System Bet Calculator
Calculate returns for all system bet types including Trixie, Patent, Yankee, Lucky 15, Canadian, Lucky 31, Heinz, and Lucky 63. See full combination breakdowns and profit analysis instantly.
System Bet Calculator
Calculate returns for Trixie, Patent, Yankee, Lucky 15, and more
3 selections: 3 doubles + 1 treble
Selections (3)
Selection 1
Result
Selection 2
Result
Selection 3
Result
Stake per bet. Total stake = 4 bets x unit stake
£
Click an example to see how different system bets work. These examples show typical scenarios and how returns are calculated across combination types.
All Winners
4 selections all won at 2.00, 1.80, 3.50, 2.20
Total Bets:
15 bets at £1
Best case scenario - all 15 bets win including the fourfold accumulator. See the full breakdown.
3 of 4 Winners
4 selections: 3 won, 1 lost
Total Bets:
11 bets at £1
Shows how system bets protect you - with 1 loser you still profit from winning doubles and trebles.
Mixed Results (2 Won, 1 Void)
3 selections: 2 won at 2.50 & 3.00, 1 void
Total Bets:
7 bets at £1
Demonstrates void selection handling - void legs are treated as odds 1.0, reducing returns without losing the bet.
What are System Bets?
System bets are a type of combination bet that covers multiple selections across different accumulator types. Unlike a straight accumulator where all selections must win, system bets spread your wager across multiple combinations of doubles, trebles, fourfolds, and more. This means you can still get a return even if not all your selections win.
Each system bet type is defined by the number of selections and the combinations it covers. For example, a Trixie on 3 selections creates 4 separate bets (3 doubles + 1 treble), while a Lucky 15 on 4 selections creates 15 bets (4 singles + 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 fourfold).
The key advantage of system bets is risk management. While your total stake is higher because you're placing multiple bets, you have protection against one or more selections losing. This makes them popular with bettors who want accumulator-style returns with reduced risk.
How to Use the System Bet Calculator
Step 1: Select Your Bet Type
Choose from 8 system bet types: Trixie, Patent, Yankee, Lucky 15, Canadian, Lucky 31, Heinz, or Lucky 63. The calculator will automatically adjust the number of selections to match. Each type shows the total number of bets and combination breakdown.
Step 2: Enter Your Selections
For each selection, enter the decimal odds (e.g., 2.00). Optionally add a name for reference (e.g., "Man United to win"). Set each selection's result to Won, Lost, or Void depending on the outcome. Void selections are treated as odds of 1.0.
Step 3: Set Your Unit Stake
Enter your unit stake (the amount per individual bet). Your total stake will be this amount multiplied by the number of bets in the system. For example, £1 unit stake on a Lucky 15 (15 bets) = £15 total stake.
Step 4: Review Your Results
The calculator shows your total return, profit/loss, ROI, and a detailed breakdown by combination type. You can see exactly how much each group of bets (singles, doubles, trebles, etc.) contributes to your total return.
System Bet Types Explained
| Bet Type | Selections | Total Bets | Singles | Combination Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trixie | 3 | 4 | No | 3 doubles + 1 treble |
| Patent | 3 | 7 | Yes | 3 singles + 3 doubles + 1 treble |
| Yankee | 4 | 11 | No | 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 fourfold |
| Lucky 15 | 4 | 15 | Yes | 4 singles + 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 fourfold |
| Canadian | 5 | 26 | No | 10 doubles + 10 trebles + 5 fourfolds + 1 fivefold |
| Lucky 31 | 5 | 31 | Yes | 5 singles + 10 doubles + 10 trebles + 5 fourfolds + 1 fivefold |
| Heinz | 6 | 57 | No | 15 doubles + 20 trebles + 15 fourfolds + 6 fivefolds + 1 sixfold |
| Lucky 63 | 6 | 63 | Yes | 6 singles + 15 doubles + 20 trebles + 15 fourfolds + 6 fivefolds + 1 sixfold |
Trixie (3 Selections, 4 Bets)
The simplest system bet - 3 doubles and 1 treble from 3 selections. You need at least 2 winners to get a return. Named after Beatrix "Trixie" - a classic bet type popular in horse racing.
