What is a Straight Forecast Bet?

Straight Forecast bet lets you back two outcomes in a single wager – predicting exactly who will finish first and who will place second. It’s harder to win than a regular bet, but it can return significantly higher payouts. Our guide will provide you with all the necessary details about this type of bet.

What Does Straight Forecast Mean in Betting?

Imagine you’re watching a horse race, and you think you know which horses will come first and second. Instead of placing separate bets, a Straight Forecast bet lets you combine these predictions into one wager with better odds.

Simply put, it’s predicting the exact 1-2 finish in the correct sequence. Straight Forecast is more challenging than simpler bets like ‘win’ or ‘each-way’ because you have to guess the top two places. However, it’s even more rewarding when you get it right.

The concept of the ‘straight forecast’ originates from conventional wagering practices. It became more organised and widely available in the 20th century, particularly in the UK. In 1977, a big step was taken with the launch of the Computer Straight Forecast (CSF). This made payouts more consistent by using algorithms based on starting prices (SPs).

This new system replaced manual calculations by bookmakers, making sure returns were always fair and consistent. To set the payouts, it looks at the SPs, the odds for the top two, and how big the race field is.

Example of Straight Forecast Bet

Let’s use a real example from the Class 2 horse race with 14 runners, as shown on 10bet. Looking at the race card, we can see several horses, including Dickensian (odds of 10/3), Inca Heights (odds of 8/1), and Super Soldier (odds of 12/1).

After studying the form, you decide to place a £10 Straight Forecast bet on Dickensian to win and Inca Heights to finish second. This selection makes sense because:

1. Dickensian is the favourite (lowest odds at 10/3)
2. Inca Heights has decent form but longer odds

Now, imagine the race runs and the results are:

1. Dickensian (1st)
2. Inca Heights (2nd)

Your stake wins. But if any other outcome occurred, your bet would lose:

• If Inca Heights won and Dickensian came second
• If Dickensian won, but Super Soldier came second (not Inca Heights)
• If neither horse finished in the top two

This example illustrates why Straight Forecast betting can be challenging but potentially very rewarding when executed correctly.

Odds of a Straight Forecast Bet

You don’t need to do the maths yourself — most bookmakers will show you the potential payout before you place the bet. But here’s how it works behind the scenes.

📌 In simple terms:

To calculate the odds, bookmakers multiply the odds of the horse you think will win by the odds of the horse you think will come second, and then adjust the result using a special number called an adjustment factor:

Forecast Odds = (Odds of 1st horse × Odds of 2nd horse) ÷ Adjustment Factor

The adjustment factor (typically 1.5) accounts for the relationship between win and place probabilities.

✅ Example 1: Favourite + Second Favourite

You bet £10 in a Class 2 race with 14 runners that:

• Dickensian (odds 10/3) will finish 1st
• Inca Heights (odds 8/1) will finish 2nd

Step-by-step:

1. Multiply the two odds: 10/3 × 8 = 80/3
2. Divide by 1.5 (the adjustment factor): 80/3 ÷ 1.5 = 160/9
3. Convert to decimal: 160 ÷ 9 = 17.8
4. Your total return: £10 × 17.8 = £178 profit + £10 stake = £188 total

When placing a wager, ‘favourites’ are horses with smaller odds (like Dickensian at 10/3) that are thought to have a better chance of winning. But you might also see some horses with much higher odds. These are called “long shots”. When bookmakers don’t think a longshot will win, they offer higher odds.

✅ Example 2: Favourite + Longshot

You bet £10 that:

• Dickensian (10/3) finishes 1st
• Super Soldier (12/1) finishes 2nd

Step-by-step:

1. Multiply the two odds: 10/3 × 12 = 120/3
2. Divide by 1.5 (adjustment factor): 120/3 ÷ 1.5 = 80/3
3. Convert to decimal: 80 ÷ 3 = 26.7
4. Your total return: £10 × 26.7 = £267 profit + £10 stake = £277 total

✅ Example 3: Two Longshots

You bet £10 that:

• Super Soldier (12/1) finishes 1st
• Credit Forgedd It (7/1) finishes 2nd

Step-by-step:

1. Multiply the two odds: 12 × 7 = 84
2. Divide by 1.5 (the adjustment factor): 84 ÷ 1.5 = 56
3. Your total return: £10 × 56 = £560 profit + £10 stake = £570 total

These examples demonstrate why wagering on longshots can yield significantly higher potential returns. This risk-reward balance is why some experienced punters look for value in combinations involving longshots.

Many online bookmakers and wagering resource sites offer free Straight Forecast calculators. You just enter the odds for your two picks and your stake. The calculator will then show you how much money you could win.

Some advanced Straight Forecast bet calculators also take into account variables such as overround (the bookmaker’s profit margin) and race-specific conditions. Popular options include the Racing Post, Timeform and the Oddschecker Predictor.

When Should I Opt for a Straight Forecast?

