Tote  is short for Totalisator, which is a system introduced to Britain in 1929 to offer pool betting on racecourses. It's a pretty simple concept. Here's how it works. All the stakes collected on a race are put into a general pool. A deduction is taken out to cover costs and the Tote's contribution to the race. The remainder of the pool is divided by the number of winning units to give a dividend, which is declared inclusive of a £1 stake. In other countries its know as Parimutuel betting.

In other words, those in the pool are betting against each other. In other types of sports betting, bettors are betting against the bookmaker. Odds fluctuate according to the pattern of betting. Betting ceases when the race goes 'off.'

Check out the Tote Sport site below or Test Skill Cash which is pool betting on Cricket if its the traditional football pools your after click on Vernons.