If you touch one of the buttons on the place screen (back or lay) the site immediately indicates how many places will be paid. Has something to do with when starters are scratched as I understand it.

The other thing I feel you should think about is that you do not have to accept the price indicated. If the race is showing "Hairy Legs" at $1.80 for the place, you can indicate (say) $2.02 and you might be surprised how often it will be taken up. It depends a lot on when you are placing your bets --- and sometimes, of course, it will not be taken up; but you can change the bet right up until the time of the off. (It would be so much simpler if they provided some sort of count down clock as many of our tote sites do.)