UK odds, American Odds and EU odds differ. What What Is A Forecast, or Forecast Betting in hte 3 odds types, what are htey called, how do they payout? Do you know the differences?

Yes, I can explain the differences in "forecast" or "forecast betting" in the three main types of odds: UK (fractional), American (moneyline), and EU (decimal).

What is Forecast Betting?
In forecast betting, you're predicting the outcome of an event, usually in racing (like horse racing), where you forecast which two competitors will finish in the top two positions. The order in which they finish is important in some cases, while in others, the positions might be interchangeable. This type of bet has two main variants:

Straight Forecast (or Exacta) – Predicting the first and second place in a specific order.
Reverse Forecast – Predicting the first and second place in any order (i.e., you don't need to get the exact finishing order, just the two competitors in the top spots).

1. UK (Fractional) Odds:
In the UK, forecast betting is most often used in horse racing and can be referred to as "Straight Forecast" or "Exacta". There is also the option of a "Reverse Forecast" (or "Dual Forecast" in some cases).

Straight Forecast: In the case of fractional odds, let’s say you place a bet for the horses in positions 1st and 2nd (in a specific order), with odds of 5/1 for the first place and 2/1 for the second. If your prediction is correct, your payout is based on the product of both odds.

How it works: If you bet £1 on a straight forecast and your selected horses finish 1st and 2nd in that order, you would win the amount as per the odds, i.e., £1 bet on 5/1 and 2/1 might pay £5 + £2 for a total of £7. This varies based on the specific odds of the bet.
Reverse Forecast: For the reverse forecast, if you pick two competitors but don’t specify which finishes first and which finishes second, and both horses finish in the top two in any order, you win the bet. The odds for this might be a bit lower than a straight forecast because it’s a more common outcome.

Payout example (Reverse Forecast): Suppose you place a £1 bet on horses A and B in a reverse forecast at odds of 4/1 and 3/1. The payout for a successful bet would be the combined odds, often a bit lower for reverse, depending on the bookmaker.

 AI @ 7:16 pm, February 10, 2025  

2. American Odds (Moneyline):
In American odds, a forecast bet is typically referred to as an Exacta or Exacta Box, depending on the format (whether you're betting on an exact order or any order). The moneyline odds are expressed with a plus (+) or minus (-) symbol.

Straight Forecast (Exacta): In moneyline odds, the payout calculation can be more complex due to the different nature of American odds. The basic idea is that you predict which two participants will finish in the top two spots (in a specific order).

Example: You bet on two horses: one with a +200 (which means you would win $200 on a $100 bet if that horse finishes 1st) and another with a +300 (you would win $300 on a $100 bet if that horse finishes 2nd). You bet these two horses in the exact order, and if you win, the payout is calculated based on the total combination of odds.

Reverse Forecast: This is usually referred to as an Exacta Box in American terms. This bet covers all combinations of the top two finishes without needing to specify the order. The payout is similar to the straight forecast but can be a bit lower, as there is a higher chance of hitting the outcome.

 AI @ 7:16 pm, February 10, 2025  

How about tricasts? Is it the same theory, except for 3 horses?

Yes, Tricast betting is similar to Forecast betting in that you're predicting the outcome of an event, but with a Tricast, you’re picking the top three finishers rather than just the top two.

The basic theory behind Tricast betting is the same: you are betting on competitors to finish in a particular order, but in the case of Tricast, you have to predict which three competitors will finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and in the correct order.

Breakdown of Tricast Betting:
Straight Tricast:
You pick three competitors (e.g., horses, runners, etc.) to finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in a specific order.

The bet requires the exact finishing order. For example, if you bet on horses A, B, and C to finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places respectively, you must get the exact order right for the bet to win.

Reverse Tricast:
This is like the Reverse Forecast, where you pick the top three competitors, but the order in which they finish doesn’t matter. As long as they occupy the top three positions, you win.
This type of bet is a bit easier than a Straight Tricast but typically has lower odds, as the probability of winning is higher.

Tricast Payouts:
Straight Tricast: The payout is generally higher because the likelihood of picking the exact top three finishers in a specific order is lower. The odds for this bet can be quite large, depending on the event and the competitors involved.

Reverse Tricast: The payout is usually lower because it’s easier to win, as you don’t need to predict the exact order. You just need the right three competitors in the top three positions.

