How to Use This Calculator
Select your desired bet type from the dropdown menu. The calculator supports everything from simple singles to complex multiple bets like Goliaths and Lucky 63s. Choose between decimal or fractional odds format based on your preference.
Enter your total stake amount in pounds. For each way bets, this will be doubled automatically. Add your selections by clicking the “Add Selection” button, then input the odds for each selection. You can mark selections as winners or losers to see different outcomes.
If you’re placing an each way bet, tick the checkbox and select your place terms and number of places paid. For horse racing with Rule 4 deductions, enable that option and enter the deduction percentage. Click “Calculate Returns” to see your potential winnings.
Bet Types Explained
| Bet Type | Selections | Total Bets | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 1 | 1 | One bet on one selection |
| Double | 2 | 1 | Both selections must win |
| Treble | 3 | 1 | All three selections must win |
| Accumulator | 4+ | 1 | All selections must win for a return |
| Trixie | 3 | 4 | 3 doubles and 1 treble |
| Patent | 3 | 7 | 3 singles, 3 doubles, and 1 treble |
| Yankee | 4 | 11 | 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold |
| Lucky 15 | 4 | 15 | 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold |
| Lucky 31 | 5 | 31 | 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds, and 1 fivefold |
| Lucky 63 | 6 | 63 | 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds, and 1 sixfold |
| Canadian | 5 | 26 | 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds, and 1 fivefold |
| Heinz | 6 | 57 | 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds, and 1 sixfold |
| Super Heinz | 7 | 120 | 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 fivefolds, 7 sixfolds, and 1 sevenfold |
| Goliath | 8 | 247 | 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 fourfolds, 56 fivefolds, 28 sixfolds, 8 sevenfolds, and 1 eightfold |
Odds Formats
Decimal Odds
Decimal odds represent the total return for every £1 staked, including your original stake. For example, odds of 2.50 mean you’ll receive £2.50 back for every £1 bet, giving you a profit of £1.50. To calculate returns, simply multiply your stake by the decimal odds.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds show the potential profit relative to your stake. Odds of 6/4 mean you’ll win £6 for every £4 staked, plus your original £4 stake returned. To convert fractional to decimal, divide the first number by the second and add 1. For example, 6/4 becomes (6÷4)+1 = 2.50 in decimal format.
Special Betting Conditions
Each Way Betting
An each way bet consists of two separate bets: one for your selection to win and one for it to place. The stake is doubled, with half going on the win and half on the place. Place terms are typically 1/4 or 1/5 of the win odds, depending on the number of runners and the event type.
For horse races with 5-7 runners, bookmakers usually pay 1/4 odds for 2 places. Races with 8+ runners typically pay 1/4 odds for 3 places, whilst handicaps with 16+ runners may pay 1/4 odds for 4 places. Always check your bookmaker’s specific terms.
Rule 4 Deductions
Rule 4 applies when a horse is withdrawn from a race after betting has commenced. The rule allows bookmakers to make deductions from winnings to compensate for the reduced field. The deduction amount depends on the withdrawn horse’s odds at the time of withdrawal.
Deductions range from 90p in the pound for horses at odds shorter than 1/9, down to 2.5p for horses at 50/1 or longer. If your selection wins but another horse was withdrawn, your returns will be reduced by the applicable Rule 4 percentage.
Dead Heats
A dead heat occurs when two or more selections tie for a position. Your stake is divided by the number of participants in the dead heat, and you’re paid out at full odds on that reduced stake. For example, in a two-way dead heat, you receive half your stake at full odds, plus half your stake returned.
Multiple Bet Strategies
Singles vs Multiples
Single bets offer lower potential returns but higher probability of winning. Multiple bets combine several selections into one wager, offering much higher potential returns but requiring all selections to win. A four-selection accumulator at 2.00 odds each would return 16.00 combined odds.
