A Yankee is a popular full-cover multiple bet on four selections containing 11 individual bets. It covers every combination of doubles, trebles, and the four-fold accumulator from those four selections, providing returns even if only two of the four selections win.
Structure:
- Doubles (6): AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD
- Trebles (4): ABC, ABD, ACD, BCD
- Four-fold (1): ABCD
Cost: multiply your unit stake by 11.
The Yankee is one of the most popular multiple bet types in British horse racing and football. It strikes a balance between the full coverage of the Lucky 15 (which adds singles) and the simplicity of a four-fold accumulator. Bookmakers often run bonus promotions for Yankees — for example, paying double on the four-fold if all four win.
Returns with 2 winners: only the relevant double pays. Returns with 3 winners: 3 doubles + 1 treble pay. All 4 winners: all 11 bets pay, including the four-fold which has the highest odds multiplier.
Choosing Yankee vs Lucky 15: if any of your four selections is a genuine 50/50 proposition, the Lucky 15's singles are valuable insurance. If you are confident in all four but want downside protection vs a straight accumulator, the Yankee is the efficient choice.
Example
£1 Yankee (£11 total). Selections: A at 2.5, B at 3.0, C at 2.0, D at 4.0. All four win. Six doubles pay: AB=7.5, AC=5, AD=10, BC=6, BD=12, CD=8. Four trebles: ABC=15, ABD=30, ACD=20, BCD=24. Four-fold: 60. Total return = (7.5+5+10+6+12+8+15+30+20+24+60) = £197.50. Profit: £186.50 on an £11 stake.