What Is A Forecast Bet?

A forecast bet is another form of multiple that requires the bettor to predict the top two finishes in the race, and it is known to be one of the most popular bets within the horse racing industry. Similar to a tricast, this bet can be quite hard to predict, making it popular due to the higher odds and potential returns associated with it.

Here, you will learn all you need to know about forecast betting, how it works, the variations and how to calculate the potential returns.

How Does A Forecast Bet Work? 

Similar to what we have discussed in our each-way betting guide, bettors are effectively placing two bets rolled into one. In a straight forecast, you can bet on which horse will finish first and which one will finish second. These types of bets can only be placed on a single race and cannot be spread across multiple races.

In the same fashion as tricast bets, you only pay the total stake that you put on a straight forecast bet. The stake does not multiply as it would in a trixie bet.

It is only possible to place forecast bets on races with a minimum of three runners. If there are fewer than three competitors in the race, the bet will be voided.

Types of Forecast Bets

Throughout sports betting, three main types of forecast bets are frequently used: straight forecasts, reverse forecasts, and combination forecasts. However, there are a handful of lesser-known forecast bets that we will go through in this piece.

The lesser-known variations are more suited to experienced bettors, so we recommend novice bettors stick to the basic ones until they are confident with how they work.

Straight Forecast:

• The straight forecast bet is the simplest version, and it allows you to predict the two horses that finish the race first. Bettors must place the two horses in the correct order for the bet to be successful.

Reverse Forecast:

• Very similar to the straight forecast bet, you must also predict the two horses that finish in the top two; however, the order does not matter, and the stake is therefore doubled.

Combination Forecast:

• In this bet, you need to select a minimum of three competitors, and you need two of your choices to finish in the top two. The stake will increase even more in this bet as you are placing a minimum of three straight forecast bets into one bet.

Exacta Forecast:

• The exacta forecast is the exact same as the straight forecast, with the only difference being that the prize is funded by Tote. This means that the total prize fund is driven by the stakes placed on the Exacta market. 

Straight Forecast Double:

• Here, you are essentially placing two straight forecast bets within one bet. So, you will be betting on horse A to finish first and horse B to finish second in one race, and the same to happen in a different race. 

Straight Forecast Treble:

• Very similar to the Straight Forecast Double bet, this one features three races this time.

Reverse Forecast Double:

• This bet is made up of four doubles, and it consists of a combination of the reverse forecast and the straight forecast double. With your initial stake being quadrupled, here is an example of how the bets are made up:

1. Race 1 = 1st Horse A, 2nd Horse B / Race 2 – 1st Horse C, 2nd Horse D
2. Race 1 = 1st Horse A, 2nd Horse B / Race 2 – 1st Horse D, 2nd Horse C
3. Race 1 = 1st Horse B, 2nd Horse A / Race 2 – 1st Horse C, 2nd Horse D
4. Race 1 = 1st Horse B, 2nd Horse A / Race 2 – 1st Horse D, 2nd Horse C

Reverse Forecast Treble:

• The same as the Reverse Forecast Double, but this time the total stake is multiplied by eight, and there are eight different outcomes:

1. Race 1 – 1st Horse A, 2nd Horse B; Race 2 – 1st Horse C, 2nd Horse D; Race 3 – Horse E, 2nd Horse F
2. Race 1 – 1st Horse A, 2nd Horse B; Race 2 – 1st Horse D, 2nd Horse C; Race 3 – 1st Horse E, 2nd Horse F
3. Race 1 – 1st Horse B, 2nd Horse A; Race 2 – 1st Horse C, 2nd Horse D; Race 3 – 1st Horse F, 2nd Horse E
4. Race 1 – 1st Horse A, 2nd Horse B; Race 2 – 1st Horse D, 2nd Horse C; Race 3 – 1st Horse F, 2nd Horse E
5. Race 1 – 1st Horse B, 2nd Horse A; Race 2 – 1st Horse C, 2nd Horse D; Race 3 – 1st Horse E, 2nd Horse F
6. Race 1 – 1st Horse B 2nd Horse A; Race 2 – 1st Horse D, 2nd Horse C; Race 3 – 1st Horse E, 2nd Horse F
7. Race 1 – 1st Horse B, 2nd Horse A; Race 2 – 1st Horse C, 2nd Horse D; Race 3 – 1st Horse F, 2nd Horse E
8. Race 1 – 1st Horse B, 2nd Horse A; Race 2 – 1st Horse D, 2nd Horse C; Race 3 – 1st Horse F, 2nd Horse E

