First 4 Bet Cost Explained: What You Pay & What to Expect

The first 4 bet cost is something that always raises eyebrows for fresh punters and even the seasoned crowd who want to squeeze every bit of value from the track without accidentally draining their wallet. You know that feeling you get when you see someone land a monster payout for picking the right four horses in the right order? Before you even get to that, there's the question—how much are you risking? Forget what you think you know from TV or pub myths—there's some truth, but there's a lot of guesswork too.

What Is a First 4 Bet and Why Does the Cost Vary?

If you’ve ever shouted at the telly while the horses thundered past the post, you probably know the thrill of a big win—especially on exotic bets. The "First 4" isn’t your average flutter. Here, you’re picking the four runners that finish first, second, third, and fourth, in exact order. Sounds simple, but the combinations multiply—quickly. Why does the cost jump compared to a cheeky each-way or a simple place bet? Because of permutations.

If you just pick four horses—one for each spot—the minimum stake in most UK bookies is usually 10p per combination, but the total cost isn’t just your base stake. Let’s bust that myth: you’re not paying 10p for the whole bet; you’re paying 10p for every possible combination you select. If you box six horses (that is, you pick six and want every order possible), you get a whopping 360 combinations. That means your base 10p stake balloons to £36. That shocks plenty of newcomers. Smaller fields mean fewer combinations and lower cost, but as you get ambitious—maybe picking the favorites and a couple of outsiders—the price ticks up fast.

The minimum to play? If you’re only picking four horses, just one combination, it’s 10p. But, let’s be honest—almost nobody does that. One scratch and your bet’s toast. Most punters hedge a bit, covering more runners and more positions, which bumps up the price. Ask around the Manchester tracks, and you’ll hear most folks spend at least a fiver to actually have a shot unless they’re feeling especially lucky. A tip from Linden (my own—he’s a maths whiz, unlike his dad): always do the sums on paper before hitting ‘submit’. At major races like the Grand National or Royal Ascot, punters will easily splash out over £50 on a First 4, especially when syndicates chip in together.

Online, some apps show the number of combinations before you confirm, making it less likely you’ll have a heart attack at the till. But at traditional bookies, a casual mistake of boxing too many horses can turn your humble stake into a payday for the house, not you. One more twist—international pools like those in Australia (where the bet was made popular) have their own minimums and rules. There, it’s 50c per combo, and big syndicates regularly go in for hundreds. Check your bookmaker, always.

How to Calculate Your First 4 Bet Cost

Here's the bit that separates the chancers from the clever bettors—the maths. Don't let the word 'maths' send you running. It's easier than you think, and if I can figure it out during a school run, so can you. Think in terms of combinations: how many unique ways can your group of horses finish in the four slots?

For a straight First 4 bet—one horse for each spot—it’s just one combo. But if you go wild with more picks—say, you want eight horses and don’t care about the order—that’s where the box or flexi bet comes into play. You’re betting on every possible way any four out of your eight picks could fill the top four spots.

The formula to work it out: Number of possible winning combos = (Number of selected horses) × (Number of remaining horses for 2nd) × (For 3rd) × (For 4th). For eight horses, that’s 8 × 7 × 6 × 5 = 1,680 potential combinations! At 10p each, that's a cool £168.

If you’re eyeing a particular horse to win but can’t split the rest, mix and match—maybe one key box (your fav wins, the other three can be anyone). Some betting sites call this a 'banker' bet, and it can shave your cost to something manageable. Here’s where the smart play comes in: balancing wishful thinking with practical budget.

• Tip: Use online calculators. Most major UK bookies and racing websites have free ones that show cost as you fiddle with selections.
• Keep an eye out for flexi bets—these let you choose your total spend, and the payout is proportional. Perfect if you’ve only got a tenner but want plenty of coverage.
• If you’re betting with mates, split up the combos instead of overlapping, to cover more outcomes and keep things friendly.
• Add up your combos twice. It takes 60 seconds, and it might save you a red face at the bookies—or worse, an overdraft fee.

Remember, in the UK, the market is growing but still not as huge as in Australia—so payouts and pool sizes can swing wildly from track to track. If you’re betting at the big meetings, expect higher costs but also fatter payouts, because the pool swells with newcomers chasing the dream.

Is a First 4 Bet Worth the Cost? Tips for Getting Value

Now, the million-pound question—should you even bother with a First 4, or is it a mug’s game? That depends. The allure, of course, is the headline-grabbing payouts—sometimes five figures or more for a modest stake. But the odds are steep. Picking four exact finishers, especially in a massive field, is tough. Does that mean it’s a bad bet? Not always.

If you follow form closely, do your homework (and listen to tips from folks who actually watch the gallops), you can spot value in outsiders that most punters ignore. The best wins usually include at least one shock result, not just the favourites. The key is to avoid just throwing darts. First 4 is a bet for planners. If you want a better shot on a smaller budget, pool resources, and focus on races where the field suits your reading of the game.

I’ve seen patient types at the Manchester track spend under £10 and land a tidy payout because they boxed up thoughtful picks instead of splashing out on “all the favs.” Another solid move: watch the pools. Some online bookies show you the prize pool size and approximate dividends before the jump—you don’t want to win and end up splitting the pool 50 ways.

Here are some tested tips:

• Don’t always box everything—key your confidence in one place and save on combos.
• Look for races with fewer runners. Fewer horses mean fewer combos, so you can afford more coverage for the same price.
• Track scratched horses. If a runner in your combo comes out, your bet might change—sometimes reducing your combos and cost, sometimes killing the whole ticket. Ask the bookie, don't assume.
• Use the flexibility of online apps—set limits, see running totals and experiment with mock bets before risking real money.
• Read official guides from sites like Racing Post—sometimes, the value in the pool is better than the win odds suggest.

At the end of the day, First 4 bets are for the dreamers and the tacticians. They’re not for every race, nor for every wallet. But if you like a challenge, enjoy the thrill of picking not just a winner but the whole script, and you know when to rein in wild combos, this bet can offer some of the best thrills—and heart-stopping moments—on the turf.