In sports betting it is possible both to bet on a single event and to combine a certain number of events. This combination of bets into one is what we call an accumulator bet.
Within accumulator bets we have simple accumulators, in which we must correctly predict all selected events regardless of how many there are — even if the bet is made up of 10 games and we get “only” 9 right, we lose our bet.
In addition to simple accumulators, there are combined accumulator bets, which have a more complex composition. The goal of choosing a combined accumulator instead of a simple one is that with combined accumulators we can recover part of our investment or even profit, without needing to get every result right.
Let us now explain the combined accumulator bets available at the most well-known bookmakers:
Trixie: To make a Trixie combined accumulator we need to choose 3 bets on different events. A Trixie consists of 3 doubles (2-selection accumulator) and 1 treble (3-selection accumulator). Getting 2 of the 3 selected results correct already gives some return, as one of the doubles is guaranteed. Getting all results correct gives the maximum return as all doubles and the treble are winners.
Patent: This combined accumulator type is very similar to the Trixie, also requiring 3 selections. A Patent consists of 3 singles, 3 doubles and 1 treble — it simply adds 3 singles compared to the Trixie. Getting just one result right gives some return from the singles. With two correct selections we get returns from 2 singles and 1 double; getting all 3 right wins all 7 bets in the “Patent”.
Yankee: A Yankee consists of 11 bets based on 4 different selections: 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 fourfold. Returns start from 2 correct selections.
Lucky15: As the name suggests, a Lucky15 is a set of 15 bets. Like the Yankee, the Lucky15 uses 4 selections split into 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 fourfold and 4 singles. Compared to a Yankee, the 4 added singles mean some return is possible from just one correct selection.
Super Yankee or Canadian: 5 selections are needed to make a Super Yankee. It contains 26 bets: 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds and 1 fivefold. At least 2 correct selections are needed to start getting a return.
Lucky31: 5 selections are needed to place the 31 bets that make up this combined accumulator, split into 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds and 1 fivefold. Just one correct result starts generating a return.
Lucky63: 6 selections are needed for a Lucky63. As the name suggests, the 6 selections are spread across 63 bets: 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds and 1 sixfold. A return is generated from just one correct selection.
Heinz: Similar to the Lucky63 but without the singles. 57 bets across 6 different events: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds and 1 sixfold. Two correct selections are needed to start generating a return.
Super Heinz: 120 bets based on 7 events: 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 fivefolds, 7 sixfolds and 1 sevenfold. Two correct selections are needed to generate a return.
Goliath: 8 selections are needed for this system. The 247 bets are distributed as 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 fourfolds, 56 fivefolds, 28 sixfolds, 8 sevenfolds and 1 eightfold. Two correct events are needed to start generating a return.
Other Combined Accumulator Systems
Alphabet: A mix of two combined accumulator systems plus a single accumulator. 6 selections are needed to make an Alphabet, which is made up of two “Patent” combined accumulators, 1 “Yankee” combined accumulator and 1 sixfold. Just one correct selection starts generating a return.
Combined Accumulators 2/6, 6/8, 5/8 and Similar: Many bookmakers present combined accumulators in this format. To explain using the 2/6 example: the 2 represents the groups of bets that will be formed (in this case doubles), and also the minimum number of correct selections needed for a return; the 6 represents the number of selections required.
Note: To any of these combined accumulators we can always add a banker — an additional selection we consider highly likely to come true. The banker will be present in all bets within the system, so we always need to get the banker right to receive any return.
Clearing up some questions about accumulator bets:
– How to calculate the odds in an accumulator bet: The odds of an accumulator bet are the multiplication of the individual odds of each selected event.
– When an event in an accumulator is voided, what happens? The accumulator stands, with the voided event’s odds becoming 1.00.
