Dual Forecast Bet Explained: What Does It Mean In Betting?
A “dual forecast bet” might sound technical, but it simply refers to a wager most often used in horse and greyhound racing.
This article explains how it works, how it differs from other bet types, and how bookmakers or pool systems calculate potential payouts. It will also highlight where the same concept may occasionally appear outside of racing.
By understanding the basics, you can see what this bet involves and what to check before placing one. As with any form of gambling, outcomes are never guaranteed, so it is important to be clear on the rules before taking part.
What Is a Dual Forecast Bet?
A dual forecast bet, sometimes called a reverse forecast, is most often used in horse racing or greyhound racing. It requires you to choose two participants in a single race. Your bet is successful if those two finish in the first two positions, in either order.
For example, if you pick Horse A and Horse B in a dual forecast, the bet wins if they finish 1st and 2nd, whether that is A then B, or B then A. This makes it different from a straight forecast, which requires you to predict the exact finishing order.
In the UK, dual forecasts can be placed with fixed-odds bookmakers, or through the Tote, which is a pool betting system. The Tote no longer uses the term “dual forecast”, but offers a similar market under the name “Exacta”, where the order of finish is important. Because of these variations, it can be worth checking how the bet is offered by the operator you’re using.
How Does a Dual Forecast Bet Work?
When placing a dual forecast, you are effectively covering two possible outcomes: your chosen pair finishing first and second in both possible orders.
In most cases, bookmakers treat this as two separate straight forecasts. This means a £1 dual forecast would usually cost £2, as you are backing both order combinations.
Bookmakers calculate the potential payout in different ways. With fixed-odds betting, you may be quoted a price before the race. With the Tote or other pool systems, any winnings are based on the dividend, which is determined by the size of the betting pool and how many people backed the same outcome.
Because you need both runners to place in the top two, the bet is usually harder to land than picking a single winner. That said, it may also lead to higher potential returns compared to a simple win bet, reflecting the added difficulty.
Dual Forecast Football Bet Example
Although the dual forecast is mainly associated with racing, the same idea is occasionally applied to football, though it is not widely available.
In this setting, the bet involves predicting the top two teams in a league or competition, regardless of which order they finish in.
For instance, you could select Manchester City and Arsenal to be the top two finishers in the Premier League. If those two clubs end the season as the top two, your bet would succeed whether City finish above Arsenal, or the other way around.
Not all bookmakers offer this as a “dual forecast” market. Some may instead call it “forecast betting” or “top two finish”. Because the naming and rules can differ, it’s important to check the specific market description before placing a bet.
How To Work Out Winnings On a Dual Forecast Bet
Calculating the potential winnings from a dual forecast depends on where the bet is placed. With fixed-odds bookmakers, you are given a price when the bet is struck. If the bet comes in, the payout is based on that price, just like with other fixed-odds wagers.
With pool betting, such as the Tote, any winnings are shared between all successful bettors. The amount you receive is called the dividend, and it can only be confirmed once the pool is closed and the results declared. This means the exact return is not known when you place the bet.
In both cases, the amount you stake matters. If you place £2 on a dual forecast and your selection is successful, the payout will be your stake multiplied by the odds or dividend, plus your original stake returned.
Because different operators use different methods to calculate potential returns, it may be helpful to read the terms and conditions of the bookmaker or pool before placing a dual forecast bet.
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