Learn About Different Types of Bets
Single
A single selection is recognised as the simplest of all bets. It is based around the outcome of a match and an event, and typically the event can only either win or lose. In the case of a football match, if a single is placed on one team to win at 2/1, if they are successful, a £10 bet would return £20 profits.
Each Way
Competitions which have large fields, such as horse races, offer the option of each way bets. A punter will win on two placings - usually if their pick wins or achieves a high placing such as 2nd - this can increase their chances of winning in cases where the odds for each contestant are high.
Accumulators
An accumulator is a series of bets - typically in the range of four to ten bets - on multiple outcomes. They must all win for the accumulator to offer a return, although special promotions can be made available in which all but one selection still counts as a win.
Doubles / trebles / four fold accumulators
Doubles and trebles can be seen as 'mini accumulators'. They allow bets to be paired or bunched in threes, with the punter having the incentive of winning more if all of the bets are successful. Four fold, five fold, six fold and more accumulators are the names given to distinguish how many bets are involved in an accumulator series.
Trixie
A trixie bet is made up of four bets on three selections in different contests. It includes three doubles and a treble, and requires at least two selections to be successful in order to win. It is a 'full cover' bet which allows all combinations to be covered when three selections are picked.
Patent
A patent involves seven bets on three selections in different events. It consists of a single on each selection, along with three doubles and a treble. All it takes is one selection to succeed in order to offer a return. A patent is a form of 'full cover' multiple bet.
Yankee
A yankee is a full cover multiple bet which involves a total of eight bets on four selections, consisting of six doubles, four trebles and an accumulator. For a return, at least two selections must be successful. It is a complex multiple betting system which is typically selected by more experienced punters.
Lucky 15
A lucky 15 is a bet which involves 15 bets on four selections in different contests. It is made up of four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a four fold. In the case that only one selection wins it is customary that returns are paid to double the odds. If all four selections come in, a 10 per cent bonus can be expected. Lucky 15 bets are typically only found in horse and greyhound racing events.
Canadian
A Canadian, which is sometimes known as a Super Yankee, involves 26 bets on five selections in different events. A Canadian is made up of ten doubles, ten trebles, five four folds and an accumulator. In order for the punter to receive a return, at least two of the selections must be successful.
Lucky 31
A Lucky 31 involves 31 bets on five selections. A Lucky 31 is made up of five singles, ten doubles, ten trebles, five four folds and a five fold accumulator, which comes to a total of 31. All it takes for a return is a single win from any selection. It is similar to a Canadian, with the addition of five single selections.
Heinz
A Lucky 31 involves 31 bets on five selections. A Lucky 31 is made up of five singles, ten doubles, ten trebles, five four folds and a five fold accumulator, which comes to a total of 31. All it takes for a return is a single win from any selection. It is similar to a Canadian, with the addition of five single selections.
Lucky 63
A Lucky 63 is a six selection full cover bet which involves a total of 63 bets. It is made up of six singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four folds, six five folds and a six fold accumulator. You must have at least one winning selection in order to receive returns on a Lucky 63 bet.
Super Heinz
A super Heinz involves no less than 120 bets on seven selections in different contests. It is made up of 21 doubles, 35 four folds, seven sixfolds and an accumulator. At least two of a punter's selections must be successful in order to get a return.
Goliath
A Goliath involves 247 bets on eight selections in different contests. A minimum of two successful selections are required for a return, and the bet is made up of 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 four folds, 56 five folds, 28 six folds, eight seven folds and an accumulator.
Straight forecast
A straight forecast bet requires the punter to pick selections for first and second place in an event, in that specific order. Winnings are often dependent on the amount of money wagered in a certain pool.
Reversed forecast
A reversed forecast is essentially two separate forecast bets, in which, for example, one horse is selected to come 1st and another 2nd in one selection, and vice versa in the other bet.
Combination forecasts
A combination forecast is similar to a reverse forecast, in that it includes all forecasts which are possible, in all the orders which are possible. That could be three selections with six different forecast bets in order to account for every 1 - 2 - 3 combination of placings.
Straight tricasts
Similar to a straight forecast, a straight tricast requires the punter to choose the first three horses, greyhounds, or otherwise, in the correct order. Sometimes straight tricast bets are only available in events which involve eight or more participants.
Combination tricasts
A combination tricast involves all selections made in a tricast, in all possible orders that they can make up a 1 - 2 - 3 finish. It is essentially six tricast bets in order to provide full coverage.