Payout Calculation (Similar to Forecast):
UK (Fractional): The payout for a Tricast bet in fractional odds will depend on the combination of odds for the top three finishers. For example, if you bet on three horses, each with odds of 4/1, 6/1, and 8/1, the payout would be calculated as the product of those odds. If your horses finish in the right order, your bet would pay 4/1 × 6/1 × 8/1 (i.e., 192/1), multiplied by your stake.

 AI @ 7:21 pm, February 10, 2025  

American (Moneyline): In American odds, the payout is more complex but works in a similar way to other bet types. You multiply the moneyline odds of each competitor together. For example, if the odds are +200, +300, and +400, you would multiply the odds together to find your payout. This combination is then applied to your stake, and the odds might be slightly lower for a Reverse Tricast since the probability of winning is higher.

EU (Decimal): The payout is straightforward. You multiply the decimal odds of the three competitors together. For example, if the odds for three competitors are 3.00, 5.00, and 8.00, the total odds for the bet would be 3.00 × 5.00 × 8.00 = 120.00, and your payout would be that total, multiplied by your stake.

 AI @ 7:22 pm, February 10, 2025  

3. EU (Decimal) Odds:
In EU (Decimal) odds, forecast betting works similarly to UK odds, but the payout calculation is much simpler because decimal odds are easier to calculate. The term used in EU markets is often the "Exacta" for straight forecast bets.

Straight Forecast: If you pick a straight forecast in decimal odds, the payout will be calculated as the product of the two odds. For example, if you place a bet on two competitors to finish 1st and 2nd with odds of 6.00 and 3.00, the payout would be calculated by multiplying the odds together, so your payout would be 6.00 x 3.00 = 18.00 times your stake.

Example: A €10 bet would yield a payout of €180 if successful.

Reverse Forecast: In EU odds, the reverse forecast works similarly, but with slightly lower odds than the straight forecast, as it covers more potential outcomes. Again, it doesn’t matter which horse finishes first or second. The odds are generally slightly lower to reflect the increased likelihood of success.

 AI @ 7:22 pm, February 10, 2025  

How about tricasts? Is it the same theory, except for 3 horses?

Yes, Tricast betting is similar to Forecast betting in that you're predicting the outcome of an event, but with a Tricast, you’re picking the top three finishers rather than just the top two.

The basic theory behind Tricast betting is the same: you are betting on competitors to finish in a particular order, but in the case of Tricast, you have to predict which three competitors will finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and in the correct order.

Breakdown of Tricast Betting:
Straight Tricast:
You pick three competitors (e.g., horses, runners, etc.) to finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in a specific order.

The bet requires the exact finishing order. For example, if you bet on horses A, B, and C to finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places respectively, you must get the exact order right for the bet to win.

Reverse Tricast:
This is like the Reverse Forecast, where you pick the top three competitors, but the order in which they finish doesn’t matter. As long as they occupy the top three positions, you win.
This type of bet is a bit easier than a Straight Tricast but typically has lower odds, as the probability of winning is higher.

Tricast Payouts:
Straight Tricast: The payout is generally higher because the likelihood of picking the exact top three finishers in a specific order is lower. The odds for this bet can be quite large, depending on the event and the competitors involved.

Reverse Tricast: The payout is usually lower because it’s easier to win, as you don’t need to predict the exact order. You just need the right three competitors in the top three positions.

Payout Calculation (Similar to Forecast):
UK (Fractional): The payout for a Tricast bet in fractional odds will depend on the combination of odds for the top three finishers. For example, if you bet on three horses, each with odds of 4/1, 6/1, and 8/1, the payout would be calculated as the product of those odds. If your horses finish in the right order, your bet would pay 4/1 × 6/1 × 8/1 (i.e., 192/1), multiplied by your stake.

 AI @ 7:23 pm, February 10, 2025  

American (Moneyline): In American odds, the payout is more complex but works in a similar way to other bet types. You multiply the moneyline odds of each competitor together. For example, if the odds are +200, +300, and +400, you would multiply the odds together to find your payout. This combination is then applied to your stake, and the odds might be slightly lower for a Reverse Tricast since the probability of winning is higher.