Best for: Confident picks where you believe at least 2 of 3 will win but want accumulator-style returns without the all-or-nothing risk.
Patent (3 Selections, 7 Bets)
A Trixie plus 3 singles (3 singles + 3 doubles + 1 treble). The inclusion of singles means you get a return even if just 1 selection wins, making it the safest 3-selection system bet. The total stake is almost double a Trixie.
Best for: When you want maximum protection on 3 selections. Even a single winner returns money.
Yankee (4 Selections, 11 Bets)
The most popular 4-selection system bet: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold accumulator. You need at least 2 winners for a return. The Yankee offers excellent value when 3 or 4 selections win, with the fourfold providing a big payout if all come in.
Best for: Weekend football accas - pick 4 strong selections and protect against 1-2 losers.
Lucky 15 (4 Selections, 15 Bets)
A Yankee plus 4 singles (4 singles + 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 fourfold). One of the most popular system bets in the UK. Many bookmakers offer bonuses on Lucky 15s: a consolation payout if only 1 selection wins, and a bonus if all 4 win.
Best for: The go-to system bet for many bettors. Bookmaker bonuses often make this better value than a plain Yankee.
Canadian / Super Yankee (5 Selections, 26 Bets)
Also known as a Super Yankee, this covers 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds, and 1 fivefold from 5 selections. The 26 bets mean a significant total stake, but the coverage means you can absorb up to 3 losers and still get a return from the winning doubles.
Best for: Experienced bettors who want to cover 5 selections with maximum combination coverage.
Lucky 31 (5 Selections, 31 Bets)
A Canadian plus 5 singles. With 31 bets covering every possible combination of 5 selections, this guarantees a return if even 1 selection wins. Like Lucky 15, some bookmakers offer bonuses for Lucky 31 bets.
Best for: Maximum safety on 5 selections with potential bookmaker bonuses.
Heinz (6 Selections, 57 Bets)
Named after Heinz's famous "57 varieties", this covers all possible combinations of 6 selections without singles: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds, and 1 sixfold. The 57 bets make this an expensive bet, but the return potential is enormous.
Best for: High-stakes bettors who want comprehensive coverage on 6 strong selections.
Lucky 63 (6 Selections, 63 Bets)
The largest standard system bet - a Heinz plus 6 singles, totaling 63 bets. This covers every possible combination from 6 selections. With a £1 unit stake, you're investing £63 total. Returns can be astronomical if all 6 win, and you're covered even with a single winner.
Best for: Maximum coverage and protection. Often used for big Saturday horse racing cards.
System Bets vs Accumulators
Understanding the difference between system bets and accumulators is crucial for choosing the right bet type:
| Feature | Accumulator | System Bet |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | All selections in one combined bet | Multiple smaller combined bets |
| If one loses | Entire bet loses | Can still profit from other combinations |
| Total stake | Lower (single bet) | Higher (multiple bets) |
| Max return (all win) | Higher per pound staked | Lower per pound staked |
| Risk level | High (all or nothing) | Moderate (spread risk) |
| Best for | High confidence, small stake | Good confidence, risk management |
Example: 4 selections at 2.00 odds each. A £4 fourfold accumulator returns £64 if all win, but £0 if any lose. A £1 Yankee (£11 total stake) returns £57 if all 4 win, but still returns £12 if 3 of 4 win. The Yankee costs more but provides a safety net.
System Bet Strategy Tips
1. Choose Higher Odds Selections
System bets work best with selections at odds of 2.00 or higher. At lower odds, the multiple bet costs eat into your returns. With higher odds, even the smaller combinations (doubles) produce meaningful returns. Aim for average odds of 2.00-4.00 per selection for the best balance.
