What is a Tricast Bet?

A Tricast bet challenges you to predict the exact 1-2-3 finishing order in a race. You could turn £10 into £260 by correctly predicting not just the winner of a race, but also the same finishing order of the top three horses. That’s what makes it so interesting – it’s probably the most challenging but rewarding type of wager in racing.

This guide will provide insight into tricasts from the basics to the more advanced techniques.

Tricast Bet Meaning

In betting terminology, a tricast (called Trifecta in the US) is when you have to predict the first three competitors to finish in the correct order. The term combines “tri” (meaning three) and “forecast” (predicting outcomes), highlighting its nature as an extension of the forecast bet that includes a third position.

What is a tricast bet in horse racing that makes it different from other wagers? Unlike win bets, which require you to pick the winner, or each-way bets, which give you some flexibility, the tricast is all about being exact. For your wager to win, all three selections must finish exactly as you predicted.

In the UK, tricast is usually available on horse races with eight or more runners and greyhound races with six or more runners.

Example of Tricast Bet

They are regulated under standard UK gambling laws, and returns are calculated using industry-agreed algorithms. Let’s look at a real example from Paddy Power’s Scottsville race market to see how it works.

1. Base Calculation: The system starts with the individual odds of each selection, converted to probabilities.
2. Probability Adjustment: Rather than simply multiplying probabilities, the system applies a complex formula that accounts for:
   • The relationship between winning and placing probabilities
   • The reduced probability field after each position is filled
   • Market efficiency factors
3. Industry Standard Formula: While exact algorithms are proprietary, the industry generally follows this approach:
   • Convert odds to probabilities (e.g., 3/1 = 0.25 or 25% chance)
   • Apply conditional probability (If Horse A has already won, then Horse B’s chance of coming second changes because the field is now smaller)
   • Apply further conditional probability for the 3rd place
   • Convert the final probability back to odds
4. Margin Application: Bookmakers then add their profit margin (typically 15-25%)

Example with Real Horses

For Limitless Sky (3/1), Kali Bwana (5/1), and Fine Wine (7/1):

1. Win Probabilities:
   • Limitless Sky: 1/(3+1) = 0.25 (25%)
   • Kali Bwana: 1/(5+1) = 0.167 (16.7%)
   • Fine Wine: 1/(7+1) = 0.125 (12.5%)
2. Conditional Probability Calculation:
   • When Limitless Sky wins, the remaining probability pool changes
   • Kali Bwana’s chance of finishing 2nd is higher than its win probability
   • Further adjustments for Fine Wine in 3rd
3. Final Calculation: The adjusted compound probability is approximately 0.0385 (3.85%)
4. Odds Conversion: 1/0.0385 – 1 = 25/1

This explains why the displayed odds (25/1) differ significantly from the simple multiplication of individual odds, which would yield a much higher figure.

For comparison, a forecast bet (just predicting first and second) on Limitless Sky and Kali Bwana offers odds of 10/1. At the same time, the full tricast pays 25/1, showing how adding the third position requirement increases returns by 2.5 times.

Types of Tricast Bets

Straight Tricast

To win, you need to predict the exact finishing order. For example, you might bet on Limitless Sky to win, Kali Bwana to finish second, and Fine Wine to finish third.

This is a single bet that requires just one unit stake. If you set £10 on a 25/1 bet, you could win £260. If any element is wrong, your wager loses even if all three horses finish in the top three but in a different order.

Straight tricasts offer the best return on investment but carry the most risk. They’re best when you have strong opinions about the exact finishing order, usually in races where the horses are separated by class or where the horses’ running styles suggest a particular order.

Combination Tricast

It covers all possible finishing orders of your three chosen horses. There are six possible ways to place three horses in a race. The tricast bet meaning is simple: you need to place six separate bets.

For example, with Limitless Sky, Kali Bwana, and Fine Wine, a combination tricast covers:

• Limitless Sky/Kali Bwana/Fine Wine (25/1)
• Limitless Sky/Fine Wine/Kali Bwana (30/1)
• Kali Bwana/Limitless Sky/Fine Wine (35/1)
• Kali Bwana/Fine Wine/Limitless Sky (40/1)
• Fine Wine/Limitless Sky/Kali Bwana (45/1)
• Fine Wine/Kali Bwana/Limitless Sky (50/1)

With a £1 unit stake, this costs £6 in total. If any order of numbers wins, you get the payout for that specific combination.

This approach increases your chances of winning, but you must bet more money. It’s great when you’re sure about the three horses that will come first, but not sure about the exact order they will come in.

