Some tracks have double pools where you choose the pool of one race and then the pool of the next race to win. It typically costs $ 4, twice the cost of a regular pool bet. Of course, they pay more than individual pools, but that doesn’t mean they are always a good bet.
My general rule of thumb for double pools is that I only play them if I can find a good, solid two-dog pool for each of the two races that make up the double pool. If I can’t, I don’t play it. This means that if I have three-dog box bets for each race, I still pass the double pool.
The reason for this is that it would cost too much to play all those combinations for the DQ. Which brings me to another classification that I have for playing double pools. I only play them when I’m ahead to the point where playing the DQ is not going to have an effect on my net winnings for that show.
If I’m a little ahead, I don’t play the DQ. If I’m late, I don’t even consider it. For me, it is a side bet and I rarely play side bets. The only time I do it is when I am way ahead and can afford the loss without having to invest my funds for that program.
So my advice when it comes to double pools is to play them if you are ahead and have a pool selection with very good handicaps for each DQ race. Treat them like any other exotic bet and don’t let the attraction of large amounts of money outweigh the risk of losing more than you can afford to lose.