What Are the Different Types of Bets? Every Bet Type Explained

Understanding the different bet types available is essential before you start wagering. Each type carries a different risk-reward profile, and choosing the right one depends on your strategy and goals.

Singles

A single is one bet on one outcome. You pick a winner, set your stake, and collect if you are right.

Example: £10 on Manchester City to beat Arsenal at 1.80 returns £18 (£8 profit). Singles offer the best chance of winning and are the foundation of any serious betting approach.

Doubles and Trebles

A double links two selections into one bet. Both must win. A treble links three.

Example: A £5 double on Liverpool (2.00) and Chelsea (2.50) pays £25 if both win. A £5 treble adding Tottenham (3.00) pays £75.

Accumulators

An accumulator (acca) chains four or more selections. All must win. The appeal is enormous potential returns from a small stake.

Example: A £2 five-fold acca with each selection at 2.00 returns £64. However, the probability of all five winning is just 3.1% — meaning you would expect to lose roughly 31 out of 32 such bets.

System Bets

System bets cover multiple combinations within a group of selections, providing returns even if not all legs win.

Bet Type	Selections	Number of Bets	Minimum Winners Needed
Trixie	3	4	2
Patent	3	7	1
Yankee	4	11	2
Lucky 15	4	15	1
Heinz	6	57	2

Each-Way Bets

An each-way bet splits your stake into two equal parts: one on the selection to win, and one to place (finish in the top positions). Place terms vary by event.

Example: £10 each-way (total stake £20) on a horse at 10/1 with 1/4 place terms. If it wins, you get £100 win + £25 place + £20 stake = £145. If it places but does not win, you get £25 place + £10 place stake = £35.

Choosing the Right Bet Type

For consistent results, professional bettors overwhelmingly favour singles. Multiples are best reserved for small-stake entertainment. System bets offer insurance but at a higher total cost. Match your bet type to your goals: singles for discipline, multiples for fun, and each-way for events with large fields.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a single bet?+

A single bet is a wager on one selection in one event. If your selection wins, you collect your stake multiplied by the odds. Singles are the lowest-risk bet type and are recommended for beginners learning to assess value.

What is the difference between a double and a treble?+

A double combines two selections — both must win for the bet to pay out. A treble combines three selections with the same requirement. The odds multiply together, so a double at 2.00 and 3.00 pays 6.00. A treble adds a third multiplier, increasing both the potential payout and the risk.

Are accumulator bets worth it?+

Accumulators offer excitement and large potential returns from small stakes, but the probability of winning drops sharply with each added selection. A five-fold acca with each leg at 2.00 has only a 3.1% chance of winning. They are best treated as occasional fun bets, not a consistent strategy.

What is a Lucky 15 bet?+

A Lucky 15 consists of 15 bets across 4 selections: 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator. It costs 15 times your unit stake. The advantage is that you get a return if even one selection wins, unlike a straight accumulator where all must win.

What is an each-way bet?+

An each-way bet is two bets in one: a win bet and a place bet. If your selection wins, both parts pay out. If it finishes in a place position (usually top 2-4 depending on the event), only the place part pays at a fraction of the win odds. Each-way bets are most common in horse racing and golf.