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Exacta, trifecta and superfecta box calculator
Enter how many horses you box, the bet type and the unit. The calculator shows how many combinations you buy and the total cost of the box.
Horses on the ticket
Your 4 horses must fill the first 3 places, in any order. Only one combination can come in, so one ticket pays and the rest are spent. With every horse equal in a 10-horse race, this ticket hits 1 in 30.
Your combinations
1–2–31–2–41–3–21–3–41–4–21–4–32–1–32–1–42–3–12–3–42–4–12–4–33–1–23–1–43–2–13–2–43–4–13–4–24–1–24–1–34–2–14–2–34–3–14–3–2
How it is calculated
Box of n horses for k places in order: n × (n − 1) × … (k numbers) combinations – for example 4 horses in a trifecta box: 4 × 3 × 2. A quinella ignores order: n × (n − 1) ÷ 2.
Key horse on top: the key must finish first; the others fill the rest in any order: (n − 1) × (n − 2) × …
Cost = combinations × base bet. Blind chance = your combinations ÷ all possible finishes.
Exacta box formula
Combinations = n × (n minus one), where n is the number of horses boxed
Example: For example, box four horses: 12 combinations × $1 = $12.00.
Trifecta box formula
Combinations = n × (n minus one) × (n minus two)
Example: For example, box four horses: 24 combinations × $1 = $24.00. At $0.50 a combination: $12.00.
Superfecta box formula
Combinations = n × (n minus one) × (n minus two) × (n minus three)
Example: For example, box five horses: 120 combinations. Multiply by the unit for the total cost.
Combinations by number of horses
| Horses boxed | Exacta | Trifecta | Superfecta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three | 6 | 6 | Not possible – needs four horses |
| Four | 12 | 24 | 24 |
| Five | 20 | 60 | 120 |
| Six | 30 | 120 | 360 |
Total cost = combinations × unit. At $1, a five-horse trifecta box costs $60.00.
Box vs key horse
Box
- Your horses can finish in any order
- Every order is a separate combination
- Cost grows fast with each added horse
- Usually only one combination matches the result
Key horse
- One horse is fixed in a set place
- Other horses fill the remaining places
- Fewer combinations, lower total cost
- Ticket loses if the key horse misses its place
Box betting terms
- Exacta
- Pick the first two finishers in exact order. See all horse racing bet types.
- Trifecta
- Pick the first three finishers in exact order.
- Superfecta
- Pick the first four finishers in exact order.
- Box
- One ticket that covers every order of the horses you chose.
- Unit
- The amount you pay for each combination. Total cost = combinations × unit.
- Key horse
- A horse fixed in one place while the other horses are combined around it in the remaining places.
Questions
How much does a trifecta box cost?
Multiply the combinations by the unit. Four horses make 24 combinations, so at $1 the box costs $24.00. Five horses cost $60.00.
What is the difference between an exacta box and a straight exacta?
A straight exacta is one combination: two horses in the exact order. An exacta box covers every order of the horses you choose; two horses give two combinations, three horses give 6, costing $6.00 at $1.
Does a box pay more than a straight bet?
No. Usually only one of your combinations matches the result. It pays the same as that single combination would, but you paid for all the others too.
Can I box with a unit smaller than a dollar?
The calculator accepts any unit. For example, at $0.50 a four-horse trifecta box costs $12.00. Real minimum units are set by the operator.
Is a box the same as a round robin?
No. A box covers every finishing order of your horses in one race. A round robin splits picks into parlays – see the round robin calculator.