2. Consider "Lucky" Variants for Bookmaker Bonuses
Many UK bookmakers offer bonuses on Lucky 15 and Lucky 31 bets: a consolation payout (e.g., double the odds) if only 1 selection wins, and a 10-20% bonus if all selections win. These bonuses can make the "Lucky" variants better value than their non-singles counterparts despite the higher stake.
3. Match Your Confidence Level to the Bet Type
Use a Trixie/Yankee when you're confident most selections will win (need 2+ winners for a return). Use a Patent/Lucky 15 when you're less certain and want protection from a single winner. The higher the uncertainty, the more you benefit from including singles.
4. Keep Unit Stakes Small
Because system bets multiply your unit stake by many bets (up to 63), keep your unit stake small. A £1 Lucky 63 costs £63, a £5 Lucky 63 costs £315. Calculate your total stake before placing and ensure it fits your bankroll management strategy.
5. Use System Bets for Horse Racing
System bets were originally designed for horse racing and remain most popular there. A Lucky 15 across 4 races on a Saturday card gives you comprehensive coverage. If your tips are good enough to hit 3 of 4 regularly, system bets will outperform straight accumulators over time.
6. Understand the Break-Even Point
For a Yankee, you typically need 2 winners at decent odds (roughly 3.00+) to cover your total stake. For a Lucky 15, a single winner at odds of 4.0+ can cover the £15 stake. Use our calculator to model different scenarios and understand exactly how many winners you need to profit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Trixie bet?
A Trixie is a system bet consisting of 4 bets from 3 selections: 3 doubles and 1 treble. You need at least 2 selections to win to get a return. It's the simplest system bet and costs 4 times your unit stake. For example, a £1 Trixie costs £4 total.
What is the difference between a Trixie and a Patent?
Both use 3 selections, but a Patent includes 3 additional single bets (7 bets total vs 4). This means a Patent pays out even with just 1 winner, while a Trixie needs at least 2 winners. The Patent costs nearly double the stake but provides extra safety.
How many winners do I need for a Yankee to pay out?
You need at least 2 winners for a Yankee (11 bets from 4 selections) to return money, as the smallest bet combination is a double. With 2 winners, you get 1 winning double. With 3 winners, you get 3 winning doubles plus 1 winning treble. With all 4, every bet wins including the fourfold accumulator.
What is a Lucky 15 and why is it called "lucky"?
A Lucky 15 is 15 bets from 4 selections (4 singles + 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 fourfold). It's called "lucky" because many bookmakers offer special bonuses: a consolation payout if only 1 selection wins (typically double odds on the single), and a bonus if all 4 win (typically 10-20% extra). These bonuses make it a favourite among recreational bettors.
Why is it called a Heinz bet?
The Heinz bet is named after the Heinz food company's famous slogan "57 varieties". A Heinz bet on 6 selections produces exactly 57 bets (15 doubles + 20 trebles + 15 fourfolds + 6 fivefolds + 1 sixfold). The name has been used by bookmakers since the mid-20th century.
What happens to a system bet if one selection is void?
When a selection is voided (e.g., non-runner in horse racing or postponed match), it's treated as odds of 1.0 in all combinations containing it. This means those combinations still pay out, but at reduced odds. For example, a winning double containing a void selection becomes effectively a single bet.
Are system bets better than accumulators?
It depends on your strategy. System bets provide more consistent returns because you can profit even with losers, but they cost more. Accumulators offer higher returns per pound staked but are all-or-nothing. If you typically get 70-80% of your selections right, system bets will likely produce better long-term profits. If you're betting small for big returns, accumulators are more suitable.
Can I place a system bet on football matches?
Yes, system bets work with any sport or market. Football match results, both teams to score, over/under goals - any selections with fixed odds can be combined into a system bet. They're especially useful for Saturday 3pm Premier League fixtures where you might fancy 4-6 results but know one or two might not come in.