A trifecta is a wager in which the bettor must select the top three finishers in a race in the exact order of finish. It is becoming an increasingly popular bet due to the potential for huge payouts.
How to Calculate a Trifecta Payout
Calculating a trifecta payout is relatively simple. The payout is determined by the number of horses you have selected to finish first, second, and third and the amount of money that has been bet. The formula looks like this:
- Payout = (Number of Combinations x Bet Amount) / (Number of Winners)
For example, if you are betting a $1 trifecta with three horses, and the horses you have chosen finish first, second, and third, then the payout would be calculated as follows:
- Payout = (3 x $1) / 1
The payout in this case would be $3.
Cashing Out Your Trifecta
Once you have calculated the payout for your trifecta, you can cash out your winnings at the track or at an off-track betting facility. The payout will be in the form of a voucher that can be redeemed for cash or a bank deposit.
Calculating the Cost of a Trifecta Bet
When calculating the cost of a trifecta bet, you must first determine how many combinations you are betting. For example, if you are betting a $1 trifecta on three horses, then the cost of the bet would be the following:
- Cost = Number of Combinations x Bet Amount
In this case, the cost would be (3 x $1) = $3.
Odds of Winning a Trifecta
The odds of winning a trifecta are dependent on the number of horses in the race and the number of combinations you are betting. Generally speaking, the more horses in the race and the more combinations you have bet, the lower the odds of winning.
Calculating the Exacta and Superfecta
In addition to the trifecta, there are two other wager types that are similar but with different payouts. The exacta requires you to pick the first two finishers in the exact order and the superfecta requires you to pick the first four finishers in the exact order. The formulas for calculating the payouts for these two wagers are the same as the trifecta.
Calculating the Boxed Trifecta
A boxed trifecta allows you to select the top three finishers in a race without having to pick the exact order. This type of wager is more expensive than the straight trifecta but it increases your chances of winning. The formula for calculating the cost of a boxed trifecta is as follows:
- Cost = Number of Combinations x Bet Amount x Number of Horses Selected
For example, if you are betting a $1 trifecta on three horses, then the cost of the bet would be the following:
- Cost = 3 x $1 x 3 = $9
Calculating the Key Trifecta
A key trifecta is similar to a boxed trifecta but with a twist. In a key trifecta, you must select one horse to finish in first place and then select the other two finishers in any order. The formula for calculating the cost of a key trifecta is as follows:
- Cost = Number of Combinations x Bet Amount
For example, if you are betting a $1 trifecta on three horses, then the cost of the bet would be the following:
- Cost = 2 x $1 = $2
Calculating the Pick Three/Pick Six
The pick three and pick six are two popular wagers in which the bettor must select the first three or six finishers in a race in the exact order. The cost of the bet is determined by the number of horses in the race and the number of combinations you are betting. The formula for calculating the cost of a pick three or pick six is as follows:
- Cost = Number of Combinations x Bet Amount x Number of Horses Selected
For example, if you are betting a $2 pick three on three horses, then the cost of the bet would be the following:
- Cost = 3 x $2 x 3 = $18
Conclusion
Calculating a trifecta payout is relatively simple. The payout is determined by the number of horses you have selected to finish first, second, and third and the amount of money that has been bet. The cost of the bet is determined by the number of horses in the race and the number of combinations you are betting. Once you have calculated the payout for your trifecta, you can cash out your winnings at the track or at an off-track betting facility.