How to Place a Forecast Bet

Similar to creating matched betting scenarios, there are different ways to place forecast bets, and this is due to the variety of bets available throughout the market. To place a straight forecast bet, let’s look at an example from Bet365.

Using an example from 4.10 at Newmarket, we can see that the forecast section is available at Bet365, located in the ‘More Markets’ section. To place the forecast, simply press on the labelled tick symbols for which horse you want to finish first and second, and then add this to your bet slip.

Once this has been added to your bet slip, the odds will be shown for your selection, and you can choose your stake here and place the bet. If you are someone who enjoys value betting, then you can use these odds to work out where you think they represent how likely the selection is or not.

As this is only an example from Bet365, some other bookmakers may have a different layout on their site, but the forecast option will be available with most reputable bookmakers.

When it comes to placing a reverse forecast bet, you can do this in the same section; however, you will be using the ‘Any’ column. Just like straight forecasts, you can simply add this to your bet slip once you have chosen two options.

However, by placing the reverse bet, your stake will be doubled, and you will have to click on ‘show odds’ to display the odds that are used.

Finally, for a combination forecast, you need to repeat the same process with the reverse forecast, but this time you can choose three horses. The stake needs to be multiplied by six due to the combination of bets which are covered in this market.

How To Calculate A Forecast Bet?

When calculating forecast bets, it is not as straightforward as you think, and many use the Starting Price, meaning the dividends aren’t declared until after the race finishes. Therefore, bettors do not know what returns they might expect if they are successful. 

Straight Forecast = Stake x Forecast Odds = Return

Reverse Forecast = Stake x Forecast Odds (for one of the combinations) = Returns – Original Stake = Profit

Combination Forecast = Stake x Forecast Odds (for one of the combinations) = Returns – Original Stake = Profit

For combination forecasts, there can be 5 other combinations that will return a potential profit

What Sports Can You Use A Forecast Bet On? 

Whilst we have only been speaking about horse racing, there are plenty of other sports for which the forecast betting selection can be used. Other sports tend to offer fixed odds for Forecast and Tricast bets, and here are some sports that you can place Forecast bets on:

• Golf – With straight and reverse forecasts in most tournaments, they are definitely available in the 4 major events, like the Masters.
• Football –  Straight and reverse forecast bets are available in popular tournaments such as the Premier League and FA Cup.
• Formula 1 
• Tennis
• Rugby

If you are interested in any of these sports, we have specific guides available for each one, including our golf betting guide and our football betting guide.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Forecast Bets 

Advantages ✅

✅Large Odds – Due to the difficulty of the bet, the odds can be higher than standard selections, as predicting the top two horses can be very rare.

✅Requires Skill – Whilst all bets require luck, and there is the chance that a horse racing novice could successfully predict the two horses, this type of bet requires research. With research being needed, this can reward knowledgeable horse racing fans.

✅BOG – Most bookmakers these days offer the Best Odds Guaranteed, and these are also seen in Forecast bets too. 

Disadvantages ❌

❌Difficulty – Whilst the potential rewards can be great, it is incredibly hard to predict the correct outcome of a forecast bet.

❌Cost – Depending on the type of forecast bets, the stake can increase as some bets, such as combination bets, need six times the stake to be placed.

❌Probability – Users can spend hours studying horse races, and the horse you are sure on could trip at the first jump. As this betting method involves sports, nothing is ever certain, and a degree of luck is required.

Forecast Betting In Sports 

To stand any chance of success with forecast betting, you need to know your research and understand the market very well. Not recommended for novice bettors, but they can offer great odds! 

If you are looking to learn more about horse racing, check out our horse racing guide, or you can look through our many guides in our matched betting blog.