Understanding how a tricast calculator works
Cutting to the chase, I must state that tricast calculators are simple to use. First, you’ll have to enter the odds for the three horses you want to bet on. Next is your stake. That’s all, and the tricast betting odds calculator will automatically compute your payout.
The payout indicates how much you’ll win if you place the bet. Besides the payout, the calculator will also show your profit (winnings — bet amount) and your probability of winning the bet based on the odds.
You may come across calculators with more options. From my research and experience, some tricast calculators allow bettors to adjust the bet options and number of runners, among others.
Such kind of tricast calculators with extra options are more advanced and also useful for complex wagers, like combination bets. If you're one that frequently wagers on horse racing events, you should invest your time in learning to use these advanced calculators because they can significantly improve your betting experience.
Now that you know how tricast betting calculators work, here’s my step-by-step guide on how to use one:
- Launch the tricast calculator
- Enter the odds of the first, second, and third horse you want to bet on
- Click the Calculate or Submit button
- Review the results
- Adjust or place your bet based on the calculated results
Our first-hand test of a tricast bet calculator
To help you properly understand how tricast calculators work, I carried out a first-hand test with a real-life horse racing event in the 2024 Belmont Stakes. These were my predictions for the top three finishers:
| Racing Team | Our Prediction | Odds |
| Mindframe | 1st position | +400 |
| Sierra Leone | 2nd position | +125 |
| Seize the Grey | 3rd position | +800 |
So, I launched a straight tricast calculator and entered the odds for my predictions: +400, +125, and +800. Next, I entered $10 as my stake and hit the Calculate button.
After calculating, the tool gave the combined odds of 10025, and my potential payout was $1,012.50. It was that easy, and I instantly knew how much I’d win if my prediction played out correctly.
Interestingly, I got to realize how useful such a calculator can be in assessing betting risks before placing a stake. For example, you could actually compare payouts and probabilities for multiple sets of odds which can help you make better decisions.
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A detailed explanation of tricast betting
As I mentioned in the introduction, tricast is a popular way to bet on horse races. The reason many bettors go for it is because it’s straightforward. With a tricast bet, you simply predict the first three finishers of a race.
Tricast bets are easy to place, but they’re also one of the most difficult to predict correctly. That’s why calculators are available to make the process easier.
You’ll agree picking the horses to finish in first, second, and third position can be tricky. As a result, tricast bets usually come with high odds. If your prediction is on point, you can expect higher payouts.
I can’t discuss tricast betting without highlighting the different types: straight and combination. You can compute both with a quality tricast odds calculator, and I’ve explained them in more detail below:
Straight tricast
A straight tricast involves predicting the top three finishers in a particular order. That means you pick Horse A to finish first, Horse B as second, and Horse C to take the third position.
If the first horse comes second or there are similar mixups, your bet won’t win. Based on my experience, straight tricast bets are more tricky to predict than combination wagers. However, they also offer higher payouts, which makes them worthwhile for those players that are confident in their predictions.
Combination tricast
It’s much easier to win a combination tricast bet than a straight one. The reason is that you don’t have to predict the finishers in an exact order. All you need to do is to pick your top three horses, and you'd win, so long as they finish ahead of all others.
Some bettors find combination tricast bets complex, and I understand why. The deal is that making such a wager implies placing multiple straight bets on the different possible combinations of the three horses. At first, it might seem confusing, but a combination tricast calculator makes things much easier. This tool does all the work for you by calculating the total cost of your bets automatically. You won’t need to do any math yourself, which would most likely save you time and also ensure that you don’t make mistakes when you're placing bets.
Here’s what I mean:
- Horse A 1st, Horse B 2nd, Horse C 3rd
- Horse A 1st, Horse C 2nd, Horse B 3rd
- Horse B 1st, Horse A 2nd, Horse C 3rd
- Horse B 1st, Horse C 2nd, Horse A 3rd
- Horse C 1st, Horse A 2nd, Horse B 3rd
- Horse C 1st, Horse B 2nd, Horse A 3rd
If you place a straight tricast bet on each of the above predictions for the same race, you get a combination bet. In my example, I staked only $10 on a straight bet. If I had used a combination tricast calculator instead, the amount would be $60 ($10 x 6). This is because when you place a combination bet, you're basically betting on multiple possible outcomes using the same set of horses. This can actually get complicated quickly, but the combination tricast calculator is what helps you to keep track. It shows you the total amount you're betting, so you'd be able to know know exactly what to expect before finalizing your wager.
It’s important not to mistake combination bets for parlay or accumulators. If you check a
parlay calculator, you’ll find that you can still place a single wager on multiple events, with the goal of increasing the odds and the potential payout. That’s not the case with combination tricast bets since you’re making different predictions on the same event. The key difference here is that in a parlay, you are combining bets from different events, while with a combination tricast bet, all your wagers are still tied to one single race.
Top reasons to use tricast betting calculators
From my experience, a tricast odds calculator is highly valuable when wagering on horse racing events. It’s even more crucial if you’re new to the scene, and here are the top reasons:
1. Easy combination analysis
One of the main advantages of using a tricast calculator is that you can quickly check how much your combination bets will cost. Since the stake must match the number of combinations, getting the amount manually can be confusing.
Thankfully, as you enter odds and specify the positions, the calculator will automatically roll out the total stake and also your potential payout. It’s similar to using a
Yankee bet calculator
that simplifies wagering on different events.
When you get the tricast results from the calculator, one of the outputs is the probability of your bet winning. Of course, the tool can get this from the odd rates you enter.
So, at a go, you can easily tell if you have a higher chance of beating the sportsbook or not. Therefore, it’ll guide your ultimate decision on making the bet.
3. Saves time and eliminates error
Sometimes, you won’t have the time to analyze your predictions before betting. As experts, I recognize the importance of proper research, so I don’t advise skipping it.
Rather than jump the process, you can get through it much faster with a tricast bet calculator. Besides the fact that it’ll save time, using such a calculator also removes room for manual error.
Are you a bettor who tracks your stakes? Such a habit is pretty valuable, as it helps you monitor your betting activities if you’re trying to stay responsible. A tricast betting calculator helps, too.
From your calculations, you can quickly get the numbers and statistics you need for your records. You can even keep track of bets you don’t eventually place and use them for future analysis.
Find out more reliable betting calculators from my guides
I have guides on many other betting calculators you can rely on when staking on other sports besides horse racing. For instance, if you’re a soccer or basketball bettor, you’ll want to check out my
accumulator calculator
guide. Here’s the complete range of other
betting calculators
for sports bettors:
Conclusion – Leverage tricast calculators for easy horse race betting
So far, my guide has confirmed how helpful tricast odds calculator tools are. The best part is that using them is a walk in the park, as you only have to enter your odds and bet amount. Yet, the tools go a long way in simplifying both straight and combination tricast. If you want a more seamless experience as a horse racing bettor, ensure you use one for your next prediction.
Tricast calculator FAQs
📌 Are tricast calculators free?
Yes, there are many tricast calculators you can use for free. All you have to do is visit the website.
🪙 Is a tricast the same as a treble?
No, a tricast isn't the same as a treble. A tricast involves predicting the top three finishers in a race, while a treble is an accumulator bet on three individual selections.
✨ What is a reverse tricast bet?
A reverse tricast bet is also known as a combination. It allows you to select horses to finish in the top three positions in any order rather than in specific positions.
📱 Can I download a tricast betting calculator app?
Yes, some tricast betting calculators are available as mobile apps you can install on iOS or Android.
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