What Is a Tricast Bet? Meaning, Cost and Worked Examples

What is a tricast bet? It is a bet on one horse race or greyhound race in which you name the runners to finish first, second and third, in that exact order. For example, if you pick Horse A to win, Horse B second and Horse C third, all three must finish in those exact places for the bet to pay out. In addition, the return is a dividend declared after the race, not fixed odds agreed when you place the bet. However, that dividend can be large, because naming three finishers in exact order is hard. For more guides of this kind, see the Betting Academy.

Last updated: November 2026

Quick Answer

• A straight tricast names the 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishers in exact order in one race.
• The return is a dividend declared after the race, not fixed odds.
• A combination tricast covers all six orders of three selections, at six times the unit stake.
• Horse-racing tricasts need handicap races with eight or more declared runners, with at least six running.
• In Nigeria, betting is 18+ only, and regulation is state-led.

What Is a Tricast Bet? Meaning in Plain Words

A tricast is one of the exotic bets in racing, which means it asks for more than a single winner. Firstly, you choose three runners from the same race. Secondly, you put them in the order you expect them to finish: first, second and third. Thirdly, the result must match your order exactly. If your three runners fill the top three places but in a different order, a straight tricast loses. For instance, A first, B second and C third pays nothing if the result is B first, A second and C third. In other words, the order matters as much as the runners.

Tricasts are offered on horse racing and greyhound racing. In horse racing, the bet is tied to handicap races, covered in the horse racing guide. In greyhound racing, it is tied to the usual six-dog races, covered in the greyhound racing guide. Similarly, a forecast asks for the first two finishers only, so tricast dividends are larger on the same race.

What Is a Tricast Bet? Straight and Combination Tricasts

There are two ways to place a tricast: straight and combination. A straight tricast covers one exact order at one unit stake. For example, A first, B second and C third is a single straight tricast. In contrast, a combination tricast covers every possible order of your selections. If you choose three runners, there are six possible orders: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CAB and CBA. As a result, a combination tricast is six straight tricasts at once, at six times the unit stake.

The formula is n × (n − 1) × (n − 2), where n is the number of selections. Firstly, three selections give 3 × 2 × 1 = 6 combinations. Secondly, four selections give 4 × 3 × 2 = 24 combinations. Thirdly, five selections give 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 combinations.

Selections	Combinations
3	6
4	24
5	60
6	120

For instance, a six-runner greyhound race has 120 possible exact-order trios, and an eight-runner horse race has 336. In other words, a single straight tricast is one guess among many. Therefore, most combination tricasts stop at three selections: four cost 24 unit stakes, and five cost 60.

What Is a Tricast Bet? Cost and Stake Tables

A straight tricast costs one unit stake, whatever the unit stake is. In contrast, a combination tricast costs the unit stake multiplied by the number of combinations. For example, a combination tricast on three selections at a ₦500 unit stake costs 6 × ₦500 = ₦3,000.

Selections	Combinations	₦100 unit	₦500 unit	₦1,000 unit	₦2,000 unit
3	6	₦600	₦3,000	₦6,000	₦12,000
4	24	₦2,400	₦12,000	₦24,000	₦48,000
5	60	₦6,000	₦30,000	₦60,000	₦120,000

As a result, the cost rises sharply with each extra selection: a five-selection combination at a ₦2,000 unit stake costs ₦120,000. In addition, the stake is spent in full even when the bet loses. Therefore, set a total budget first, and treat the total stake as the real cost.

What Is a Tricast Bet? Worked Examples With Illustrative Dividends

A tricast dividend is declared after the race, so you place the bet without knowing the return. Firstly, the bookmaker version is the Computer Tricast, calculated by a central formula from the starting prices of the runners. Secondly, the Tote version is the Trifecta pool: stakes go into one pool, the operator takes a deduction, and the rest is shared among the winning units. In both cases, the dividend is quoted per unit staked: ₦45.00 per ₦1 means a ₦1 stake returns ₦45.00 in total.

Consider a straight tricast with an illustrative dividend of ₦45.00 per ₦1: a ₦1,000 stake returns ₦1,000 × 45.00 = ₦45,000 in total. Similarly, an illustrative dividend of ₦12.50 per ₦1 returns ₦12,500 on a ₦1,000 stake.

