What is a Forecast Bet?

You’ll see the term forecast bet used at all of the best sports betting sites, but what is a forecast in betting? Put simply, it’s a bet that requires you to predict the first place and second place in an event.

Thanks to the format of a forecast bet, it lends itself to racing events, such as horse racing, motorsports, and cycling.

There are various different types of forecast bet, including combination forecasts, reverse forecasts, and dual forecasts. We’ll explain what each of those is and show you how to work out your potential returns.

A straight forecast bet is a wager that requires you to predict the first and second place finishers in a single event, in the correct order. 

You receive a much higher payout, but even if the finishers that you pick come first and second but in the wrong order, you don’t receive a payout. 

For example: You place a straight forecast on a Grand Prix race. You think Hamilton will win and Vettel will come second. If this does happen, you win your bet, but if Vettel comes first and Hamilton comes second (or any other result) you lose the bet entirely.

Forecast bets are popular so there are a lot of different variations that you can place. If you’ve ever wanted to know what a dual forecast bet is, or what is a reverse forecast in betting, just keep reading to find out.

What is a Reverse Forecast Bet?

A reverse forecast, also known as a dual forecast, allows you to pick the two selections that you believe will come first and second, but with the safety net that they can finish in either place. 

This means you don’t have to be as precise as in a straight forecast bet, but, you do need to bet double the stake. This is because you’re essentially placing two straight forecast bets: one for the winners to finish first and second, the other for them to finish second and first.

For example: Imagine you place the same bet as above, but this time Vettel and Hamilton can come in either order as long as they take first and second place between them. This gives you a better chance of winning, but for an increased stake.

What is a Combination Forecast Bet?

If a reverse forecast bet offers a bit more flexibility then a combination bet takes this even further. In this type of forecast, you can make three selections that are allowed to finish first and second, in any order.

These bets are easier to predict as you don’t have to be so precise. However, you will have to wager between four and six times the amount (depending on the bookmaker)  that you would in a straight forecast to receive the same payout.

For example: In this bet, you choose Vettel, Hamilton, and Verstappen to come in first and second place. As long as two of those drivers take first and second place then your bet wins. If anything else happens then your bet still loses.

All of the different types of forecast bets that we’ve discussed so far take into account one event only, in the example we’ve been using, a Grand Prix race.

In horse racing and greyhound racing, you’ll almost always see multiple events taking place in the same day. This means you can place double forecast bets, treble forecast bets, and even more if you choose to. Let’s take a quick look at how they work:

• Double Forecast Bet: You place two straight forecast bets on two different events, both must be correct to receive any winnings. Your winnings are calculated in the same way as a standard double bet.
• Treble Forecast Bet: You place three straight forecast bets on three different events, all three must be correct to receive any winnings. Your winnings are calculated in the same way as a standard treble bet.

You can also place double and treble reverse, and combination forecasts, but carefully consider the increase in your stake.

Unlike most other bet types, it’s incredibly difficult to accurately calculate the payout from any kind of forecast bet. This is because the payouts are worked out based on the odds of every single participant in the race, not just your selections.

The easiest and safest way to calculate the payout on any type of forecast is to let the bookmaker do it for you.

If you’re placing bets online then you’ll always have your potential returns showed to you before you make the wager. If you’re betting at a racecourse then the bookmaker will do this for you too.