use the track s actual gross pool, posted takeout and the correct breakage rule to compute a real payoff Equibase glossary.

Common mistakes, edge cases and troubleshooting

Frequent calculation errors

Common errors include using the wrong takeout percentage, applying mandated deductions incorrectly, or applying breakage before dividing the net pool by winning units. Applying breakage too early or using an outdated takeout can produce an incorrect expected payout, so double-check the source of each input before you finalize the math ARCI Model Rules of Racing.

What happens with scratches and refunds

Scratches, refunds or non-starters change how money is distributed within a pool according to the track s published rules; some events lead to refunds while others reallocate wagers according to substitution rules. Because those outcomes alter either the gross pool or the eligible winning units, they can materially change a computed payout and should be accounted for using the track s settlement policy Ohio Administrative Code.

When pools are small or winners are many

Small pools or a large number of winning units reduce the per-unit payout because the net pool is divided by more units. Conversely, a small number of winning units and a large net pool produce higher per-unit returns. Also remember that Daily Double pools generally do not carry over day to day; each pairing is settled independently which is why pool size and the number of winning units are the critical determinants of payout ARCI Model Rules of Racing.

Where to verify numbers on race day and authoritative sources

Track tote boards and official race charts

For live pool figures, check the tote board and official wagering page; those sources present the gross pool for each specific Daily Double pairing and are the primary inputs for a payout calculation NYRA wagering information.

State commission postings and ARCI guidance

To confirm the proper takeout percentage and mandated deductions, consult the state racing commission s published takeout schedules and the track s posted rules; regulatory guidance such as the ARCI model rules explains the settlement mechanics used across many jurisdictions and provides a useful regulatory baseline ARCI Model Rules of Racing. You can also consult other pari-mutuel regulations such as Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations.

Industry glossaries and reporting sites

For clear definitions of terms like net pool, breakage and per-unit payout, industry glossaries such as Equibase s provide practical reference definitions. Save or snapshot official postings for the race in question so you have a record of the gross pool and posted takeout to use in your calculations or to support any questions about settlement Equibase glossary.

Conclusion: quick checklist and next steps

Checklist: confirm the gross pool for the specific Daily Double pairing, verify the posted takeout and any mandated deductions for the track, compute the net pool, divide by total winning wagering units to get the raw per-$1 payout, apply the jurisdiction s breakage rule, and scale the rounded per-dollar payoff to your stake. Following those steps helps ensure your manual calculation tracks the official settlement process ARCI Model Rules of Racing.

Next steps: practice the calculation with hypothetical pools, bookmark the track wagering page and your state racing commission s takeout schedule, and consult the official settlement report or track customer service if you believe a paid amount differs from what you computed. Remember that payouts depend on the posted numbers and on how many bettors chose the same pairing, so there is no fixed or guaranteed payoff size Kentucky Horse Racing Commission takeout rates.

Minimalist 2D vector spreadsheet style showing net pool calculation and per one dollar payout columns for a daily double horse racing using Funded Plays dark palette and accent highlights

How are Daily Double payouts calculated under pari-mutuel rules?

Daily Double payouts are computed by subtracting the track or jurisdiction takeout and mandated deductions from the gross pool to get a net pool, dividing that net pool by the total winning wagering units for the pairing to get a per-dollar raw payoff, applying the jurisdiction s breakage (rounding) rule, and then scaling the rounded per-dollar payoff to the bettor s stake.

How do I find the takeout percentage for a specific track?

Check the track s official wagering page and the state racing commission s published takeout schedule; tracks also post the takeout on tote displays and betting screens.

What is breakage and how does it affect my payout?

Breakage is a jurisdictional rounding rule applied after the per-unit payoff is computed; it adjusts the paid amount by rounding according to the local policy.

Do Daily Double pools carry over if nobody wins?

Typically no, Daily Double pools are independent for the designated pairing and do not carry over day to day; carryovers are more common in multi-leg wagers with three or more races.

Use the checklist in this guide on race day: confirm the gross pool, apply the posted takeout and mandated deductions, divide by winning wagering units, apply breakage, and scale to your stake. If a paid amount seems incorrect, compare your inputs to the track s official settlement report and contact track customer service or the state commission for clarification.