Forecast Betting Tool
Calculate a horse racing forecast (exacta) payout from two horses' odds and stake.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the forecast type — straight (a single specified 1-2 order) or reverse (either order)
- Enter the odds of the horse you have nominated for 1st place
- Enter the odds of the horse you have nominated for 2nd place
- Enter your unit stake
- Review the total stake, combined odds, return, and profit
Formula
Combined Odds = Odds₁ × Odds₂
Straight Forecast: 1 bet, total stake = unit stake.
Reverse Forecast: 2 bets (both orders), total stake = 2 × unit stake. Only the correct order wins; payout = unit stake × combined odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a forecast bet?
A forecast, referred to as an exacta in the United States, is a wager predicting which two horses will finish 1st and 2nd in a race. A straight forecast demands the precise order, whereas a reverse forecast covers both orders at twice the stake.
How does a forecast differ from an each-way bet?
An each-way bet is really two separate wagers — one to win and one to place — on a single horse. A forecast is one wager that specifies the relationship between two horses’ finishing positions. Forecasts pay considerably more but are less likely to land.
Should I opt for a straight or a reverse forecast?
Choose a straight forecast when you hold a firm view on which horse wins. Choose a reverse forecast when you expect two horses to take 1st and 2nd but are uncertain of the order — you stake twice as much but cover both possibilities.
Do forecast odds equal the simply multiplied book odds?
Most UK bookmakers settle on Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) dividends declared by the Tote or SP rather than purely multiplied odds. Multiplying the odds gives a handy approximation, but real payouts can vary by ±10-20% depending on the field-strength formula applied.