Full Cover Bets
Full cover bets like Yankees and Heinz bets include all possible combinations of your selections. These provide returns even if not all selections win, but require higher stakes due to the multiple bets involved. A Yankee with four selections at £1 per bet costs £11 total.
Lucky Bets
Lucky 15, Lucky 31, and Lucky 63 bets are full cover bets that include singles as well as all multiple combinations. Many bookmakers offer bonuses for these bets, such as double odds if only one selection wins, or a percentage bonus if all selections win. These bonuses can significantly boost your returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are accumulator bets calculated?
Accumulator returns are calculated by multiplying all the odds together, then multiplying by your stake. For example, four selections at 2.00, 3.00, 1.50, and 2.50 odds would give combined odds of 2.00 × 3.00 × 1.50 × 2.50 = 22.50. A £10 stake would return £225.
What happens if one selection in my accumulator loses?
If any selection in an accumulator loses, the entire bet loses. This is why accumulators offer such high returns – the risk increases with each added selection. For more security, consider full cover bets that provide returns even if some selections lose.
How much does an each way bet cost?
Each way bets cost double your unit stake because you’re placing two bets – one for the win and one for the place. A £5 each way bet costs £10 total. If your selection wins, both parts of the bet pay out. If it only places, you receive returns on the place bet at reduced odds.
Can I mix different sports in one accumulator?
Yes, most bookmakers allow you to combine selections from different sports in a single accumulator. You could include football matches, horse races, and tennis matches all in one bet. However, you cannot usually combine related selections from the same event.
What’s the difference between a Yankee and a Lucky 15?
A Yankee consists of 11 bets from 4 selections and does not include any singles. A Lucky 15 includes the same 11 bets plus 4 single bets, totalling 15 bets. The Lucky 15 costs more but provides returns even if only one selection wins. Many bookmakers offer bonuses on Lucky 15 bets.
How is Rule 4 calculated?
Rule 4 deductions are determined by the odds of the withdrawn horse at the time of withdrawal. The shorter the odds of the withdrawn horse, the higher the deduction from your winnings. For example, a horse withdrawn at 5/1 results in a 20p in the pound deduction, meaning you receive 80% of your calculated winnings.
Are there minimum stakes for multiple bets?
Minimum stakes vary by bookmaker but typically range from 10p to £1 per bet line. For a Lucky 63 with 63 bets, a 10p unit stake would cost £6.30 total. Always check your bookmaker’s minimum stake requirements before placing complex multiple bets.
Can I cash out my bet early?
Most major bookmakers offer cash out options on many bets, allowing you to settle your bet before all selections complete. The cash out value depends on the current likelihood of your bet winning. This calculator shows potential returns if your bet settles normally, not cash out values.
Betting Odds Comparison
| Fractional | Decimal | Implied Probability | £10 Returns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 1.10 | 90.91% | £11.00 |
| 1/5 | 1.20 | 83.33% | £12.00 |
| 1/4 | 1.25 | 80.00% | £12.50 |
| 1/3 | 1.33 | 75.00% | £13.30 |
| 1/2 | 1.50 | 66.67% | £15.00 |
| Evens (1/1) | 2.00 | 50.00% | £20.00 |
| 6/4 | 2.50 | 40.00% | £25.00 |
| 2/1 | 3.00 | 33.33% | £30.00 |
| 3/1 | 4.00 | 25.00% | £40.00 |
| 4/1 | 5.00 | 20.00% | £50.00 |
| 5/1 | 6.00 | 16.67% | £60.00 |
| 10/1 | 11.00 | 9.09% | £110.00 |
| 20/1 | 21.00 | 4.76% | £210.00 |
| 50/1 | 51.00 | 1.96% | £510.00 |
References
Gambling Commission (2024). Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice. https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
British Horseracing Authority (2024). Rules of Racing. https://www.britishhorseracing.com
BeGambleAware (2024). Safer Gambling Guidelines. https://www.begambleaware.org