The dime has become a very popular bet since it was introduced to the racetracks. You can find it at many thoroughbred tracks as well as greyhound tracks. Part of the allure of this exotic bet is the fact that for just $2.40 you can box four horses or dogs and get a chance to hit the superfecta.
Back in the days when superperfects were based on a $1 minimum bet, hitting the superperfect was often a cause for celebration and a huge reward. But one thing that has reduced the base bet to just a penny is made it possible for punters to play many combinations and consequently many people to get the reward.
Gone are the days when a perfect win could mean a six-figure reward. While the term superperfect still makes many hearts beat faster due to the huge benefits it once meant, the reality is that superperfect is now just a mundane gamble.
Some tracks have taken notice of this and have kept some supers in the dollar range and others are on sale for a dime. They try to split it up so the big plungers still have a shot at getting that super mortgage payment and others can feel like a big deal hitting the dime super and collecting a mediocre payment.
I don’t know what, if anything, this has done for racetrack managers, but I do know for myself and a few others that I used to enjoy those opportunities when we found some key horses with long odds to get into a superfecta . , has meant that playing the super has lost some of the charm and chances of a big reward.
While I respect the racetrack’s decision to open up the super for casual gamers, I hope they remember that big profits mean big publicity and will keep the public coming back for more. They need some bets that offer a chance to pay off the mortgage with a big score.