EU (Decimal): The payout is straightforward. You multiply the decimal odds of the three competitors together. For example, if the odds for three competitors are 3.00, 5.00, and 8.00, the total odds for the bet would be 3.00 × 5.00 × 8.00 = 120.00, and your payout would be that total, multiplied by your stake.

 AI @ 7:24 pm, February 10, 2025  

Differences Between Forecast and Tricast Betting:

Bet Type Forecast (Exacta) | Tricast (Trifecta)
Number of Picks 2 competitors (1st and 2nd) | 3 competitors (1st, 2nd, and 3rd)
Order Matters? Yes (for straight forecast) | Yes (for straight tricast)
Reverse Option? Yes (Reverse Forecast/Dual Forecast) | Yes (Reverse Tricast)
Payout Based on two competitors’ odds | Based on three competitors’ odds
Difficulty Easier than Tricast | More difficult (picking the top three)

Conclusion:
Tricast betting operates under the same basic theory as forecast betting: predicting the outcome (in specific or any order) of the event's finishers.

The key difference is that Tricast involves predicting three competitors, while Forecast only involves two.

Payouts for Tricast betting can be much larger because the difficulty of predicting the exact order of the top three finishers is greater.

Whether it's a straight Tricast or a reverse Tricast, the logic is the same: you are predicting a group of finishers (3 in the case of Tricast) and are rewarded based on the odds of those selections finishing in the correct positions.

 AI @ 7:28 pm, February 10, 2025  

What do they mean by combination forecasts and tricasts?

Combination Forecasts and Combination Tricasts are variations of the standard forecast and tricast bets. They offer more flexibility in terms of the possible outcomes you’re betting on, and they are designed to increase your chances of winning by covering multiple combinations of selections, not just the exact one.

Let me break down each one:

Combination Forecast:
A Combination Forecast is a way of betting on the top two finishers (like a standard forecast), but you don’t specify the exact order in which they finish. This means that you're covering all possible combinations of the top two competitors finishing in the top two spots. This is effectively like betting on a reverse forecast, but in a more structured way.

How it works:

Let’s say you want to bet on horses A, B, and C to finish in the top two positions, but you’re not concerned with which horse finishes 1st or 2nd.
A combination forecast allows you to place a bet that covers all possible orders of these horses finishing in the top two spots. So, you’re betting on the following combinations:
A in 1st, B in 2nd
A in 1st, C in 2nd
B in 1st, A in 2nd
B in 1st, C in 2nd
C in 1st, A in 2nd
C in 1st, B in 2nd
Cost: Since you're covering all these combinations, the cost of a combination forecast will be higher than a standard straight forecast. If you bet £1 per combination, the cost would be £6 (for 6 combinations).

Payout: If two of the horses you selected finish in the top two spots in any order, you win. The payout is based on the odds of the horses and how the combination comes in.

 AI @ 7:31 pm, February 10, 2025  

Combination Tricast:
A Combination Tricast works the same way as a combination forecast, but instead of predicting the top two finishers, you're predicting the top three finishers in any order.

How it works:

Let’s say you want to bet on horses A, B, and C to finish in the top three positions, but you're not specifying the exact finishing order.
A combination tricast allows you to cover all possible combinations of horses finishing in the top three. So, you're effectively placing a bet on each possible combination of horses finishing in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
For three horses, the combinations you cover would be:
A in 1st, B in 2nd, C in 3rd
A in 1st, C in 2nd, B in 3rd
B in 1st, A in 2nd, C in 3rd
B in 1st, C in 2nd, A in 3rd
C in 1st, A in 2nd, B in 3rd
C in 1st, B in 2nd, A in 3rd
Cost: The cost will depend on the number of possible combinations. For three horses, there are 6 combinations (since there are 6 possible orders of 3 competitors). If you bet £1 per combination, the total cost would be £6.

Payout: If your three horses finish in the top three positions, regardless of order, you'll win the bet. The payout is based on the odds of the horses involved, and typically the odds would be smaller than a straight tricast bet because of the higher likelihood of winning.

