A forecast asks for the first two finishers in the correct order. A tricast extends the puzzle to the first three. The attraction is obvious, but so is the trap: add more selections to a combination and the ticket grows much faster than it first appears.
| Bet | Selections | Exact-order lines |
|---|---|---|
| Straight forecast | 2 | 1 |
| Reverse forecast | 2 | 2 |
| 3-horse combination forecast | 3 | 6 |
| Straight tricast | 3 | 1 |
| 4-horse combination tricast | 4 | 24 |
| 5-horse combination tricast | 5 | 60 |
The formulas
A combination forecast with n selections contains n × (n − 1) lines. A combination tricast contains n × (n − 1) × (n − 2) lines. At £1 per line, five tricast selections therefore cost £60, not £5.
Why the calculator asks for a dividend
Forecast and tricast returns are normally settled from a declared dividend after the race. That figure cannot be known accurately in advance. Enter the final dividend per £1 once it is available, then the tool multiplies it by the stake carried by the successful line. For wider racing settlement questions, use the Bet Settlement Centre.