Forecast & Tricast Bets Explained

What Is a Forecast Bet?

A forecast bet is a wager where you predict which two selections will finish first and second in an event. In its simplest form, the selections must finish in the exact order you nominate.

For instance, if you place a straight forecast on Selection A to finish first and Selection B to finish second, the bet wins only if that exact finishing order happens. If Selection B wins and Selection A finishes second, a straight forecast loses.

Forecasts are most closely tied to horse racing betting, where every runner has a finishing position. They may also turn up in other sports where a finishing order can be priced, such as motorsport or tournament outright markets. Availability depends on the betting site and the market.

What Is a Tricast Bet?

A tricast bet is similar to a forecast, but it goes one step further. Instead of predicting the first two finishers, you predict the first three.

So, what is a tricast bet in practical terms? It’s a bet on Selection A to finish first, Selection B to finish second and Selection C to finish third. In a straight tricast, all three must finish in the exact order stated.

Because a tricast requires one extra correct finishing position, it’s usually much harder to win than a forecast. That extra difficulty is why potential returns can be higher, especially in competitive fields. It also means more ways for the bet to lose.

Forecast vs. Tricast: Key Differences at a Glance

The key difference is the number of finishing positions you need to predict. A forecast needs the first two; a tricast needs the first three.

A straight forecast has one line and requires two correct positions. A straight tricast also has one line, but it requires three correct positions. Combination versions create multiple lines, which increases coverage but also increases the total stake.

The choice should come from your betting opinion. If your view only supports two selections being strongest, a forecast may reflect it better. If you have a clear view on the first three finishers, a tricast may be worth a look, though it shouldn’t be used simply because the possible payout looks larger.

Types of Tricast Bets: Straight and Combination

A straight tricast is the most precise version. You nominate the first, second and third selections in exact order, and any incorrect position causes the bet to lose.

A combination tricast gives more coverage. If you select three runners in a combination tricast, they can finish first, second and third in any order. That creates six individual tricast lines because there are six possible orders for three selections.

Adding more selections increases the coverage quickly. Four selections create 24 possible first-three orders, while five selections create 60. This is why a combination tricast can become costly even when the unit stake looks small.

How Forecast and Tricast Returns Are Calculated

Forecast and tricast returns aren’t always calculated in the same way. Some markets may offer fixed odds, where the potential return is visible before you place the bet. Others, especially racing markets, may be settled using a declared dividend after the event.

A dividend-based forecast is often linked to starting prices and the relevant settlement formula. In those cases, the final return may not be known until after the race has finished and the official result is confirmed.

A simple fixed-odds example works like this: if a straight forecast is priced at decimal odds of 21.00 and you stake 1 unit, the total return would be 21 units, including the original stake, if it wins. With dividend-settled bets, the calculation isn’t always as transparent before the event, so the figure shown on the bet slip may be unavailable or only indicative. If the price is shown in a format you do not normally use, you can convert betting odds before comparing the potential return.

The important point is that forecast and tricast returns are not just the same as multiplying two or three ordinary win prices together. Always check the market label and settlement rules.

How Much Do Combination Forecast and Tricast Bets Cost?

Combination bets are priced by line. The unit stake applies to every individual forecast or tricast created inside the combination.

For a combination forecast, the number of lines is:

Number of selections × number of remaining selections

So, three selections create 3 × 2 = 6 lines. Four selections create 4 × 3 = 12 lines. Five selections create 5 × 4 = 20 lines.

For a combination tricast, the number of lines is:

Selections × remaining selections × remaining selections after that

So, three selections create 3 × 2 × 1 = 6 lines. Four selections create 4 × 3 × 2 = 24 lines. Five selections create 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 lines.

If you place a 0.5-unit combination tricast with four selections, the total stake is 24 lines × 0.5 units = 12 units. This does not make the bet safer overall; it only covers more finishing orders at a higher cost.

Which Sports Can You Use Forecast and Tricast Bets On?

As well as horse racing, forecasts and tricasts are also common in greyhound betting, where straight and reverse forecasts are established race markets. They can suit races where you have a clear view on the likely front-runners.

They may also appear in other sports where finishing order matters, such as motorsport, cycling, athletics or tournament markets. These may be offered as fixed-odds specials rather than dividend-settled racing-style markets, though.

Availability varies by event and betting site. Before betting, check whether the market is a forecast, tricast, exact finishing order market or another similar product with different rules.

Rules That Can Affect Settlement (Non-Runners, Dead Heats & Palpable Errors)

Settlement rules matter with forecast and tricast bets, because changes to the field or result can affect whether the bet stands, is voided, is converted, or is settled differently.

Non-runners are especially important in racing. If one of your selections doesn’t run, the betting site’s rules will determine what happens next. Some bets may be void. Others may be settled on the remaining selections depending on the market and circumstances.

Dead heats can also affect returns. If two or more selections are tied for a finishing position, dead-heat rules may reduce or split the payout according to the betting site’s terms.

Palpable errors are obvious pricing or settlement mistakes. If a market was offered on clearly incorrect terms, the betting site may have rules allowing correction, resettlement or voiding. This is another reason to read the rules before placing more complex bets.