The Heinz is a 57-bet system covering every possible combination of six selections, excluding singles. Named after the famous "57 varieties" slogan, it offers a structured way to back six picks without relying on all six to win.
The 57 Bet Breakdown
From six selections (A, B, C, D, E, F), a Heinz generates:
| Bet Type | Number of Bets | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Doubles | 15 | AB, AC, AD, AE, AF, BC, BD... |
| Trebles | 20 | ABC, ABD, ABE, ABF, ACD... |
| Four-folds | 15 | ABCD, ABCE, ABCF, ABDE... |
| Five-folds | 6 | ABCDE, ABCDF, ABCEF... |
| Six-fold | 1 | ABCDEF |
| Total | 57 |
At £1 per bet, the total stake is £57.
Worked Return Example
Suppose your six selections have these decimal odds:
| Selection | Odds | Result |
|---|---|---|
| A | 2.50 | Won |
| B | 3.00 | Won |
| C | 1.80 | Won |
| D | 2.20 | Lost |
| E | 4.00 | Won |
| F | 2.00 | Lost |
Four of six win (A, B, C, E). The winning bets are:
- 6 doubles from A, B, C, E (e.g., AB = 2.50 x 3.00 = 7.50)
- 4 trebles (e.g., ABC = 2.50 x 3.00 x 1.80 = 13.50)
- 1 four-fold (ABCE = 2.50 x 3.00 x 1.80 x 4.00 = 54.00)
At £1 stakes, the total return from these 11 winning bets is approximately £161.50 against a £57 outlay -- a profit of around £104.50.
When a Heinz Makes Sense
The Heinz works best when:
- You have six selections you rate highly but accept one or two may lose
- Individual odds are long enough (2.00+) for smaller combinations to generate meaningful returns
- You prefer structured coverage over a straight six-fold acca
When to Avoid
- If your selections have short odds (below 1.50), the doubles and trebles may not cover the high total stake
- If you are on a limited bankroll, the 57-unit cost is a significant commitment
Heinz vs Other System Bets
- Lucky 63: Adds 6 singles to the Heinz (63 bets). Returns from just one winner.
- Super Heinz: 7 selections, 120 bets. Same structure but one extra selection.
- Goliath: 8 selections, 247 bets. The cost escalates rapidly.
System bets provide safety nets at the cost of higher stakes. The Heinz strikes a middle ground for bettors who want coverage across six selections without the extreme outlay of larger systems.