Tote Exacta

The Tote Exacta works like a regular forecast bet from any bookmaker, with the aim of the bet correctly predicting the first and second in a horse race. 

The Tote price works the same as any other tote bet, with the prize pool being divided by the winners.

There are slight variations on the bet, such as a straight forecast and a reverse forecast, which we explore.

Find out more today about the Tote Exacta bet:

What is a Tote Exacta Bet?

The Tote Exacta is a bet where a punter tries to predict the first two in a horse race. 

Before the Exacta, there was a dual forecast, but the Tote Exacta replaced it.

There are two types of Exacta bets: a straight forecast (where you can predict the results in a precise order) or a reverse forecast (where you expect the top 2 in any order).

Obviously predicting the exact result is tougher but it also means that the payout and rewards are better.

As with all tote betting, every bet is put into one pot, and the payout is a division of the total pot amongst the winners.

Exacta Vs Straight Forecast

The main difference between an exacta bet and a straight forecast is that the Tote exacta is a parimutuel bet that pays out higher dividends.

Savvy sports punters will always wager a Tote exacta bet over a straight forecast because of the higher dividend payouts.

An exacta and straight forecast (SFC) are the same bet type, where you have to pick the first two participants in a contest in the correct order.

Tote exactas pay more than straight forecasts (more often than not), so shrewd bettors will always choose the exacta 1,2 bet over a straight forecast.

Exacta Pays More Than Straight Forecasts Examples

Here are several examples of exacta bets paying more than a forecast bet in July 2026:

• 1:30 at Perth Races, the Tote Exacta paid £67 compared to just £49 with the bookies’ forecast #exactapaysmore
• 1:55 at Epsom Races, if you bet 1,2 at the tote.co.uk, you got paid £32 compared to just £24 with the bookies’ exacta #exactapaysmore
• 4:25 at Galway Races, the Tote Exacta paid £81 compared to just £43 with the bookmakers’ exacta #exactapaysmore

Every single day, over 83% of races, the Tote Exacta pays more than the betting shop forecast.

Tote Exacta Welcome Bonus

Try out the welcome bonus on Totesport.

Sign up to the Tote and claim your £20 free bet when you deposit just £5.

Types of Forecast Bet in an Exacta

There are two types of exacta bets:

• Straight Exacta, also known as a single exacta, requires the punter to correctly predict the order of the runners that’ll place 1st and 2nd.
• Reverse Exacta – also called a combination exacta, whereby the punter has to pick the 1st and 2nd placers, but this can be in either order. It’s technically having two bets in one bet (basically two straights). One where you pick horse Y and then horse Z in anticipation that in bet one, horse Y will win, and in bet 2, horse Z will win.
• If that’s too simple a bet for your taste, then you’re able to add a third horse into the mix and make things really complicated. So the bet then comes X-Y, X-Z, Y-X, Z-X, Z-Y.

Banka Exacta

The banker, known as the banka exacta, is where you choose a horse you believe will win, and up to three runners you feel will place 2nd. So when a banker runner (X) is involved +3 others for 2nd place, it goes X-Y, X-Z, X-ZZ.

Not all bookies are into tote-syndication and offer a tote bet, particularly online betting sites, so they’ll likely just put up individual prices and have a similar type of bet themselves.

General Rules of the Tote Exacta Bet

• The Tote Exacta is a £2 minimum bet
• If you’re a big spender, it goes up in multiples of 10p
• You’re allowed to go up in multiples to attain the minimum £2 bet requirement
• If you’re unlucky enough to get a non-runner in your race, your Tote Exacta bet is void. Also in this instance, favourites that aren’t named are not all
• Perms and combinations are acceptable, in the same denominations above
• Dividends are rounded to the nearest £1
• You can bet on any UK horse race with 3+ runners

How to Create a Tote Exacta Bet Via SMS Text Message?

Here is how to create a Tote Exacta bet via text message on your mobile phone device:

1. Register your mobile number with your Tote betting account
2. Make sure you have enough balance in your tote account to cover your Tote Exacta bets
3. Text 68683
4. Write the message in a simple format like “2 exacta no more porter tosen wish”

This video shows how to create a Tote Exacta bet via text messaging:

The text message is similar to writing out a betting slip in the bookies.

For more information, check out our guide to Tote’s Text Messenger Bet Service.

How about Non-Runners in Tote Exacta Bets?

Typically, when a non-runner comes up in a race, a punter is given the favourite instead. This is usually how it goes with placepots, quadpots and Scoop six betting.

If you’re unlucky and you get an NR in a straight exacta, you’ll get a refund of your stake because the bet becomes void.

If you get an NR in a combination, you’ll only see a refund for the sections with an NR.

Three Runner Combination

If you’re betting on a three-runner combination (six bets) and you get one NR, you only have two good runners. So you only have two bets. So 4 are void thanks to an NR, and you see your money back for those 4.

Four Runners

If you have four runners (technically 12 bets) and one NR, leaving three survivors, you get refunded on six bets.

It’s pretty easy to work out when you’re looking at exacta bets.

Final Word on the Tote Exacta Bet

The Exacta is a fun and popular bet, especially in races where there is a hot favourite and punters are trying to look for the placed horses in behind.

The Totes win pools are often quite generous, so check out this bet type today and see for yourself!

The Tote Exacta is a popular horse racing betting option. It involves selecting the first two finishers in a race, and punters have a range of selections to choose from.

One approach is to use the “banker exacta” strategy, where one selection is considered more likely to finish in the top two.

For example, a punter may choose a horse as the banker and other horses as potential finishers. This creates different permutations and multiple bets.

The return on the wager depends on the stakes placed and the number of successful combinations. It’s essential to pay attention to the specific details of the exacta wager, including the race meeting, as they can impact the overall betting experience.

Good luck, and remember to bet responsibly at all times.