Certain sports and events are particularly well-suited for Straight Forecast wagers. Here’s a detailed look at the most profitable markets:

Horse Racing

• You can find clear form guides and statistics for each horse.
• The performance is affected by race conditions (e.g., whether the race is underway, its distance, and the track).
• It is more likely that you will succeed if there are between six and eight runners.
• The class-based racing system ensures that horses are competing at the proper levels.

Focus on races where there’s a clear favourite with odds of 3/1 or more, and a second favourite who is much less likely to win. Look for horses that often come second but rarely win. These are great picks for second place.

Greyhound Racing

• Usually, there are only six dogs in each race, which means there are a lot fewer possible combinations.
• The statistics on the starting position can tell you a lot.
• The race is short, so the competitors’ positions stay the same for longer.
• There are fewer things to think about than there are in horse racing.

Look closely at trap numbers and running styles. Dogs that prefer to be indoors or outdoors are often easier to predict.

Formula 1 and Motorsports

• There aren’t many fast cars and teams at the front of the grid.
• The results from the qualifying races provide a good indication of the speed of the race.
• The way teams work together and the nature of the track can make it easy to guess who will come first.
• The performance at specific circuits in the past tends to be similar.

The leaders of the constructors’ championship often provide both the winner and the runner-up. Look for places where it’s hard to overtake, because the order in which drivers qualify usually decides the order in which they finish.

Cycling

• The short stages in major competitions are suitable for making predictions.
• It is primarily composed of specialised sprint teams, with each team having a distinct hierarchy.
• The teammate who positions the sprinter follows a set pattern.
• In a flat stage, the top competitors usually sprint for the line together.
• The team’s tactics are always transparent and consistent.

Look for stages where the top sprinters’ teams have clearly defined lead-out strategies. It is often worth it to pick a teammate of a top sprinter for second place, as this can be a great deal.

Athletics

• Lane draws and qualifying times are objective measures of performance.
• Information about how healthy athletes have performed against each other is readily available.
• The performance is more consistent than in many team sports.
• All competitors are affected by the weather conditions.

In the Olympic and World Championship finals, the fastest person to qualify usually wins, with the second-fastest person qualifying taking second place. Look for athletes who consistently swim at the same pace, regardless of the season.

Snooker and Darts

• You can generally predict how bracket sports will progress.
• Seeding systems make it easy to get to the final path.
• You can use the head-to-head records to predict the result of a match.
• The form stays the same for most of the tournament.
• There are fewer things to consider than in team sports.

Focus on tournaments where the top seeds are divided into opposite halves of the draw, which increases the likelihood that the top two players will finish in the top two places.

True betting professionals know that what is straight forecast betting success depends on identifying value, not just winners.

Placing a Straight Forecast Bet

Using 10bet as an example, here’s how to place a Straight Forecast bet:

1. Navigate to the horse racing section and select your race
2. Look for the “Forecast” button (not “Win Or Each Way”)
3. After clicking “Forecast,” you’ll see all horses listed with three options: 1st, 2nd, and Any
4. Click “1st” next to your winner selection
5. Click “2nd” next to your runner-up selection
6. Enter your stake in the bet slip
7. Confirm your bet

For example, to stake on Dickensian to win and Inca Heights to place second:

• Click “1st” next to Dickensian
• Click “2nd” next to Inca Heights
• The bet slip shows “Forecast: Dickensian to win, Inca Heights to place”
• Enter your stake and confirm

Reverse Forecast: An Alternative Approach

A Reverse Forecast shows you the possible finishing orders for your two selections. Using our example, a £5 Reverse Forecast wager on Dickensian and Inca Heights (a total bet of £10) would win if either Dickensian finished first and Inca Heights finished second, or if Inca Heights finished first and Dickensian finished second.

The calculation of the odds is the same for both possible finishing orders:

• The first result is Dickensian (10/3). The second result is Inca Heights (8/1). The two results added together (10/3 × 8/1) divided by 1.5 equals 17.8/1.
• First, Inca Heights (8/1); second, Dickensian (10/3). To find the answer, multiply 8/1 x 10/3 and divide by 1.5. The answer is 17.8/1.

For every £5 stake, you’d get around £93.90. This is because £5 x 17.8 = £89 + £5 stake. You will get £93.90 back if you choose either combination.

Reverse forecasts are helpful when you think one of two competitors will come first and another will come second, but you’re not sure about the exact order. On 10bet, you place this bet by selecting “Forecast”, clicking “Any” beside both selections, and specifying “Reverse Forecast” in the bet slip.

While you need to stake twice as much as you would on a Straight Forecast, this approach lets you have more flexibility and gives you two chances to win.

Straight Forecast vs Reverse Forecast: What’s the Difference?

Start small. Use form guides, race stats and forecasting tools to help you make informed choices. If you’re unsure about the order, consider a Reverse Forecast for added flexibility.

If you like to bet on horse racing, greyhound racing or motorsports, a Straight Forecast could be a good choice for you, as long as you understand the risk and play responsibly.