A Goliath is the largest commonly named full-cover multiple bet, covering eight selections in 247 individual bets. Every possible combination from doubles to the eight-fold accumulator is included, except singles. At least two winners are required for any return.
Structure:
- Doubles: 28
- Trebles: 56
- Four-folds: 70
- Five-folds: 56
- Six-folds: 28
- Seven-folds: 8
- Eight-fold: 1
- Total: 247 bets
The eight-fold accumulator is the pinnacle of the Goliath. All eight selections must win, but the odds multiply spectacularly. At even odds of 2.0 per selection, the eight-fold returns 2.0⁸ = 256 times the unit stake. At 3.0 per selection, 3.0⁸ = 6,561 — transforming a 10p unit stake into a potential £656.10 return from just that one bet.
Cost management is the primary consideration. A £1 unit Goliath costs £247 — substantial for any bettor. Most are placed at 10p-25p per line, making the cost £24.70-£61.75 for the full 247 bets. The low unit stake means even moderate returns from three or four winners are modest, but five or more winners at reasonable odds generate meaningful returns.
The Goliath is named after the biblical giant — befitting a bet of its enormous scale. It is occasionally used by serious horse racing bettors who study large cards at major festivals and want total coverage of their eight strongest selections.
Example
10p Goliath (£24.70 total). Four of eight selections win at 3.0, 4.0, 2.5, and 5.0. Applicable bets: 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 four-fold. Four-fold return: 0.10 × (3.0 × 4.0 × 2.5 × 5.0) = 0.10 × 150 = £15. Plus the doubles and trebles, total return could be £40-60 — a profit of approximately £15-35 on the £24.70 stake.