Tricast Sports Calculator
Work out a racing tricast (trifecta) payout for three horses.
How to Use This Calculator
- Pick your tricast type, straight (one exact order) or combination (all six orderings)
- Enter the odds for each of your three horses
- Enter your unit stake
- Check 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's a tricast bet?
A tricast (known as a trifecta in the US) is a bet on which three horses finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd. A straight tricast needs the exact order, while a combination tricast covers all six possible orderings for six times the stake.
When is a combination tricast the way to go?
Go with a combination when you’re sure which three horses will fill the placings but not the order. The downside is paying 6x stake. If you’ve got a firm view on the order, a straight tricast pays the same on the winning order for one-sixth of the cost.
How are tricast payouts worked out?
UK bookmakers normally apply the Computer Tricast Forecast (CTF) formula, based on starting prices and field size. The multiply-it-out approach (Odds x Odds x Odds) is only a rough guide. Real dividends can swing by 30%+ depending on field strength.
Is a tricast good value?
Tricasts come with huge variance, the odds of landing one are low but the payouts are massive. Keep them to a small slice of your bankroll. Sharper bettors usually stick to shorter-priced markets where there are structural edges, so tricasts are mostly for fun.