The Lucky 31 is the next step up from the Lucky 15 — adding a fifth selection to create 31 bets across every possible combination. It is a popular choice for horse racing punters with a full afternoon card of fancies.
How a Lucky 31 Works
Pick 5 selections. The bet automatically generates:
- 5 singles — one bet on each selection
- 10 doubles — every pair combination
- 10 trebles — every trio combination
- 5 four-folds — every group of four
- 1 five-fold accumulator — all five together
Total: 31 bets. At £1 per line, your outlay is £31.
Lucky 31 Returns Example
Five selections at odds of 2.50, 3.00, 4.00, 5.00, and 6.00 with a £1 unit stake (£31 total):
- All 5 win: Every bet wins — singles, doubles, trebles, four-folds, and the five-fold. Total returns exceed £3,000 from a £31 outlay.
- 3 of 5 win (2.50, 4.00, 6.00): You collect on 3 singles, 3 doubles, and 1 treble — approximately £133 in returns.
- 1 of 5 wins (3.00 only): You collect £3 on the single. With a double-odds bonus, that becomes £5.
The returns scale dramatically with each additional winner because every new winner activates multiple combination bets.
Bookmaker Bonuses
Standard Lucky 31 bonuses at UK bookmakers:
- One winner: Double the odds on the single
- All five winners: 20% bonus added to total returns
- Some bookmakers offer consolation returns if no selections win but one or more place (each-way only)
When to Use a Lucky 31
A Lucky 31 is right when:
- You have 5 well-researched selections across a race card
- You want more coverage than a Lucky 15 but the same structural protection
- You are comfortable with a £31+ outlay at £1 per line
- At least 2-3 of your selections are at decent odds (3.00+) to make the multiples worthwhile
Lucky 31 vs Lucky 63
If you have a sixth selection, a Lucky 63 (63 bets) provides even broader coverage — but at twice the cost again. Most recreational bettors find the Lucky 31 the sweet spot between coverage and affordability.