A dual forecast bet is a racing market seen most often in horse and greyhound racing. It lets someone back two runners to finish in the top two, in any order. It can look a bit technical at first, especially if you are used to simpler win and place bets.
Understanding how a dual forecast is settled, where it appears, and how it compares with other forecast options helps avoid common mistakes. This guide explains the meaning, shows how returns are worked out, gives practical examples, and sets out the differences between dual forecast, straight forecast and exacta, plus reverse and combination forecasts.
You will also find where dual forecasts are offered, how bookmakers display them, what happens with non-runners or dead heats, and clear guidance on placing the bet. Always bet within a budget you can afford.
What Does Dual Forecast Mean In Betting?
A dual forecast bet is a wager where two selections are backed to finish first and second, in any order. Both runners must occupy the top two positions for the bet to win.
This contrasts with forecast bets that require an exact finishing order. The dual forecast is often called a reverse forecast, a name that simply highlights that both orders are covered.
If you have two strong contenders in mind, a dual forecast gives cover for either of them to win while the other follows home. With that defined, how does it work in practice?
How A Dual Forecast Bet Works
In a single race, the bettor names two runners and needs them to fill the first and second places, whichever way round they finish. If either misses the top two, the bet loses.
It is a neat option when the view is that two runners stand out. There is no need to specify the exact order, so both possible outcomes for the chosen pair are in play.
With the mechanics clear, the next piece is how settlement is worked out.
How Are Winnings Calculated For A Dual Forecast?
Returns are based on the official forecast dividend, which is published after the race. It is calculated from the starting prices of the two runners in the actual finishing order.
Bookmakers use this forecast dividend to settle winning bets, typically in races with three or more runners. The dividend is quoted as a return to £1, so a £1 stake returning £20.00 means a £2 stake would return £40.00. For a dual forecast, the winning return is simply the dividend for the order that occurred.
Settlement rules can vary for certain events or special markets, so it is worth checking how your bookmaker handles forecasts. A couple of quick examples make this easier to see.
Examples Of Dual Forecast Payouts
Imagine a six-runner race where you back Horse A and Horse B in a dual forecast. If they finish first and second, in any order, the bet wins. If the official forecast dividend for the A-then-B order is £28.00 to £1, and you have £2 staked on the dual forecast, the return would be £56.00.
If two well-fancied horses take the top two places, the dividend is often lower, perhaps around £5.00 to £1, because many people will have chosen that pairing. If two outsiders land first and second, the dividend can be far higher, for example, £90.00 to £1.
Every payout reflects the specific runners involved and the final finishing order, not a simple combination of their individual win odds. Knowing that, it helps to compare dual forecasts with other forecast types.
Dual Forecast Versus Forecast And Exacta: What's The Difference?
A dual forecast pays if your two picks fill the top two places in any order. It is flexible, because both orders are covered within the one bet.
A straight forecast is more precise. You name the first and second in the exact order, and the bet only wins if that order is correct.
In UK pools betting, an exacta mirrors a straight forecast. You still need to predict the first and second in the exact order, but the returns come from the pool rather than fixed-odds settlement.
Each route trades flexibility against potential return. If broader cover is the aim, there are a couple of variants.
Reverse Forecast And Combination Forecasts
A reverse forecast is commonly used as another name for a dual forecast. In practice, it covers both possible finishing orders for your two runners, with settlement tied to the official dividend of the order that actually happened.
A combination forecast expands the idea. You choose three or more runners, and you win if any two from that group finish first and second, in any order. The stake rises because every pair is included as a separate line. For example, three selections create three pairings, while four selections create six.
That extra coverage can be useful, but it is important to keep track of the total cost.
Can You Place A Dual Forecast On Events Other Than Horse Racing?
Dual forecasts suit sports with a clear finishing order, which is why they appear most often in horse and greyhound racing.
Some bookmakers extend forecast-style markets to virtual races or occasional novelty events where first and second can be defined, but this is less common. Sports without a ranked finishing sequence are not a natural fit for dual forecasts.
If you have a different event in mind, check whether the market is offered and how it will be settled. Where the markets are available, you still need to know where to find them on a betting site.
How Bookmakers Display Dual Forecast Markets
Online bookmakers usually group these bets under Forecasts or Forecast/Tricast within a racecard. Open the race, look for the forecast tab or section, and you will see options to combine two runners.
Some sites label dual forecasts clearly, while others place all forecast types together. The bet slip normally confirms the selection as Dual Forecast or Reverse Forecast, which makes it easy to double-check the bet type.
Because layouts differ, it pays to read the headings on the race page and the notes on the bet slip. Once you can see the market, actually placing one is straightforward.
How To Place A Dual Forecast Bet With A UK Bookmaker
On most sites, a customer signs in, heads to horse or greyhound racing, and opens the race of interest. Within the Forecasts or Forecast/Tricast section, two different runners are selected for the top two positions in any order. The bet slip then shows Dual Forecast or Reverse Forecast, the stake is entered, and the bet is placed.
The exact layout varies by bookmaker, so the labels or prompts you see might differ slightly. What matters is that the bet slip clearly states the correct bet type before you confirm.
What Happens If One Selection Is A Non-Runner Or Dead Heat?
If one selection is declared a non-runner, bookmakers usually apply their forecast rules to adjust or void the bet. Commonly, the stake is returned, or the bet is reduced to a single on the remaining runner, depending on the operator’s terms. If a race ends up with fewer than three runners, forecast bets are generally void.
When there is a dead heat for first or second, standard dead heat rules apply. The return is adjusted to reflect the number of runners sharing the position and the number of valid forecast combinations that result.
Because approaches differ, it is wise to check the relevant rules for non-runners, reductions and dead heats before you bet.
Common Mistakes And Misunderstandings About Dual Forecasts
A frequent slip is mixing up a dual forecast with a straight forecast. The straight forecast needs the exact order, while the dual forecast pays for either order of your two picks.
Another misunderstanding is to assume the return is based on adding together the win odds of each runner. Forecasts pay according to the official dividend for the finishing order, which can be quite different from a simple odds calculation.
It is also easy to underestimate the total stake on combination forecasts. Adding more selections multiplies the number of pairings, so costs can rise faster than expected.
Confusion sometimes appears around non-runners or dead heats. Operators set out how these are handled in their rules, and those terms decide whether a bet is adjusted or voided.
If betting begins to affect your well-being or finances, seek support early. Organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help.
With a clear grasp of the rules, the costs and how settlement works, a dual forecast becomes a straightforward way to back two strong contenders without needing to call the exact order.
**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.