What is a tricast bet?

A tricast bet is a type of multiple wager where you’re required to correctly predict the first, second and third finishers in a race. It’s a popular betting option in both horse racing betting and greyhound betting. Because you must identify the top three runners and their finishing positions, tricast bets are harder to land than a forecast bet. That added difficulty is also why the potential returns are often higher than both straight win and forecast bets.

Straight Tricast

A straight tricast is the most straightforward version of this bet. It works the same way as a straight forecast bet except you have to predict the first three finishers in the exact order they cross the line instead of the first two.

To win, all three selections need to finish in the order you predicted, with your first choice winning the race, your second finishing runner up and your third placing third. If any of the selections finish in a different order, or if one fails to finish in the top three, the bet loses.

Combination Tricast

A combination tricast allows you to select three or more runners in the same race. You win if any three of your selections finish first, second and third in any order. Because this creates multiple straight tricast bets, the overall stake increases as you add more selections.

Common combinations include:
3 selections create 6 bets
4 selections create 24 bets
5 selections create 60 bets
6 selections create 120 bets

This option is often used when there are several strong contenders and you want a wider coverage of the top three places.

Why place a tricast bet?

Placing a tricast bet can be a good choice if you’re confident about the three runners most likely to feature at the head of the field.

It offers the chance of higher returns than win or forecast bets, as correctly predicting the top three finishers in order is more challenging.

Tricast bets can also provide good value in races where the leading runners are clearly stronger than the rest. If you believe they’ll dominate the podium positions, a tricast can be a rewarding way to approach the race compared to backing a single winner.

Tricast bets should be treated as a fun way to cover the outcome of a race. We have lots of helpful tools in our safer gambling hub to help you bet the Wright way.