Banker Tricast

A banker tricast fixes one horse in a specific position while the others move around. This is a middle ground between straight and full combination tricasts.

For example, if you think Limitless Sky will win but are not sure about second and third places between Kali Bwana and Fine Wine, you would place:

• Limitless Sky/Kali Bwana/Fine Wine (25/1)
• Limitless Sky/Fine Wine/Kali Bwana (30/1)

To do this, you must place two stakes at your usual unit stake (two pounds in total for one unit). You win if Limitless Sky comes first and both Kali Bwana and Fine Wine come in the top three, no matter in what order.

You could also place a wager on a horse to come second or third. This approach balances being precise with being flexible, and is useful when you have a lot of confidence in one position but less certainty about others.

Reverse Tricast

It covers two possible finishing orders of your three selections. It doesn’t cover all six possible combinations, like a full combination tricast does. Instead, it looks at two orders you think are most likely.

For example, if you think Limitless Sky-Kali Bwana-Fine Wine or Kali Bwana-Limitless Sky-Fine Wine is likely, you could place a reverse tricast bet covering just these two finishing orders.

This requires two wagers at your unit stake (£2 total for £1 unit). This approach is especially useful when two horses are equally good and might swap places, while you’re more confident about the third horse’s exact finishing position.

Here’s how these variations compare:

Placing a Tricast Bet

Using Paddy Power as an example, here’s how to place a tricast bet:

1. Navigate to horse racing and select your race (e.g., Scottsville 15:45)
2. Find the “Tricast Market” dropdown section
3. Select your preferred combination (e.g., Limitless Sky/Kali Bwana/Fine Wine at 25/1)
4. Enter your stake in the bet slip
5. Confirm your bet

For straight tricasts, each combination represents a specific 1-2-3 finishing order with its odds. Remember that your total stake will be multiplied by the permutations covered for combination bets.

If you’re wondering “what’s a tricast bet process like on other platforms?”, most major bookmakers follow a similar approach, though the exact interface may vary. Always ensure you’re selecting the correct horses in the proper order, as the sequence is crucial for this wager type.

Tricast Bet Calculator

Tricast betting involves complex maths that can be tricky to calculate manually, especially for combination bets. A combination tricast bet calculator has become a must-have for anyone serious about optimising their tricast strategy.

These special calculators deal with bookmakers’ complicated probability calculations when setting tricast odds. They’re convenient when placing combination bets where you must keep track of many possibilities simultaneously. A good combination tricast bet calculator can compare theoretical returns across different betting strategies and account for factors like Rule 4 deductions when non-runners affect the field.

For example, the William Hill Bet Calculator has all the required features, including detailed breakdowns of potential returns by permutation and automatic handling of Rule 4 adjustments. It also suggests betting plans to help you optimise your strategy.

Quality tricast calculators convert fractional or decimal odds into probability percentages and use conditional probability math, like the bookies’ algorithms do when you’re not looking. They consider how well the market works, calculate the expected value for different combinations, and use the right stake multiplication for combo wagers.

Why Choose Tricast Betting?

Higher Payouts for Small Stakes

One major advantage of tricast betting is that it can turn a small amount of money into a big win. The odds are much higher because you’re predicting three positions instead of just one winner. You could win hundreds of pounds if you stake £2 and you’re right.

A Different Way to Watch the Race

When you place a tricast, you’ll see races differently. Instead of focusing on who wins, you’ll also watch the battle for second and third place. This makes the whole race more exciting from beginning to end.

For instance, if you’ve placed a bet on Limitless Sky to win, Kali Bwana for second, and Fine Wine for third, the race won’t be over when Limitless Sky crosses the finish line first. You’ll be on the edge of your seat until all three positions are decided.

Finding Value in Overlooked Horses

Most people only think about picking winners, so the odds for horses to come second or third are often better value. While everyone’s arguing about which favourite will win, you can find great value by spotting horses that consistently finish in the places but rarely win.

It’s like finding a hidden gem that everyone else has missed. You might notice that Fine Wine rarely wins, but often comes third. This information can create a valuable tricast bet that others might miss.

Perfect for When You Can’t Decide

If you’ve shortlisted three horses but can’t decide which one will win, a combination tricast bet lets you cover all possibilities. It’s like saying “I know these three will finish in the top three, but I’m not sure in which order” — and still winning if you’re right!

Tricasts are great for competitive races where you know a lot about a few horses, but the race could go different ways.