A
Trifecta
(or Tricast) is the correct selection of the first, second, and third place finishers across the wire in the exact order in horse and greyhound racing. In this review, we are offering an in-depth analysis of this method and how you can use it to potentially benefit you.
It is certainly not an easy bet prediction to make, but like the Scorecast bet with team sports, it provides great rewards if done right. Read our helpful guide on "What's a scorecast bet?" if you are interested to learn more.
Important Facts to know about Tricast bet
- Exact order of selection is important.
- Tricast bet is a very advanced and complex kind of bet.
- Tricast bet (Trifectas) is commonly used in horse and greyhound racing.
- Horse racing betting
and greyhound racing have different criteria before
tricast
option is offered.
- Small amount of stake can result in a relatively large return.
Tricast bet Explained
First thing you must know about a tricast bet before using a tricast calculator is that it is commonly used in horse and greyhound racing. Simply put, punters betting trifecta are required to make three selections to win the first, second, and third place.
Tricast bet is a form of forecast betting whose complexity sets in as it adds one extra prediction to the usual two predictions made for a forecast. When bettors make a tricast bet, they are predicting the first three finishers in a single event such that they must get the first, second, and third place holders right.
Tricast bet Examples
Some conditions must be met before a tricast bet is available for an event. In horse racing, there must be at least eight (8) runners declared in a handicap for the option of tricast to be offered, while in greyhound racing, there must be at least six (6) runners before tricast bet option is made available to punters.
There are two major types of tricast bet. There is Straight tricast and there is Combination tricast. A Straight tricast bet is basically the normal tricast bet (trifecta betting) in which the three selections must win in the order that they are written on the betting slip for punters to make return.
A Combination tricast bet requires the selections to win in any order. The combination tricast bet is discussed in more detail in the later part of this article. So make sure you understand the different types of bets in your tricast calculator of choice.
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Combination Tricast Bet
Put simply, a combination tricast bet means all possible tricast options are available for the bettor’s chosen selections. A combination tricast bet allows bettors to make three selections that will come in first, second, and third place, without having to worry about the order in which these selections come in.
The tricast bet, or straight tricast bet, is very difficult because the order must be correctly predicted. In a combination tricast, the three selections can finish in any order. The combination bet is six bets that cover all possible outcomes that the three selections can take.
With a combination tricast calculator, a bettor selects Horse 1, Horse 5, and Horse 6 to finish in the top three.

With a combination tricast bet, the six bets involved would be as follows:
- The first bet is placed on Horse 1 to finish in first place, Horse 5 to finish in second place, and Horse 6 to finish in third place;
- The second bet is placed on Horse 1 to finish in first place, Horse 6 to finish in second place and Horse 5 to finish in third place;
- The second bet is placed on Horse 5 to finish in first place, Horse 1 to finish in second place and Horse 6 to finish in third place;
- The second bet is placed on Horse 5 to finish in first place, Horse 6 to finish in second place and Horse 1 to finish in third place;
- The second bet is placed on Horse 6 to finish in first place, Horse 5 to finish in second place and Horse 1 to finish in third place;
- The second bet is placed on Horse 6 to finish in first place, Horse 1 to finish in second place and Horse 5 to finish in third place.
- While bettors placing a combination tricast do not have to worry about order, they have to worry about the original stake been multiplied by 6. This means that a $1 combination tricast bet will actually cost $6.
Be sure to select the option that makes sense to the race and verify that you're using a reliable combination tricast calculator for accurate calculations.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tricast bet
Tricasts bets are used in greyhound and horse racing, which are two of the most popular markets in the racing world. Let's go through some Advantages and Disadvantages of Tricast Betting.
The Disadvantages
One major disadvantage is that a tricast bet (trifecta betting) is associated with a very unfavorable chance of making correct predictions. It is very difficult to predict, so more often than not results of trifecta bets often come in a loss.
Further Disadvantages to Take Note of
- Predicting three first finishers in a race is difficult enough, but imagine the difficulty involved if you now have to make that prediction in the correct order? Successfully making a correct prediction will most likely involve experience at its peak, or a very strong portion of luck.
- Some bettors often reduce this risk by simply changing their (straight) tricast bet into a combination tricast. Turning your tricast bet into a combination tricast bet relatively reduces your risk exposure.
- This means that as long as your three selections come in first, second, and third, in any order that they do, it doesn’t really matter. However, making a combination tricast bet will cost you more for the simple reason that a combination tricast bet basically lumps several single tricast bets together.

The Advantages
For those who feel they’ve already explored the fairly complex and common betting types and feel like tackling something more complex, a tricast bet is a good choice to consider. There are two major pros for tricast bet:
Some More Advantages to Consider
- Firstly, it is possible to win quite a large amount on a relatively small stake when a tricast bet is in the discourse.
- Secondly, it is possible for someone with inside or intimate knowledge of a race to easily make selections especially for a combination tricast. Despite all the risks and disadvantages that come with tricast bet, the simple truth is that bettors who do manage to get a tricast bet spot on are undoubtedly in for a big treat. It’s a big payoff in return. Bettors can always use a trixie bet calculator to get a bearing on stake, return and profit.
How To Place a Tricast Bet?
Placing a Tricast bet is easy! Whilst every bookmaker will differ slightly from one another, they're basically the same.
Step 1 - Choose a Race
First, choose the race you're going to be betting on. For this example, we've chosen Charlestown, race 1. But remember, you can choose any race that you like

Step 2 - Select The Type of Bet
Next, choose the type of bet you want to wager. Since we're talking about Tricast betting, choose Tricast as indicated within the example below. Generally, most providers will have the type of bet you want to place on the race itself or the betting slip. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the betting provider of your choice.

Step 3 - Make your selections
Once you've successfully chosen your bet type, it's now time to get down to business, and to select who you think is going to win your bet! Remember that a Tricast bet means that you're dictating who's going to finish in 1st, 2nd & 3rd place in that exact order, so make sure you double-check your selections before placing the bet.

Step 4 - Sit Back & Relax
Now that you've successfully placed your bet, all that's left is to sit back, relax, and keep your fingers crossed that your selections win.
Which Bookmakers Offer the Best Tricast bet?
We have thoroughly researched the best sportsbooks for a Tricast bet; the result of which is available on our
Sports Betting comparison page, just select your preferred bookies in the list of trusted sites offering tricast bet that we’ve compiled.
Keep in mind that most online horse racing betting sites also offer online casino games. We recommend setting up an account with a betting site which allows you to open an account with their
US online casino
as well as their sportsbook. This allows you to have it all encompassed under one roof, allowing you to play flexibly with your deposits.
If you are interested in betting on more than just horse races, Captain Gambling has all the strategy guides and articles you need. Newbies can start off with some simpler guides, like our article on
Moneyline Betting Explained
or the
Surebet Explained.
Tricast Bet with these sports betting sitessports
Conclusion
The Tricast bet can be very rewarding and is mostly used by professionals and experienced bettors as well as those who are bold enough to dare try it, with less emphasis on years of betting experience.
Make sure you calculate your winning odds using a tricast odds calculator, and make sure you're choosing the right trixie calculator by differentiating a tricast calculator, and a combination tricast calculator.
Though there is a certain level of difficulty involved in correctly predicting the outcomes of a tricast bet, there is always the option of reducing this risk by engaging a combination tricast bet wherein bettors don’t have to worry about order, just to make three correct selections.
The trade off for reducing risk by making a combination tricast bet is that stake gets multiplied by six; a reasonable trade off by the way. Head over to our sports betting comparison page to find a suitable bookmaker for your next tricast bet and join the league of extraordinary bettors.
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