Tricast Betting Calculator
Tricast (trifecta) racing payout for three horses.
How to Use This Calculator
- Pick the tricast type — straight (one set order) or combination (all six orderings)
- Input the odds for each of your three horses
- Input your unit stake
- Read 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
Define a tricast bet.
A tricast (trifecta in the US) is a bet on which three horses finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd. A straight tricast demands the exact order; a combination tricast covers all six possible orderings for six times the stake.
When is a combination tricast appropriate?
Opt for combination when you’re sure which three horses fill the placings but uncertain about order. The cost is paying 6× stake. With firm views on the order, a straight tricast pays the same on the winning order at one-sixth the cost.
How are tricast payouts derived?
UK bookmakers typically apply the Computer Tricast Forecast (CTF) formula based on starting prices and field size. The multiplicative model (Odds × Odds × Odds) is a rough approximation. Actual dividends can swing by 30%+ depending on field strength.
Does a tricast offer good value?
Tricasts carry very high variance — low win probability but huge payouts. They warrant only a small slice of your bankroll. Sharper bettors lean toward shorter-priced markets where structural edges exist; tricasts are largely leisure bets.