What Is a Tricast Bet?
A tricast (also called trifecta in the US/Australia) is a bet where you predict the exact finishing order of the first three places in a race. It’s primarily used in horse racing and greyhound racing, offering potentially huge payouts for correct predictions.
Two types of tricast:
- Straight Tricast - 1 bet: predict exact order (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
- Combination Tricast - 6 bets: any order of your 3 picks covers all permutations
How the Tricast Calculator Works
- Select tricast type - Straight (1 bet) or Combination (6 bets)
- Enter decimal odds for your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place selections
- Enter your stake per bet line
- The calculator shows:
- Number of bets (1 or 6)
- Total stake
- Estimated dividend (odds multiplied)
- Potential payout and profit
Dividend Calculation
The tricast dividend is estimated by multiplying the win odds:
Estimated Dividend = Odds₁ × Odds₂ × Odds₃
Important: Actual tricast dividends are declared by the tote/pool and may differ significantly from this estimate. The estimate gives a reasonable approximation based on each runner’s win probability.
Straight vs Combination Tricast
| Feature | Straight Tricast | Combination Tricast |
|---|---|---|
| Bets | 1 | 6 |
| Stake multiplier | 1× | 6× |
| Order matters | Yes (exact) | No (any order) |
| Difficulty | Very hard | Hard |
| Payout | Full dividend | Full dividend |
| Break-even | Lower stake | Need bigger dividend |
Why 6 Bets in a Combination?
With 3 selections (A, B, C), there are 6 possible finishing orders:
- A-B-C
- A-C-B
- B-A-C
- B-C-A
- C-A-B
- C-B-A
A combination tricast covers all 6 permutations.
Detailed Examples
Example 1: Straight Tricast
Race: 3:30 Cheltenham, 12 runners
- 1st: Horse A at 5.00 (4/1)
- 2nd: Horse B at 8.00 (7/1)
- 3rd: Horse C at 12.00 (11/1)
Stake: $1
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of bets | 1 |
| Total stake | $1 |
| Estimated dividend | 5.00 × 8.00 × 12.00 = 480.00 |
| Payout | $480.00 |
| Profit | $479.00 |
Example 2: Combination Tricast
Same selections as above, $1 per line:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of bets | 6 |
| Total stake | $6 |
| Estimated dividend | 480.00 |
| Payout | $480.00 |
| Profit | $474.00 |
Example 3: Short-Priced Tricast
- 1st: Favorite at 2.50 (6/4)
- 2nd: Second favorite at 3.50 (5/2)
- 3rd: Third choice at 5.00 (4/1)
Dividend: 2.50 × 3.50 × 5.00 = 43.75 Payout ($1 straight): $43.75
Even with shorter-priced runners, tricasts produce significant returns.
Real-World Tricast Dividends
Typical tricast dividends vary enormously:
| Race Type | Typical Dividend Range |
|---|---|
| Short-priced race (favorites fill top 3) | $20 - $100 |
| Mixed race (1 favourite + 2 outsiders) | $100 - $1,000 |
| Open race (all medium odds) | $200 - $2,000 |
| Shock result (all outsiders) | $2,000 - $50,000+ |
When to Use Tricast Bets
Best Scenarios
- Competitive handicaps with 10+ runners
- Strong opinion on top 3 from form study
- Horse racing festivals (Cheltenham, Royal Ascot)
- Greyhound racing with predictable trap positions
- Large fields where dividends are typically bigger
When to Avoid
- Small fields (fewer than 8 runners) - dividends too small
- Heavy favorite races - returns won’t justify the difficulty
- No clear view on order - consider a combination instead
- Limited budget - combination costs 6× more
Tricast vs Other Exotic Bets
| Bet Type | Positions | Order | Bets | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forecast | 1st, 2nd | Yes | 1 | Medium |
| Reverse Forecast | 1st, 2nd | No | 2 | Easy |
| Straight Tricast | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Yes | 1 | Very Hard |
| Combination Tricast | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | No | 6 | Hard |
Tricast Strategy Tips
1. Focus on Competitive Races
The best tricast value comes from races where:
- Multiple runners have a realistic chance
- No overwhelming favourite
- Good form data available
2. Use Combination Tricasts Wisely
If you’re 80% sure on your top 3 but only 50% sure on the order, the combination tricast (6× stake) is often worth it.
3. Banker Approach
If you’re very confident one horse will win, you can create partial combinations:
- Fix the winner, vary 2nd and 3rd between 3-4 horses
- This creates 6-12 bets instead of the full combination
Minimum Field Sizes
Most bookmakers require minimum field sizes for tricasts:
| Bookmaker Type | Minimum Runners |
|---|---|
| UK bookmakers | 8 runners |
| Tote/Pool | 8 runners |
| US pari-mutuel | 8 runners |
| Some online books | 6 runners |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between tricast and trifecta?
They are the same bet. Tricast is the UK/European term, trifecta is used in the US and Australia.
How many runners are needed for a tricast?
Most bookmakers require a minimum of 8 runners for tricasts.
Is a combination tricast worth the extra cost?
If you’re confident in 3 runners but unsure of exact order, combination tricast gives 6 chances to win for 6× the stake.
How are tricast dividends calculated?
Actual dividends are determined by the tote pool. Our calculator estimates using the product of win odds.
Can I do a tricast on any race?
Primarily available for horse/greyhound racing with 8+ runners. Some bookmakers offer them for motor racing.
What’s the biggest tricast payout ever?
Dividends over 10,000 for a single unit are not uncommon in big handicaps. Shock results can exceed 50,000.