With a combination tricast, you pick three selections at a ₦500 unit stake, so the total stake is 6 × ₦500 = ₦3,000. If the illustrative dividend is ₦120.00 per ₦1, the one winning line returns ₦500 × 120.00 = ₦60,000 in total. Therefore, the ticket ends ₦60,000 − ₦3,000 = ₦57,000 ahead. All dividends here are illustrative: they show how the maths works, not the result of a real race.

What Is a Tricast Bet? Rules, Non-Runners and Dead Heats

Tricasts are not offered on every race. In horse racing, they are accepted on handicap races with eight or more declared runners, provided at least six actually run. In addition, selected high-profile non-handicap races offer them where advertised. In greyhound racing, tricasts are offered on races with six or more runners, which covers most races. For that reason, check the racecard first: if the race does not offer the market, the bet cannot be placed.

Firstly, if one of your three selections is a non-runner, the bet is settled as a straight forecast on the remaining two selections, in the order written. Secondly, if two selections are non-runners, the bet is settled as a win single on the remaining selection. Thirdly, if no tricast dividend is declared, the first and second selections are settled as a Computer Straight Forecast. However, rules vary between bookmakers, so read the rules of the site you use first. Similarly, study the form first: the racing form guide explains how to read a racecard. Finally, dead heats follow each bookmaker’s own rules.

Tricast, Trifecta, Exacta and Superfecta: United States Names

Readers in the United States may ask what is a tricast bet called there. In short, the same idea is called a trifecta. For example, an exacta asks for the first two finishers in exact order, which is the United States name for a forecast. Similarly, a superfecta asks for the first four finishers in exact order.

Betting on Tricasts in Nigeria: Law, Age and ID Checks

Betting in Nigeria is regulated by the states, not by one federal licence. On 22 November 2024, the Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005, holding that the National Assembly lacked the power to legislate on lotteries and games of chance. As a result, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission framework applies only in the Federal Capital Territory. For that reason, this guide does not cite the National Lottery Act 2005 as current law.

Betting is 18+ only in Nigeria. In addition, licensed operators run Know Your Customer checks before paying out, using the Bank Verification Number (BVN) or the 11-digit National Identity Number (NIN) to confirm identity and age. Therefore, expect to verify your account before a first withdrawal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tricast bet in greyhound racing?

It is the same bet as in horse racing: name the dogs to finish first, second and third in exact order in one race. For example, in a six-dog race there are 120 possible exact-order trios.

How much does a combination tricast cost?

It costs the unit stake multiplied by the number of combinations. Firstly, three selections give 6 combinations, so a ₦500 unit stake costs ₦3,000. Secondly, four selections give 24 combinations, so a ₦500 unit stake costs ₦12,000.

Do I know my return before the race?

No. A tricast pays a dividend declared after the race, not fixed odds agreed when you place the bet. For example, the Computer Tricast is calculated from the starting prices of the runners.

What happens if one of my horses is a non-runner?

The bet is settled as a straight forecast on the remaining two selections, in the order you wrote them. In addition, if two selections drop out, the bet is settled as a win single on the one that runs.

Can I place a tricast on any horse race?

No. In horse racing, tricasts are accepted on handicap races with eight or more declared runners, provided at least six actually run. Therefore, check the racecard first: a race that does not offer the market cannot take the bet.

Is a tricast the same as a trifecta?

Yes, in substance. A trifecta is the name used in the United States and by the Tote for the same bet: the first three finishers in exact order. In contrast, the settlement can differ: a bookmaker tricast pays the Computer Tricast dividend, while a Tote trifecta pays a pool dividend.

Conclusion

In short, what is a tricast bet? It is a bet that names the first, second and third finishers in exact order in one race, and it pays a dividend declared after the race. For example, a straight tricast costs one unit stake, while a combination tricast on three selections costs six. Above all, treat it as entertainment and set a budget.

Bet Responsibly: Betting is for adults aged 18+ only. It is entertainment, not a source of income. Only stake money you can afford to lose. For help, see the responsible gambling page.