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Forecast bet – What is a straight forecast bet [2024]

The forecast bet is a shining example of wager that has transcended sports. Initially reserved to those who would bet on horse and greyhound races, it’s now popular among football and tennis fans.

It is also suitable for other sports available at online bookmakers, so given its newfound popularity, it’s worth having the forecast bet explained.

In this guide, you will learn about the forecast bet meaning and the bookmakers offering it in 2024.

We take a close look at the formula for odds and give some useful forecast bet tips to help reach the best outcome.

Top Bookies for Placing Forecast Bets in 11 October 2024 – Updated List

Rank
Bookmaker
Bonus
Safe & Trusted in UK
Rating
Get Started
1
100% up to £500
Yes
Rating 9.95 out of 10
2
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
Yes
Rating 9.52 out of 10
3
Welcome Package 100% Up to 100EUR
Yes
Rating 9.12 out of 10
4
100% up to 150 $/€ + 20 Free Spins on 9 Masks of Fire
Yes
Rating 8.63 out of 10
5
200% Up to £20 in FREE BETS
Yes
Rating 8.54 out of 10
6
100% up to £500
Yes
Rating 8.37 out of 10
7
100% up to €500
Yes
Rating 8.12 out of 10
8
bet 10£, get 30£ in freebets
Yes
Rating 7.47 out of 10
9
BET £10 GET £30
Yes
Rating 7.38 out of 10
10
Welcome bonus package: 1080% up to $220,000
Yes
Rating 7.16 out of 10

What exactly is forecast betting?

In order to understand what is a forecast bet, we should begin by looking at the name itself. It implies a prediction that players have to make in order to turn their bets into profits. It is still used primarily for greyhound and horse racing events but the same system works for other sports.

Essentially you indicate the name of the horse that finishes first and the one who finishes in the second position. You win if both predictions are correct and lose if one or both are wrong. Looking into post position win percentage statistics can help you. Forecast betting is not only available at horse racing betting sites that can be used to predict the placement in tennis, football or other competitions.

Forecast bet vs the straight forecast bet

Once you understand how does a forecast bet work (not to be confused with reverse forecast bet), you might be curious about what other types of these bet might mean. Terms such as straight forecast for computer straight forecast bet can be a bit puzzling at first.

The good news is that they are the same as the standard bet forecast, using the same formula and principles. You have to make two correct predictions at your live bookmaker and if a single selection is wrong, your bet will finish out of money. The names might differ, but you still make two bets and must win both to cash in.

Place a straight forecast bet – Step by Step

Once you understand the meaning of the forecast bet, you can start using it at sports betting exchanges. You can choose UK horse racing betting markets or use it for football, tennis and other sports. In order to simplify matters, we’ll give you an example inspired by tennis that is easy to understand by anyone. This should help you learn how to place a forecast bet on any sports with no effort whatsoever.

Assuming you bet on the Roland Garros winner and expect Novak Djokovic to have an amazing tournament. Rafael Nadal will still be the main favorite, so there’s a good chance for them to play the final. A standard forecast bet will have Rafael Nadal win the event at odds of 2.00, while Djokovic to lose in the final could have odds of 4.00.

If they are first and second in the standings before the tournament, they won’t meet until the final, so this forecast bet has decent chances. If they end up playing the final and Rafael Nadal wins, you will be paid at 2.00 x 4.00, so your profits will be eight times the investment.

How are forecast bet odds calculated?

The manner in which horse racing sites or other mobile bookmakers calculate the odds for forecast betting is quite complicated. They factor in a lot of elements to come up with odds that have a reasonable house edge while still being attractive. Luckily for punters wondering how to calculate a forecast betting horse racing, this is a walk in the park. The new horse racing betting sites UK will automatically calculate the odds for straight and complex forecast bets.

If you decide to bet on horses, you must check out available sports offers and look at the odds to win and finish second for each competitor. Let’s assume that Horse1 has odds of 4 to win and 6 to finish in second place, while Horse2 has odds of 10 to win and 8 to finish second. A forecast bet with Horse1 – winner and Horse2-runner up will pay 4 x 8 = 32, while Horse2 – winner and Horse1-runner up will pay 6 x 10 = 60. The reverse forecast bet will add two more possible outcomes and different parts, but we’ll discuss it in the paragraphs below.

