Forecast Bet Helper
Work out a horse racing forecast (exacta) payout from two horses' odds and your stake.
How to Use This Calculator
- Pick your forecast type, either straight (one exact 1-2 order) or reverse (either order works)
- Enter the odds of the horse you’ve chosen for 1st place
- Enter the odds of the horse you’ve chosen for 2nd place
- Type in your unit stake
- See your total stake, combined odds, return and profit
Formula
Combined Odds = Odds₁ × Odds₂
Straight Forecast: 1 bet, total stake = unit stake.
Reverse Forecast: 2 bets (both orders), total stake = 2 × unit stake. Only the correct order wins; payout = unit stake × combined odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a forecast bet?
A forecast (known as an exacta in the US) is a bet on which two horses will come 1st and 2nd in a race. A straight forecast needs you to get the exact order right, while a reverse forecast covers both orders for twice the stake.
How does a forecast differ from each-way?
Each-way is really two separate bets (one to win and one to place) on a single horse. A forecast, on the other hand, is one bet that links two horses’ finishing spots together. Forecasts pay out far more, but they’re less likely to land.
Should I go for a straight or reverse forecast?
Pick straight if you feel strongly about which horse will win. Go for reverse if you reckon two horses will take 1st and 2nd but you’re not sure of the order. You’ll double your stake, but you cover both possibilities.
Are forecast odds just the book odds multiplied together?
Most UK bookmakers go by the Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) dividends declared by the Tote/SP rather than odds simply multiplied together. Multiplying the odds gives you a handy estimate, but real payouts can swing by around 10-20% depending on the field-strength formula in use.