What Is a Forecast Bet? A Guide for Irish Punters

• TYPES OF FORECAST BET
• STRAIGHT FORECAST
• REVERSE FORECAST
• COMBINED FORECAST
• FORECAST BETS IN HORSE RACING
• FORECAST BETS IN GREYHOUND RACING
• HOW FORECAST RETURNS ARE CALCULATED
• WHAT TO BE AWARE OF BEFORE PLACING A FORECAST BET
• FORECAST BETS VS WIN BETS
• WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER FORECAST BETS?

TYPES OF FORECAST BET

In horse betting, there are three main types of forecast bets: the straight forecast, the reverse forecast, and the combined forecast. For Irish sports betting fans, each works differently in terms of what you are predicting and how your return is calculated.

STRAIGHT FORECAST

A straight forecast requires you to name the winner and the runner-up in the correct order. Both selections must finish in the exact positions you have specified for a return to be paid.

For example, in a race at Leopardstown, if you place a straight forecast on Horse A to finish first and Horse B to finish second, Horse A must win, and Horse B must finish second. If Horse B wins and Horse A finishes second, the bet loses.

Straight forecast odds are either taken at the starting price (SP) of both selections or at fixed odds if available, depending on the bookmaker. The return is calculated by combining the odds of both selections using the bookmaker's forecast formula or SP calculation.

REVERSE FORECAST

A reverse forecast covers both possible finishing orders of your two selections. It consists of two straight forecast bets: one with Horse A first and Horse B second, and one with Horse B first and Horse A second. Because it is two bets, the total stake is double your unit stake. This means that you are staking on two separate bets, which increases the total bet cost in a similar way to Yankee and Super Heinz bets.

Using the same example, a reverse forecast on Horse A and Horse B at €1 per bet costs €2 in total. A return is paid whichever of the two finishes first, provided both finish in the top two positions.

A reverse forecast is a broader version of the straight forecast. It removes the need to predict the exact order, but the total outlay is higher, and both selections still need to finish first and second for a return to be paid.

COMBINED FORECAST

A combined forecast is a single bet that asks you to predict which two named runners will fill the first two places, regardless of order. Unlike a reverse forecast, it is settled as one bet rather than two, using a formula applied by the bookmaker to calculate the return.

The combined forecast return is calculated using the Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) formula, which takes into account the starting prices of all runners in the race, not just your two selections. This means the return from a combined forecast can differ from what you might expect based on the individual SPs of your two picks alone.

Because the CSF formula is applied by the bookmaker, it is worth checking the terms and conditions for how combined forecasts are settled before placing.

FORECAST BETS IN HORSE RACING: AN IRISH EXAMPLE*

Consider a race at Punchestown with the following runners and starting prices:

• Horse A at 3/1
• Horse B at 4/1
• Horse C at 7/1
• Horse D at 10/1

If you place a straight forecast on Horse A (1st) and Horse B (2nd) at €1, your return is calculated using the SP of both selections via the bookmaker's forecast formula. The exact figure will depend on the formula used and the starting prices of all runners in the race.

If you place a reverse forecast on Horse A and Horse B at €1 per line (€2 total), a return is paid if either horse wins, provided the other finishes second.

*All examples are for illustrative purposes only. Actual returns will vary depending on starting prices, the number of runners, and the bookmaker's forecast formula. Returns are not guaranteed.

FORECAST BETS IN GREYHOUND RACING

Forecast bets are also widely available on greyhound racing in Ireland, including meetings at Shelbourne Park, Dundalk Stadium, and Curraheen Park. The same three types apply: straight forecast, reverse forecast, and combined forecast.

Greyhound forecast bets are typically settled using the Tote forecast or CSF, depending on the bookmaker. Because greyhound races often have six runners and races are decided over short distances, finishing positions can be closely contested and harder to predict than in horse racing.

Some bookmakers also offer a dual forecast on greyhound racing, which functions in the same way as a combined forecast and is settled on whichever two of your named dogs fill the first two positions in any order.

HOW FORECAST RETURNS ARE CALCULATED

The method used to calculate forecast returns varies depending on the bookmaker and the type of forecast placed. There are two main approaches:

Starting Price (SP): The return is calculated using the official starting prices of your two selections, combined via the bookmaker's forecast formula.

Computer Straight Forecast (CSF): A formula that uses the SPs of all runners in the race to produce a dividend. This is the most common method used for combined forecasts.

Because forecast returns depend on SP and the CSF formula, it is not possible to know the exact return at the time of placing the bet.

WHAT TO BE AWARE OF BEFORE PLACING A FORECAST BET

Forecast bets involve predicting the finishing positions of two runners, which is inherently more difficult than predicting a single winner. A few points worth understanding before placing:

• Both selections must finish in the required positions for a return to be paid.
• Reverse forecasts cost twice your unit stake as they consist of two bets.
• The CSF formula can produce returns that differ from a simple multiplication of SPs.
• Terms on non-runners and withdrawals vary between bookmakers.

FORECAST BETS VS WIN BETS

A win bet requires you to identify one selection to finish first. A forecast bet requires you to identify two selections to fill the first two positions.

This additional requirement makes a forecast bet harder to win than a simple win bet, although the potential return is usually higher to reflect the added difficulty.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER FORECAST BETS?

A forecast bet is a straightforward way to back two runners to fill the first two positions in a race. It is available on horse racing and greyhound racing and comes in three main forms: straight, reverse, and combined.

Before placing a forecast bet, it is worth understanding how the return will be calculated and checking the bookmaker's rules on settlement, non-runners, and withdrawals.