What is a dual forecast bet?

The dual forecast bet is yet another name for the regular or straight forecast bet. Compared to a tricast bet we need to predict the first two placements, as this one requires just two correct selections.

Having the dual forecast bet explained will help you understand more complex ones such as a combination forecast bet.

What is a reverse forecast bet?

Reverse forecast betting in any currencies adds two more possible selections to the straight forecast. Once you understand how to bet on horses, you can use it to mitigate the risks. You still have two selections on the betting slip, but you are paid if the horses chosen finish first and second, in any order.

Essentially you have an additional bet to place, but how to calculate a forecast bet of this type doesn’t differ. The best way to use it at horse racing is to bet on the favorites, as you enjoy better odds while mitigating the risks. Professional tipsters offer their best bet (called a horse racing NAP) and their next best bet (called NB) on daily horse races, which will not necessarily include favourites.

What is a combination forecast bet?

The combination bet forecast is a more complex version of the classic. Just like the treble bet is the basic and the Trixie bet, Alphabet bet, Yankee bet or Patent bet the expansion, the combination forecast unlocks new ways to win. We use an example from a different sport and we’ll have the forecast bet explained football.

In the Premier League, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool are the top candidates for the trophy. They are priced at 5.00, 8.00 and 10.00 to win the championship and 6.00, 7.00 and 8.00 to finish second. A combination forecast bet will consist of six possible bets, each with two selections and different odds. Once you learn how do you calculate a forecast bet, you can multiply the odds based on your preference and create 6 betting slips with minimal odds of 35 and maximum odds of 70.

The trifecta box betting is slightly different, as you are paid if the three chosen teams finish on the podium in any order. This is another popular type of forecast bet horse racing that can be applied to other sports. It is preferred by veteran punters who enjoy accumulators and systems such as Lucky 15. Even though it was initially made popular as one of the horse betting terms, it can be just as useful when placing ante-post wagers on flagship competitions.

Forecast betting tips and tricks

Tip

Whether you learn how to bet on horses and rely exclusively on horse racing forecast or try other sports, the forecast bet can be useful. These are some tips and tricks that can help you with forecast in betting:

Use forecast bet on ante-post winners – instead of focusing on the next horse race, rely on the bet forecast to bet on outright winners. You will cash in on the top forecast bet odds available before the competition starts and have the chance for a big payout at the end of the season.

Use safety nets with forecasting betting – this type of wager will provide you with the chance to bet on high odds, so you can invest less and still win a lot. Don’t be greedy and try to mitigate the risks by keeping the stakes sensible and consider the reverse forecast bet to have bigger chances.

Pros and cons of forecast betting

PROS

CONS

  • You take bigger chances by having to predict the winner and runner-up

Frequently Asked Questions about forecast betting:

The forecast bet can be used for other sports not only for greyhound and horse racing. It is perfectly suitable for football, tennis and many other sports, especially for ante-post wagers.

Most UK licensed bookmakers will offer players the alternative of forecast betting. Some limit it to horse races, but many have the “request odds” feature that enables punters to ask for a forecast bet.

Not only UK sports books have forecast betting in their offer. Any bookmaker that has horse races in its portfolio, as well as other operators are likely to provide this alternative.

There are no differences whatsoever, and the same principles apply for the straight forecast bet, as the regular one. The ones that differ are the reverse bet forecast and combination forecast bets.

Foretell you betting profits with the forecast bet

There is an indissoluble link between risk and reward, especially at crypto betting sites, and nothing highlights this reality better than the forecast bet. If you’re confident enough in your predictions and can anticipate the winner and the runner-up, forecast betting is perfect for you.

The odds are significantly higher and a single bet can produce top winnings if you know what you’re doing. Whether you choose the straight forecast bet or tinker with a reverse forecast bet and combinations of wagers, you can expect a boatload of excitement.