Tricast Bet Helper
Work out a horse racing tricast (trifecta) payout for three horses in order.
How to Use This Calculator
- Pick your tricast type — straight (one exact order) or combination (all six possible orders)
- Type in the odds for each of your three horses
- Type in your unit stake
- Take a look at your total stake, combined odds, return and profit
Formula
Combined Odds = Odds₁ × Odds₂ × Odds₃
Straight Tricast: 1 bet at unit stake.
Combination Tricast: 6 bets at unit stake (3! orderings) — total stake = 6 × unit stake. Only the correct ordering pays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tricast bet?
A tricast (known as a trifecta in the US) is a bet predicting which three horses will finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd. A straight tricast needs the exact finishing order, while a combination tricast covers all six possible orderings for six times the stake.
When is a combination tricast the better choice?
Go with a combination when you feel sure about which three horses will fill the places but aren’t certain of the order. The downside is that you pay 6× your stake. If you do have firm views on the order, a straight tricast pays out exactly the same on the winning order while costing just one-sixth as much.
How are tricast payouts worked out?
UK bookmakers generally apply the Computer Tricast Forecast (CTF) formula, which is based on starting prices and the size of the field. The simple multiplicative method (Odds × Odds × Odds) is only a rough guide. Actual dividends can swing by 30%+ depending on how strong the field is.
Is a tricast good value?
Tricasts come with very high variance — your chance of winning is small, but the payouts can be enormous. It’s wise to keep them to a tiny slice of your bankroll. Sharper bettors usually concentrate on shorter-priced markets where structural edges are easier to find, so tricasts are mostly just for fun.