Forecast Calculator

Work out the returns and the number of bets on straight, reverse and combination forecasts, where the order of the first two matters.

A forecast calculator works out the number of bets and the cost of backing two selections to finish first and second, in the correct order.

What Is a Forecast?

A forecast is a bet on which two selections will finish first and second in a race, match or tournament, in the correct order. Unlike a simple double, where you just need both selections to win, a forecast is about sequence: if you back Selection A first and Selection B second, that exact order is what you are predicting. If Selection B finishes first and Selection A second, your straight forecast loses, even though both your selections were right. That is the defining feature of a forecast bet and the reason the reverse and combination versions exist — they cover other orders if you want to insure against backing the wrong sequence.

Forecasts are common in horse racing, motor racing and tournament outcomes like league finishes. The order requirement is what makes them different from accumulators and from the similar but distinct tricast, which predicts three places rather than two. The structure is simple but the consequences are precise: pick the right two but in the wrong order and you lose your straight forecast outright.

How a Forecast Is Calculated

A forecast is a single bet at a single price — the odds on that exact order occurring. You choose straight, reverse or combination coverage, and the price and the number of bets tells you the total cost. A straight forecast is one bet on one order. A reverse forecast is two bets covering both possible orders of the same two selections — Selection A first then B, or B first then A. A combination forecast from n selections covers every ordered pair: the formula is n multiplied by n minus one.

The return on any forecast is simply your stake per line multiplied by the forecast price. At a €10 stake and odds of 6.00, a straight forecast returns €60.00. The same price on a reverse forecast would return a similar amount per winning order, so if both orders lost you get nothing, and if one order won you collect your return. The cost difference between straight and reverse is that the reverse covers twice the outcomes but costs twice as much.

What the Calculator Shows You

The forecast calculator takes your bet type (straight, reverse or combination), your selections, your stake per line and the forecast price, and returns four key numbers: the number of bets you are placing, the total outlay, the return if you win, and your profit. The number of bets is especially important because many bettors underestimate how many lines a combination forecast covers — three selections is six bets, not three.

The calculator also shows you the cost at any stake level, so you can see whether a combination forecast fits your bankroll. This matters because the cost scales with the number of bets: a combination forecast on five selections involves twenty bets, so the total outlay multiplies quickly with your stake. At €10 per line, the twenty bets mean significant money at risk, and you should run the numbers before committing. The calculator shows you exactly what that commitment looks like for your chosen stake.

Worked Example

Take a straight forecast on a Champions League group stage at a €10 stake. You back Ajax to win the group at first place and Roma to finish second. The forecast price — the odds on exactly that outcome — is 6.00. Your outlay is €10 on one bet, and if the forecast lands, the return is €60.00, which is a profit of €50.00.

But if Roma wins the group and Ajax finishes second, your straight forecast loses. The order was wrong, even though both your selections finished first and second overall. The profit of €50.00 depends entirely on backing the correct order. This is why reverse forecasts exist: for €20 (two €10 bets), you would cover both orders of the same selections and guarantee a return regardless of which finishes ahead. The straight forecast is cheaper but demands correct order prediction; the reverse is twice the price but removes the order risk entirely.

How Many Bets Each Forecast Type Costs

The number of bets in a forecast determines its cost and its coverage. Understanding the structure is essential before you place the bet.

The straight forecast is simple: one selection first, one second, one order, one bet. The reverse doubles the bets and cost but covers both orders. A combination forecast on three selections covers all six ordered pairs — Selection 1 first with 2 or 3 second, Selection 2 first with 1 or 3 second, and Selection 3 first with 1 or 2 second. That is why three selections costs six bets. Notice how the outlay column shows the total cost at a EUR 10 stake per line; your actual cost is the number of bets multiplied by your chosen stake per line, whatever that amount is.

Why the Bet Count Grows So Fast

The growth in bet count comes from the mathematics of ordered pairs. Every selection can finish first, and for each of those finishes, every other selection can finish second.

The pattern is n times n minus one, where n is the number of selections. With five selections, there are five possible winners, and for each of those, four possible second-place finishers, giving twenty ordered pairs. This rapid growth is why a combination forecast on four selections requires 12 different bets, each at your chosen stake. If your stake per line is €10, the reference table above shows the total outlay; if you use a different stake, multiply the number of bets by that stake to get your total cost.

The Cost of Order Protection in a Forecast

The jump from a straight to a reverse forecast doubles the cost and removes the order risk entirely — often the better buy when you fancy two selections but have no strong view on which finishes ahead. A combination forecast goes further and covers every ordered pair among your selections, which is why three selections cost six bets rather than three. This coverage comes at a cost: you are placing multiple bets at once, and the total outlay is stake per line times the number of bets.

Settlement rules vary by market. Some forecasts are void if a selection is withdrawn, meaning you get your stake back but no return. Others reduce the market and re-price it, so your forecast continues with fewer selections. It is worth checking the terms of the bet with your bookmaker before backing a forecast, especially in markets where withdrawals are common. A combination forecast in particular is vulnerable because it has many more lines; if the rules allow reduction, the impact on your odds can be severe.

When a Forecast Makes Sense

A forecast suits betting when you have a strong view on the order of two selections or you want to cover multiple orderings on a cluster of picks without the cost of a full combination. A straight forecast is most attractive when you genuinely believe one selection will finish ahead of the other — when you have that conviction, the cheaper straight option is the rational choice. A reverse forecast is the safer option when you fancy two selections strongly but have no real view on their order relative to each other.

A combination forecast is a heavy bet that only makes sense when you have five or fewer selections and you want to cover all possible finishes among them. With more selections it becomes impractical and expensive because the number of ordered pairs grows rapidly. Combination forecasts also suit markets where the odds are long enough that covering many orders still delivers good expected value. With five selections, the bet runs to twenty lines, so your total stake is significant and the forecast price needs to offer sufficient upside to justify that outlay.

Common Mistakes

The most common error is backing a straight forecast when you have no real view on the order — if you are genuinely uncertain which of your two selections finishes ahead, the reverse is the sensible buy. Many bettors read a combination forecast’s stake as the total rather than per line, only realizing when they try to place it that a four-selection combination has twelve bets, not four, and costs far more than they anticipated. Some assume three selections means three bets; it means six. Finally, many overlook what happens if one selection is withdrawn: some markets void the bet, others re-price and reduce the lines, and that can drastically change your odds and your potential return.

Forecast Against Tricast

The forecast and tricast are siblings predicting different numbers of places.

A forecast covers first and second, a tricast covers first, second and third. A four-selection combination forecast is 12 bets; the same four selections as a tricast combination is 24 bets — double, because there are twice as many places to predict.