What Is a Yankee Bet? Complete Guide to This 11-Bet System

Understand the Yankee bet: 4 selections, 11 bets covering doubles, trebles, and a fourfold. Returns calculation and strategy explained.

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

  • ✓A Yankee consists of 4 selections combined into 11 bets: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold.
  • ✓You need at least 2 of 4 selections to win for a return.
  • ✓A £1 Yankee costs £11 total.
  • ✓Yankees amplify returns when 3 or 4 selections win, but the £11 outlay means 2 winners at short odds may not cover the cost.
  • ✓Like the Trixie, a Yankee excludes singles — for single-winner protection, use a Lucky 15.

A Yankee is the 4-selection equivalent of a Trixie. It covers all combinations of doubles, trebles, and the fourfold — giving you returns even when one or two selections fail.

How a Yankee Works

Choose 4 selections (A, B, C, D). The bookmaker generates 11 bets:

Bet Type Count Combinations
Doubles 6 AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD
Trebles 4 ABC, ABD, ACD, BCD
Fourfold 1 ABCD

Cost: £11 at £1 per bet.

Worked Example

Selections: A (2.00), B (3.00), C (2.50), D (4.00)

All 4 Win

  • 6 Doubles: £6 + £5 + £8 + £7.50 + £12 + £10 = £48.50
  • 4 Trebles: £15 + £24 + £20 + £30 = £89
  • Fourfold: £60
  • Total: £197.50 | Profit: £186.50

3 of 4 Win (A, B, C win; D loses)

  • 3 winning doubles (AB, AC, BC): £6 + £5 + £7.50 = £18.50
  • 1 winning treble (ABC): £15
  • Total: £33.50 | Profit: £22.50

2 of 4 Win (A, B win; C, D lose)

  • 1 winning double (AB): £6
  • Total: £6 | Net loss: £5

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bets are in a Yankee?+
11 bets: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold accumulator. No singles are included.
How much does a Yankee cost?+
A £1 Yankee costs £11 (11 bets x £1 each). An each-way Yankee costs £22.
What if only 2 of 4 selections win?+
Only 1 of the 6 doubles wins. At typical odds of 2.00-3.00, this is unlikely to cover the £11 stake. You need both winners at combined odds of at least 11.00 for the double to break even.
Is a Yankee better than a fourfold accumulator?+
A Yankee costs 11x more but provides coverage when 1-2 selections lose. A fourfold costs £1 but returns nothing unless all 4 win. The Yankee is lower risk but lower reward per pound staked.
What is the difference between a Yankee and Lucky 15?+
A Lucky 15 adds 4 singles to a Yankee (15 bets total vs 11). The singles provide a return from just one winner. A Lucky 15 costs £15 vs £11 for a Yankee at £1 per bet.

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What Is a Yankee Bet? Complete Guide to This 11-Bet System | Betmana - Sports Betting