What Is a Trixie Bet? Complete Guide with Examples

Understand the Trixie bet: 3 selections, 4 bets (3 doubles + 1 treble). Learn how returns are calculated and when a Trixie is the right choice.

beginner6 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026Editorial Team
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Key Takeaways

  • A Trixie consists of 3 selections combined into 4 bets: 3 doubles and 1 treble.
  • You need at least 2 of 3 selections to win to get a return.
  • A £1 Trixie costs £4 total (£1 per bet x 4 bets).
  • Trixies offer better returns than three separate singles when multiple selections win.
  • Unlike a Patent, a Trixie has no singles — so one winner from three returns nothing.

A Trixie is one of the simplest system bets and a natural step up from trebles. It gives you coverage when one of your three selections lets you down.

How a Trixie Works

You choose 3 selections and the bookmaker generates 4 bets:

Bet Type Selections
1 Double A + B
2 Double A + C
3 Double B + C
4 Treble A + B + C

A £1 Trixie costs £4 (£1 x 4 bets).

Worked Example

Selections at decimal odds:

  • A: Arsenal to win at 2.00
  • B: Liverpool to win at 3.00
  • C: Chelsea to win at 4.00

All 3 Win

Bet Calculation Return
Double A+B £1 x 2.00 x 3.00 £6.00
Double A+C £1 x 2.00 x 4.00 £8.00
Double B+C £1 x 3.00 x 4.00 £12.00
Treble £1 x 2.00 x 3.00 x 4.00 £24.00
Total £50.00

Profit: £50.00 - £4.00 stake = £46.00

2 of 3 Win (A and B win, C loses)

Bet Calculation Return
Double A+B £1 x 2.00 x 3.00 £6.00
Double A+C Lost £0
Double B+C Lost £0
Treble Lost £0
Total £6.00

Profit: £6.00 - £4.00 = £2.00

Trixie vs Treble vs Patent

Bet Type Bets Cost (£1) Needs to Win Best For
Treble 1 £1 All 3 Maximum payout, high risk
Trixie 4 £4 2 of 3 Moderate coverage
Patent 7 £7 1 of 3 Maximum coverage

When to Use a Trixie

A Trixie is appropriate when:

  • You have 3 strong selections but accept one might lose
  • The odds are high enough that doubles still provide good returns
  • You want more coverage than a treble without the cost of a Patent

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bets are in a Trixie?+
A Trixie contains 4 bets: 3 doubles and 1 treble. With selections A, B, and C, the bets are: A+B double, A+C double, B+C double, and A+B+C treble.
What happens if only one selection wins?+
You lose. A Trixie has no single bets, so you need at least 2 winners to get any return. If you want protection from a single winner, consider a Patent bet instead (which adds 3 singles).
How are Trixie returns calculated?+
Each bet is calculated separately. If selections A (2.00), B (3.00), and C (4.00) all win: Double A+B = £1 x 2.00 x 3.00 = £6. Double A+C = £1 x 2.00 x 4.00 = £8. Double B+C = £1 x 3.00 x 4.00 = £12. Treble = £1 x 2.00 x 3.00 x 4.00 = £24. Total return: £50 from a £4 stake.
Is a Trixie better than a treble?+
A Trixie provides insurance. A treble at the same odds would cost £1 and return £24, but returns nothing if one selection loses. A Trixie costs £4 but still returns money if 2 of 3 win. It depends on your risk appetite.
Can I place a Trixie each-way?+
Yes. An each-way Trixie doubles the number of bets to 8 (4 win bets + 4 place bets), costing £8 at £1 per bet. This is popular in horse racing where place terms apply.

Bet Responsibly

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What Is a Trixie Bet? Complete Guide with Examples | Betmana - Sports Data & Analytics