Bet types guide
Bet types, explained.
Singles, accumulators, Yankees, each-way, handicaps, bet builders: a betting slip comes with a lot of jargon. This guide explains what each bet type means, how it pays and how the risk changes as bets get bigger.
The basics
Singles and multiples
Every bet is either a single or a combination of selections. The examples use decimal odds; our betting odds guide explains how to convert other formats.
Single
One selection, one bet. If it wins you're paid at its odds. 10 units at 2.50 returns 25. It's the simplest bet and the easiest to keep track of.
Double and treble
Two or three selections in one bet. All must win. The odds multiply: 10 units on a double at 2.00 and 1.50 is 10 × 2.00 × 1.50 = 30 back.
Accumulator
Four or more selections in one bet, often called an acca or parlay. Every leg must win, and the returns of each leg roll on to the next.
How an accumulator grows, and why the risk rises
| Selections at 2.00 | Combined odds | Return on 10 units | Chance if each is a true 50/50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (single) | 2.00 | 20 | 50% |
| 2 (double) | 4.00 | 40 | 25% |
| 3 (treble) | 8.00 | 80 | 12.5% |
| 4-fold | 16.00 | 160 | 6.25% |
| 5-fold | 32.00 | 320 | 3.1% |
| 6-fold | 64.00 | 640 | 1.6% |
The payout doubles with each leg, but the chance of winning halves. The bookmaker's margin also multiplies with every leg, so long accumulators give back less of the stake on average than singles.
Full-cover bets
System bets: Trixie, Yankee, Lucky 15 and more
A system bet covers every combination of your selections, so you can get a return without every leg winning. Each combination is a separate bet, so your total stake is the stake per bet multiplied by the number of bets.
| Bet | Selections | Bets | Made up of | Total at 1 unit per bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trixie | 3 | 4 | 3 doubles, 1 treble | 4 |
| Patent | 3 | 7 | 3 singles, 3 doubles, 1 treble | 7 |
| Yankee | 4 | 11 | 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold | 11 |
| Lucky 15 | 4 | 15 | 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold | 15 |
| Super Yankee (Canadian) | 5 | 26 | 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, 1 five-fold | 26 |
| Heinz | 6 | 57 | 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds, 1 six-fold | 57 |
A Trixie needs at least two winners for any return, a Yankee needs two, and a Lucky 15 or Patent pays something from a single winner because it includes singles. Watch the total stake: a Lucky 15 at 2 units per bet costs 30 units, or 60 if placed each-way.
Each-way
Each-way bets: win and place
An each-way bet is two equal bets in one: a win bet and a place bet. 10 units each-way costs 20 units. The place half pays if your selection finishes in the places, at a fraction of the win odds set by the place terms, such as 1/4 or 1/5 of the odds for the first 3 places.
Place terms
The fraction of the odds and the number of places paid. They depend on the event and the number of runners, and are shown on the bet slip or market rules.
Working out the place odds
Take the fractional odds and apply the place fraction. 10/1 at 1/4 odds is 10/4, or 2.5/1, which is 3.50 in decimal. At 1/5 odds it's 2/1, or 3.00.
When it suits
Each-way is mostly used on bigger prices in fields with several runners, such as horse racing or golf. On short prices, a result that only places often returns less than the total each-way stake.
Example: 10 units each-way at 10/1 (11.00), 1/4 odds, 3 places
| Result | Win part (10) | Place part (10) | Total return on 20 staked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wins | 110 | 35 | 145 |
| Finishes 2nd or 3rd | 0 | 35 | 35 |
| Unplaced | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A winner also counts as placed, so both parts pay. If it only places, you get 35 back on a 20 stake: a profit of 15.
Match markets
Handicaps, totals and other match bets
These are the markets you'll see on most team sports, especially football.
Match result
Also called 1X2: home win, draw or away win. Double chance covers two of the three outcomes at a shorter price, and draw no bet refunds your stake if it's a draw.
Handicap
One team gets a head start or deficit. Team A -1 means Team A must win by two or more after the handicap. Asian handicaps remove the draw and can refund or split stakes; see Asian handicap explained.
Over/under
Bet on the total goals, points or corners. Over 2.5 goals wins with 3 or more; under 2.5 wins with 2 or fewer. Half-point lines mean the bet can never be a push.
Both teams to score
"Yes" wins if both sides score at least once. "No" wins if either team fails to score. The final result doesn't matter.
Correct score
Pick the exact final score, such as 2-1. Long odds because there are many possible scores, and only one can win.
Player and specials
Markets on individual events, such as a player to score or the number of cards. Rules on what counts, and what happens if a player doesn't start, vary by site.
Modern betting
Bet builders, in-play and cash out
Bet builders
Also called same-game multis. Combine several selections from one match, such as Team A to win, over 2.5 goals and both teams to score. Because the outcomes are linked, the price is calculated together rather than simply multiplied, so it's usually shorter than a normal accumulator of the same legs.
In-play betting
Betting while the event is under way. Odds change by the second, and bets can be suspended after a goal or other key moment. A short delay before your bet is accepted is normal.
Cash out
An offer to settle your bet early for a set amount, before the event ends. It can lock in a profit or cut a loss, but the offer is usually set a little below what the bet is worth, so the bookmaker keeps a margin.
- Read the market rules before you bet. They explain how voids, extra time, retirements and abandoned matches are settled.
- Add up your total stake on system and each-way bets, which can be several times the stake per bet.
- Check bonus terms. Some offers exclude system bets, bet builders or cashed-out bets. See free bets and wagering requirements.
- Cash out isn't a withdrawal. It settles the bet to your betting balance. Getting the money out is a separate step; see withdrawals and ID checks.
Good to know
Bet types FAQ
What's the difference between a single and an accumulator?
A single is one selection in one bet. An accumulator puts four or more selections into one bet, multiplies their odds together and only pays if every selection wins.
How many bets are in a Trixie, Yankee and Lucky 15?
A Trixie is 4 bets on 3 selections. A Yankee is 11 bets on 4 selections. A Lucky 15 is 15 bets on 4 selections: the 11 bets of a Yankee plus 4 singles. Your total stake is the stake per bet multiplied by the number of bets.
What happens if one selection in my accumulator is void?
Usually the void leg is treated as a winner at odds of 1.00, so the bet is settled on the remaining selections. A four-fold becomes a treble, at lower odds. Rules vary, so check the site's betting rules.
Does an each-way bet cost double?
Yes. An each-way bet is a win bet and a place bet of the same size, so 10 units each-way costs 20 units in total.
Should I use cash out?
It depends on what you want from the bet. Cash out lets you settle early for a set amount, which can lock in some profit or limit a loss. The amount offered usually includes a margin for the bookmaker, so it tends to be a little below the bet's true value.
Check you're eligible. Whether you can bet online, and which bet types and sites are available to you, depends on the laws where you live and each bookmaker's own terms. This guide is general information only and isn't a recommendation. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly, and see our responsible gambling page if betting stops being fun.