🎯 Choose Your System Bet Type
Select a system bet type. Each type has a specific number of selections and generates different combinations of doubles, trebles, and accumulators.
💰 Stake & Odds Format
🏇 Enter Your Selections
Enter odds for each selection and mark whether they won or lost to see your returns.
Bet Breakdown by Type
| Bet Type | Number of Bets | Winning | Total Stake | Return |
|---|
Understanding System Bets (Full Cover Bets)
System bets, also known as full cover bets, are a popular betting format that combines multiple selections into various combinations of doubles, trebles, and accumulators. Unlike a single accumulator where all selections must win, system bets provide returns as long as a minimum number of selections win—making them less risky while still offering substantial payouts when multiple selections come through.
According to the UK Gambling Commission, combination bets like system bets are among the most popular bet types in British bookmaking, particularly for horse racing and football markets. Understanding how these bets work is essential for making informed betting decisions.
How System Bets Work
A system bet breaks your selections into every possible combination of multiples. For example, a Yankee (4 selections) creates 11 separate bets: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator. Each of these 11 bets is staked separately, so a £1 Yankee costs £11 total.
Key Principle: With system bets, you don't need all selections to win. In a Yankee, if just 2 of your 4 selections win, you'll get a return from one of the doubles. The more winners you have, the more individual bets pay out.
System Bets Without Singles vs. With Singles
System bets fall into two categories, as explained by betting mathematics research from the UNLV Center for Gaming Research:
Without Singles (Trixie, Yankee, Canadian, Heinz, Super Heinz, Goliath)
- Only include doubles and higher multiples
- Require at least 2 winners for any return
- Lower total stake (fewer bets)
- Higher risk but better odds per unit staked
With Singles (Patent, Lucky 15, Lucky 31, Lucky 63)
- Include single bets plus all multiples
- Return from just 1 winner
- Higher total stake (more bets)
- Lower risk with potential bookmaker bonuses
The "Lucky" Bet Bonuses
Many bookmakers offer special bonuses on Lucky 15, Lucky 31, and Lucky 63 bets. Common bonuses include:
- Single Winner Bonus: Double odds (or sometimes treble odds) if only one selection wins
- All Winners Bonus: 10-25% bonus on total returns if all selections win
- Consolation Payments: Money back as a free bet if all selections lose
Important: Bonus terms vary significantly between bookmakers. Always check the specific terms before placing Lucky bets. Some bonuses only apply to horse racing, require minimum odds, or have other restrictions.
Complete System Bet Reference
| System | Selections | Singles | Doubles | Trebles | 4-folds | 5-folds | 6-folds | 7-folds | 8-fold | Total Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trixie | 3 | - | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 4 |
| Patent | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 7 |
| Yankee | 4 | - | 6 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 11 |
| Lucky 15 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 15 |
| Canadian | 5 | - | 10 | 10 | 5 | 1 | - | - | - | 26 |
| Lucky 31 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 1 | - | - | - | 31 |
| Heinz | 6 | - | 15 | 20 | 15 | 6 | 1 | - | - | 57 |
| Lucky 63 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 6 | 1 | - | - | 63 |
| Super Heinz | 7 | - | 21 | 35 | 35 | 21 | 7 | 1 | - | 120 |
| Goliath | 8 | - | 28 | 56 | 70 | 56 | 28 | 8 | 1 | 247 |
System Bet Mathematics
The number of bets in a system follows combinatorial mathematics. For n selections, the number of k-fold combinations is calculated using the binomial coefficient: C(n,k) = n! / (k! × (n-k)!)
For example, in a Yankee (4 selections):
- Doubles: C(4,2) = 4! / (2! × 2!) = 6
- Trebles: C(4,3) = 4! / (3! × 1!) = 4
- Four-fold: C(4,4) = 1
- Total: 6 + 4 + 1 = 11 bets
For more on probability mathematics, see our Probability Calculator and Variance and Expected Value guide.
When to Use System Bets
System bets are most appropriate when:
- You have multiple confident selections but aren't certain all will win
- You want to reduce variance compared to a straight accumulator
- You're targeting Lucky bet bonuses from bookmakers
- Horse racing where unpredictable outcomes are common
Mathematical Reality: System bets don't change the house edge—they simply redistribute risk. The expected return is the sum of expected returns from each individual bet. If your selections don't have positive expected value individually, a system bet won't make them profitable collectively.
System Bets vs. Accumulators
Comparing a Yankee to a 4-fold accumulator with the same selections illustrates the risk/reward tradeoff:
4-Fold Accumulator:
- 1 bet, lower stake
- Requires all 4 winners for any return
- Maximum potential return
Yankee (same selections):
- 11 bets, higher stake
- Returns from just 2 winners
- Lower maximum return but consistent smaller payouts
For understanding accumulator mathematics, see our Parlay Calculator.
Using This Calculator
- Select your system type: Choose from Trixie, Patent, Yankee, etc.
- Set your unit stake: This is the stake per individual bet
- Enter selection odds: Input odds in your preferred format
- Mark results: Toggle Win/Lose for each selection
- Review breakdown: See returns for each bet type
For bankroll management when placing system bets, consult our Bankroll Management Guide and Session Planner Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a system bet?
A system bet (also called a full cover bet) is a combination of multiple bets across several selections, including doubles, trebles, and accumulators. Unlike a single accumulator where all selections must win, system bets pay out as long as a minimum number of selections win, providing partial returns even when not all picks are successful.
What is a Trixie bet?
A Trixie is a system bet on 3 selections consisting of 4 bets: 3 doubles and 1 treble. At least 2 selections must win to get a return. There are no singles, so if only one selection wins, you lose your entire stake. A Trixie costs 4 units.
What is a Patent bet?
A Patent is a system bet on 3 selections consisting of 7 bets: 3 singles, 3 doubles, and 1 treble. Unlike a Trixie, a Patent includes singles, so you get a return if even just one selection wins. A Patent costs 7 units.
What is a Yankee bet?
A Yankee is a system bet on 4 selections consisting of 11 bets: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator. At least 2 selections must win for a return. A Yankee costs 11 units and is popular for horse racing and football.
What is a Lucky 15 bet?
A Lucky 15 is a system bet on 4 selections consisting of 15 bets: 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator. It's a Yankee with singles added, meaning any single winner gives a return. Many bookmakers offer bonuses for Lucky 15 bets, such as double odds for a single winner or bonuses if all 4 selections win.
What is a Lucky 31 bet?
A Lucky 31 is a system bet on 5 selections consisting of 31 bets: 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, and 1 five-fold accumulator. It costs 31 units but provides returns from any single winner. Bookmakers often offer bonuses on Lucky 31 bets.
What is a Lucky 63 bet?
A Lucky 63 is a system bet on 6 selections consisting of 63 bets: 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds, and 1 six-fold accumulator. It's the largest common 'Lucky' bet and provides returns from any single winner, with potential bonuses from bookmakers.
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