Trifecta Bets are one of the most exciting exotic bets in horse racing. Nothing beats nailing a massive Trifecta on the Melbourne Cup. So, this Trifecta betting guide will go into how to use these bets, their types and how to win more frequently. You can also find the most recommended AustralianBettingSites and new betting sites to give them a go.
What Is a Trifecta?
Trifecta Bets Explained
Trifecta betting is an exotic bet where one has to pick the right horses that come in 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a single race. It pays big because it is challenging.
Trifecta bet explained: It is precise and requires some sort of insight, but with the option of boxed or flexi betting, it is flexible to punters. The most basic trifecta bet meaning is based on picking three horses in the first positions of a race and it is perfect when a race is big.
Trifecta betting rules include:
- You must select 3 or more horses, depending on the bet type (boxed, straight etc).
- Combinations are of different order (straight vs boxed).
- Dividend pool of TAB is used as the basis of payouts.
These bets can be found on the majority of betting apps and betting sites in Australia.
Trifecta Betting Strategies
In the case of trifecta betting strategies, the intelligent punters strategise according to form, field size and value. Also, keep in mind, costs and flexi percentages can be estimated with a trifecta bet calculator - usually available in the bet slip.
- Follow Speed Maps: Speed maps will assist you in predicting the horses that will be leading, those that will settle midfield or those that will be coming from behind. The fact that they cover different types of running styles makes you more covered. As in the case of NRL tips, where the form of the teams is important, the speed map can help.
- Put in Roughies: Putting in an outsider or two can radically increase your potential payoff. It’s not just restricted to horse racing as Greyhound Betting offers plenty of roughies to throw into a winning trifecta.
- Use Boxed Trifecta’s More Often: A boxed trifecta is more suitable because it is easier to hit. Compared to a straight trifecta, a boxed one allows you to use more runners in the bet and thus, the chances of the bet winning are greater. You won’t win as much in the end, but it’s better than losing. This is a good way to do it in large races when there is an obvious fav, such as what punters would see in the Melbourne Cup.
- Watch Betting Flucs: The late movement on the market can indicate that there is a sound confidence from the betting public. When a horse moves into shorter odds, then it is worth including it even when it was not on your radar to begin with. In most cases, late money usually says a lot, just as it happens in Tennis betting and live betting.
- Use Flexi Betting: A flexi bet will enable you to scale your bet and end up with a percentage of the payout even when you cannot afford a full unit. It is a cost effective method of covering more combinations, sort of like AFL tips and same game multis.
All Trifecta Bet Types
Here’s a full breakdown of Trifecta racing bet types. You may even find betting bonuses for these bet types at local Aussie bookies, especially during the Spring Racing Carnival.
Bet Type | How It Works | Example Bet | Winning Bet | Losing Bet |
Straight Trifecta | Pick 1 horse for each position (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in exact order | 1st: #5, 2nd: #7, 3rd: #2 | Horses finish 5-7-2 | Finish is 5-2-7 or any other order |
Boxed Trifecta | Pick 3+ horses, any can finish top 3 in any order | Horses: #3, #4, #6 | Finish is any combo of 3-4-6 in top 3 | One or more horses finish outside top 3 |
Standout Trifecta | Select 1 horse to win, and others for 2nd/3rd | 1st: #1; 2nd/3rd: #4, #5 | Horse 1 wins, 4 and 5 fill 2nd and 3rd in any order | Horse 1 doesn’t win or others miss top 3 |
Flexi Trifecta | Any trifecta with a reduced stake for % of payout | $6 on $24 bet = 25% flexi | Win pays 25% of dividend | Combo fails or no top 3 match |
Mystery Box Trifecta | Bet amount chosen and horses selected randomly by the system | $10 mystery trifecta | Horses randomly selected finish top 3 | No matching combo |
Trifecta vs Exacta
Both Trifecta bets and Exacta are exotic bets in horse racing and have variations in terms of complexity and payoff. Apply them in large races such as the Melbourne Cup and horse racing tips usually have them covered.
Bet Type | How It Works | Example Bet | Winning Bet | Losing Bet |
Trifecta | Pick 1st, 2nd, 3rd in exact order | 1st: #6, 2nd: #3, 3rd: #2 | Horses finish 6-3-2 | Finish is 6-2-3 or 3-6-2, etc. |
Exacta | Pick 1st and 2nd in exact order | 1st: #6, 2nd: #3 | Horses finish 6-3 | Finish is 3-6 or any other order |
Trifecta bet horse racing is more risky and rewarding as compared to Exacta bet and is therefore used in Melbourne Cup tips.
Trifecta Bet Tips
FAQs
What is a Trifecta bet?
In trifecta bets, you have to select the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd horses in one race.
How does Trifecta betting work?
Trifecta betting means that you need to select a combination of horses to come in the first 3 positions and you win when they do so.
What is the difference between a Trifecta and a Quinella?
To win a Trifecta, you must have 1st, 2nd and 3rd in sequence; a Quinella does not require any order as 1st and 2nd are all that is required.
What is an example of a Trifecta bet?
Choose 1, 3, 5 to come in 1st, 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
How much does a $2 Trifecta box cost with 3 horses?
The price of a full unit is 12 dollars ($6 base x 2 units).
What are the chances of winning a Trifecta?
Short in big fields; chances depend on combinations but usually less than 1 per cent unless boxed.
What is the highest paid Trifecta ever?
Trifectas have won more than 1 million dollars in exotic events such as the Melbourne Cup.
How to bet a Trifecta for beginners?
Begin with a boxed trifecta in a small field at Flexi betting to reduce your expense.
Matt is a sports and racing writer who has been working in the field since 2016. He has provided betting tips for some of the biggest companies in the market, including Sportsbet, William Hill, PlayUp, and Betr, across a range of sports such as AFL, NRL, NBA, NFL, BBL, MLB, and Horse Racing. He is a serious participant in horse racing as a race horse owner with Viva Racing and a close associate of thoroughbredsales.com.au, the leading racehorse directory in Australia. His betting strategy focuses on identifying trends and using them to generate the best possible tips or advice.