Trifecta Betting Term Meaning

A trifecta is a bet placed in horse racing and greyhound racing where the bettor predicts runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the exact order. Known as a trifecta in the United States and Australia, the bet is also known as a tricast in the UK, a tierce in Hong Kong, a triactor in Canada and a tiercé in France.

Trifecta betting is very popular because a small wager can result in a huge payoff due to the difficulty of correctly selecting the top 3 runners and the size of the pool. There are different types of trifectas, the straight trifecta, boxed trifecta, banker trifecta and roving banker or banker multiple trifecta.

Straight Trifecta

A Straight Trifecta is where three runners are selected in exact order to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The punter is successful if the three runners finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in that order. A $1 trifecta on horses numbered 1, 5 and 7 to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively, will cost $1.

Boxed Trifecta

A Boxed Trifecta is where three runners are selected, and the punter wins if the three runners finish in the first three places in any order. For example, a boxed trifecta of runners numbered 1, 5 and 7, wins if horses finish in any of these combinations:

1, 5, 7

1, 7, 5

5, 7, 1

5, 1, 7

7, 1, 5

7, 5, 4

A $1 boxed trifecta on runners numbered 1, 5 and 7 will cost $6 because there are six possible combinations. It is possible to select more than three runners in a Boxed Trifecta with the stake increasing for each additional runner.

How Much Do Boxed Trifectas Cost?

The cost of Boxed Trifectas based on a $1 bet per selection is as follows:

3 Runners $6
4 Runners $24
5 Runners $60
6 Runners $120
7 Runners $210
8 Runners $336
9 Runners $504
10 Runners $720

Banker Trifecta

A Banker Trifecta is when one runner (banker) is selected to win the race, with two or more selections boxed to come 2nd and 3rd. The banker hast to win the race for the bet to be successful.

For example, if runner number 2 is the banker, and the other three choices are numbered 4, 7 and 8, there are six possible combinations for a winning bet:

2, 4, 7

2, 4, 8

2, 7, 4

2, 7, 8

2, 8, 4

2, 8, 7

A $1 Banker Trifecta on runner 2 to win and 4, 7 and 8 to come 2nd and 3rd will cost $6 because there are six possible combinations. It is possible to select more than two runners to finish 2nd and 3rd in a Banker Trifecta with the stake increasing for each additional runner.

Roving Banker or Banker Multiple Trifecta

A Roving Banker or Banker Multiple Trifecta refers to one runner (banker) selected to finish in the first three. Three or more selections are boxed for the other two places.

The banker must finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd in each possible combination. For example, if horse number 1 is the banker, and horses number 4, 8 and 9 are the selections, there are total of 18 combinations for a winning bet.

A $1 Roving Banker or Banker Multiple Trifecta on runner 1 as the banker with 4, 8 and 9 to finish in the top three will cost $18 because there are 18 possible combinations.

Flexi Trifectas

A Flexi Trifecta allows bettors to select or box as many runners and specify the total stake they want to invest. Flexi Trifectas is a great way to be sure what the total stake will be without having to make calculations depending on how many runners are boxed.

The payout is a percentage of the winning dividend based on the amount chosen to invest.

For example, a Flexi Trifecta with five runners would normally cost $60, but with a $5 stake invested the payout would be 8.333% of the total Trifecta dividend, eg $5 divided $60 = 8.333%.

Trifecta Betting FAQ

What is Trifecta Betting?
Trifecta Betting is a bet placed in horse and greyhound racing where bettors predict runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the exact order.
What are the other names for Trifecta Betting?
The other names for Trifecta Betting is Tricast, Tierce, Triactor and Tiercé.
What is a Straight Trifecta?
A Straight Trifecta is where bettors select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in correct order.
What is a Boxed Trifecta?
A Boxed Trifecta is where three or more runners are selected to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in any order.
What is a Banker Trifecta?
A Banker Trifecta is when one runner or 'banker' is selected to win the race and two or more runners are selected to finish 2nd and 3rd.
What is a Roving Banker Trifecta?
A Roving Banker Trifecta refers to one runner (banker) selected to finish in the first three and three or more runners selected or boxed to finish in the other two places.
What is a Banker Multiple Trifecta?
A Banker Multiple Trifecta is a type of trifecta where bettors select one runner (banker) to finish in the first three. Three or more selections are boxed for the other two places.
What is a Flexi Trifecta?
A Flexi Trifecta is a type of trifecta where bettors select or box as runners in a race and specify the total stake.