 AI @ 7:31 pm, February 10, 2025  

Summary of Differences Between Combination and Standard Forecast/Tricast:

Bet Type Standard Forecast | Combination Forecast | Standard Tricast | Combination Tricast
Number of Finishers | 2 (top 2 positions) | 2 (top 2 positions, any order) | 3 (top 3 positions) | 3 (top 3 positions, any order)

Order Matters? Yes (specific order of 1st and 2nd) | No (any order of 1st and 2nd) | Yes (specific order of 1st, 2nd, 3rd) | No (any order of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd)

Combinations Covered | 1 combination (exact order) | All possible combinations of top 2 | 1 combination (exact order) | All possible combinations of top 3

Cost | Lower (one combination) | Higher (costs more as you cover more combinations) | Lower (one combination) | Higher (costs more as you cover more combinations)

Payout | Based on exact order of finishers | Lower payout as there’s more coverage (easier to win) | Higher payout (harder to get exact order) | Lower payout (easier to win)

Example:
Let’s say you want to bet on three horses, A, B, and C, and you want to place a combination tricast bet:

Your £1 stake covers 6 combinations:
A in 1st, B in 2nd, C in 3rd
A in 1st, C in 2nd, B in 3rd
B in 1st, A in 2nd, C in 3rd
B in 1st, C in 2nd, A in 3rd
C in 1st, A in 2nd, B in 3rd
C in 1st, B in 2nd, A in 3rd
If the horses finish in any of these orders, you'll win the bet, and your payout is based on the odds of those horses.

Conclusion:
Combination Forecasts and Combination Tricasts are ways of increasing your chances of winning by covering all possible combinations of top finishers in an event.

These bets are more flexible and cost more than standard forecast or tricast bets, as you're covering multiple possible outcomes.

They are typically used in horse racing, greyhound racing, or similar events, where the competition has a clear set of competitors.

 AI @ 7:35 pm, February 10, 2025  

According to Richard de Rothschild, Owner of https://www.tipsterchallenge.com the largest tricast dividends in UK racing history are as follows:

Date: 18-06-2024
Time: 3:05
Race Course: Royal Ascot
Race Details and Conditions: Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
Distance: 6f
Going: Good-Firm
Type: FLAT
Tricast Payout: £83,273.26
Trifecta Payout: £122,667.10
1st Place: Rashabar (80/1)
2nd Place: Electrolyte (40/1)
3rd Place: Columnist (50/1)



Date: 15-06-2013
Time: 4:45
Race Course: Bath
Race Details and Conditions: Brightview Windows Handicap (Class 6)
Distance: 1m 2f
Going: Firm
Type: FLAT
Tricast Payout: £95,077.79
Trifecta Payout: N/A
1st Place: Hawaiian Freeze (66/1)
2nd Place: Devon Diva (50/1)
3rd Place: Madam Tessa (66/1)



Date: 14-03-2019
Time: 4:50
Race Course: Cheltenham
Race Details and Conditions: NHB Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)
Distance: 2m 179yds
Going: Good-Soft
Type: NH (National Hunt)
Tricast Payout: £73,711.25
Trifecta Payout: £23,748.90
1st Place: Eglantine Du Seuil (50/1)
2nd Place: Concertista (66/1)
3rd Place: Tintangle (40/1)



Date: 21-09-2024
Time: 3:35
Race Course: Ayr
Race Details and Conditions: Ayr Gold Cup Handicap
Distance: 6f
Going: Good (GF in places)
Type: FLAT
Tricast Payout: £39,494.40
Trifecta Payout: £60,053.90
1st Place: Lethal Levi (20/1)
2nd Place: Silkie Wilkie (66/1)
3rd Place: Korker (54/1)



Date: 18-06-2022
Time: 2:30
Race Course: Ascot
Race Details and Conditions: Chesham Stakes (Listed Race)
Distance: 7f
Going: Good-Firm
Type: FLAT
Tricast Payout: £66,051.84
Trifecta Payout: £28,624.90
1st Place: Holloway Boy (40/1)
2nd Place: Pearling Path (80/1)
3rd Place: Lakota Sioux (33/1)



Date: 17-03-2023
Time: 4:10
Race Course: Cheltenham
Race Details and Conditions: St James Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters Chase
Distance: 3m 2f 70y
Going: Soft
Type: NH (National Hunt)
Tricast Payout: £59,185.51
Trifecta Payout: £26,440.90
1st Place: Premier Magic (66/1)
2nd Place: Its On The Line (28/1)
3rd Place: Shantou Flyer (50/1)

 Sandracer @ 7:45 pm, February 10, 2025