What Is A Reverse Forecast Bet?
If you’ve ever come across different types of sports bets, particularly those linked to horse or greyhound racing in the UK, you may have seen the term reverse forecast bet. This blog will break down exactly what that means, how it works, and how it differs from a standard forecast bet.
This guide is designed to help you understand the basics. Even if you’ve never placed a bet before or don’t follow sports, everything will be explained in simple terms. We’ll also include a clear example to show how a reverse forecast bet can be calculated. This can help you make more informed choices if you ever decide to explore sports betting.
Please remember: betting on sports involves an element of chance. While it can be enjoyable for some, it’s not a way to make money. There’s no strategy that can guarantee a win. Any potential winnings can vary depending on the odds, the event, and the outcomes – which are always unpredictable. It’s important to gamble responsibly, never bet more than you can afford to lose, and to take breaks when needed.
What Are Reverse Forecast Bets?
A reverse forecast bet is a popular type of wager used in horse and greyhound racing. It involves choosing two runners and betting that they will finish in the top two positions – but without needing to guess who finishes first or second. As long as both selections take the top two spots, in any order, the bet can result in a return.
This type of bet is made up of two individual forecast bets. One part covers your first selection winning and the second coming runner-up. The other part does the reverse. Because of this, placing a reverse forecast means doubling your stake to cover both combinations.
For example, if you place a £5 reverse forecast, you’re placing two separate £5 bets – one for each possible finishing order of your chosen runners. This means the total stake is £10. Unlike a standard forecast, which only covers one specific outcome, a reverse forecast covers both possible top-two combinations.
Reverse forecast bets are commonly used if you’re confident that two runners will perform well, but you’re unsure who will finish ahead of the other.
How Do Reverse Forecast Bets Work?
Let’s say you’re betting on a horse race with several runners. You choose Horse 3 and Horse 7 for your reverse forecast. This means you are betting that these two horses will come first and second, in any order.
Here’s what will happen:
- If Horse 3 finishes first and Horse 7 finishes second – you win.
- If Horse 7 finishes first and Horse 3 finishes second – you also win.
- If either horse finishes outside the top two – the bet is lost.
The potential return you may receive depends on the starting prices (the odds) of each horse and how those odds are combined for the forecast. Each bookmaker or betting exchange may calculate this slightly differently, so it may be worth checking their terms before placing a bet.
Forecast odds are not fixed in the same way as single-win odds, and they often follow the Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) formula. This is a system used by most UK bookmakers to calculate any forecast returns, taking into account the odds of both selections and the number of runners in the race.
Reverse Forecast Example
Imagine you’re watching a greyhound race. You choose Dog 2 and Dog 5 for your reverse forecast.
You place a £2 reverse forecast bet. This means you’re placing:
- £2 on Dog 2 finishing first and Dog 5 finishing second
- £2 on Dog 5 finishing first and Dog 2 finishing second
Your total stake is £4.
Now, suppose Dog 5 comes first and Dog 2 comes second. You win one part of the bet. The payout depends on the forecast odds, which may be worked out based on the starting prices.
If the forecast odds were calculated to pay £18.50 to a £1 stake, your £2 winning part of the bet would return £37. The other part of the bet would lose.
If neither Dog 2 nor Dog 5 finishes in the top two, the full £4 is lost.
How To Calculate a Reverse Forecast Bet
Calculating the possible return on a reverse forecast bet isn’t as simple as multiplying standard odds. This is because most UK bookmakers use the Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) system to work out forecast bets.
The CSF considers:
- The starting price (odds) of each selection
- The number of runners in the race
- How strongly the market favours each runner
There is no simple formula for working it out by hand, which is why most bookmakers and betting sites show the estimated potential return after the race result is known.
Let’s say you placed a £3 reverse forecast. Your total stake is £6. If the winning combination paid £20 to a £1 stake, and you won one of the two forecast bets, your return would be:
£3 x 20 = £60.
If both outcomes had won (which is not possible in a two-horse forecast), you would multiply by two. But in reality, only one part of a reverse forecast can win, as only one pair of runners can finish first and second.
What Are The Differences Between a Reverse Forecast and Forecast Bet?
The key difference lies in the number of combinations you’re covering and how much you stake.
- A forecast bet is a single bet where you predict the exact order of the top two finishers. If you’re wrong about the order, the bet loses.
- A reverse forecast is two separate bets covering both possible orders. So if you’re right about the top two finishers but not the order, you still have a chance to win.
Here’s a quick example:
- You place a £5 forecast bet on Horse A to come first and Horse B to come second. Total stake = £5.
- You place a £5 reverse forecast on the same horses. This creates two £5 bets, for a total stake of £10. One bet is A to beat B, the other is B to beat A.
Because reverse forecast bets cover more outcomes, they cost more to place.
Before placing any forecast or reverse forecast bets, it may be a good idea to read the terms and conditions of the betting site or bookmaker you’re using. The way potential returns are calculated can vary, especially between fixed-odds bookmakers and exchanges.
Gambling responsibly matters. Set a budget, never chase losses, and use tools like deposit limits or time-outs if you find you’re spending more time or money than intended. For more support, trusted UK services like BeGambleAware.org and GamCare are available to help.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.