An accumulator bet is a combination of at least four selections united in a single wager. The punter gains a profit only if all selections win. In case one of them loses, no profit is registered. Accumulator bets, also known as parlay bets or acca, provide players with the chance to generate higher winnings at the expense of increased risk.
You can place an accumulator bet in different sports, although each bookmaker sets its own rules for combining selections that form an accumulator bet. Since players are not allowed to place more than one bet on the same runner, selections from the same event cannot form a single accumulator bet.
Accumulator bets put players in an “all or nothing situation”. If one selection loses, the entire bet is lost. Yet, some punters try to minimize the risk by placing bets on the folds, which gives them a chance to gain a profit even if one of the selections fails. If a player places a 6-fold accumulator as well as a stake in 6 5-fold accumulators, the risk of considerable losses is minimized.
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The term “accumulator” itself means you place a single bet that includes at least four selections. What makes the accumulator bets stand out from the rest is that you get no profit if one of the selections does not come true.
Accumulator betting has gained incredible popularity in the UK and it is mainly used by football fans. The combination of four selections also means that the odds are combined, which enhances your chances of turning a great profit.
Another reason for accumulator bets popularity is the fact that they can turn unimportant sports events into a source of a significant profit as they give you the chance to wager simultaneously on several events kicking off at the same time.
At a first glance, it seems complicated to calculate the accumulator bet odds. Probably the easiest approach you can apply is to imagine that every leg pays out and you are supposed to wager the winnings on the next part (or leg) of your bet.
Example: Let’s presume you place £10 on the following selections:
- Everton to defeat Aston Villa at 3/1
- Chelsea to lose to Tottenham at 4/1
- Man United to defeat Man City at 3/1
- Arsenal to lose to West Ham at 7/2
In order to register winnings, all four selections need to come in. In this case, winnings are calculated as follows:
Your bet on Everton vs Aston Villa brings you a total of £40. You return your initial £10 stake and turn a £30 profit. Then, you place the £40 on the match between Tottenham and Chelsea and you receive a payout of £200. This means you turn a £160 profit and get your £40 stake back.
The £200 becomes your stake on the clash between Man United and Man City, which brings you a total of £800. You get your £200 stake back and turn a £600 profit. Last but not least, you bet £800 on the game between Arsenal and West Ham and the initial stake of £10 immediately turns into a sizeable payout of £3600. The more selections you include in your accumulator bet, the higher your winning potential is. However, you have to keep in mind that you will have quite a large stake for the last selection included in the accumulator bet and there is a risk of losing all your winnings.
Types of Accumulator Bets
According to bookmakers’ statistics, double, treble, fourfold, fivefold, sixfold and sevenfold accumulators are the most widespread ones. They all act on the same principle. You have to place a single bet on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 different selections, respectively. As already mentioned, all of them must win for a return. You can also check out the rest of the accumulator bets you can take advantage of:
Trixie
The trixie accumulator bet requires you to place a bet on three different selections, made up of four separate bets such as a treble and four doubles. You win if at least two of the selections (one of the doubles) are successful.
Patent
The patent is a wager on three selections that includes seven separate bets (three singles, three doubles and a treble). You are guaranteed a profit if one of the selections is successful.
Yankee
Yankee includes four selections made up of 11 different bets such as four trebles, six doubles as well as a fourfold bet. You gain a profit if at least two of the selections win.
Lucky 15
Lucky 15 consists of four selections made up of 15 different bets – four singles, four trebles, six doubles and a fourfold. You get a return if at least one of the selections is successful.
Super yankee
Super yankee is a wager that involves 26 separate bets combined in five selections – 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five fourfold and a fivefold accumulator. If at least one of the double bets is a winning one, you get a return.
Lucky 31
Lucky 31 requires you to wager on five selections consisting of 31 different bets: 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five fourfolds, one fivefold and five singles. You generate profits if at least one of your selections wins.
Heinz
Heinz includes 57 different bets combined in six selections – 15 doubles, 15 fourfolds, 20 trebles, six fivefolds and one sixfold accumulator. In order to gain a return, at least two selections must win.
Super Heinz
Super Heinz includes wagering on seven selections consisting of a total of 120 bets – 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 fivefolds and 21 doubles. You must meet the required minimum of two winning selections in order to gain a return.
Lucky 63
Lucky 63 consists of six selections and 63 separate bets. You are given a return even if only one of your selections wins.
Goliath
Goliath is a wager of eight selections consisting of 247 different bets. The required minimum is of two winning selections has to be met otherwise no return is gained.
Straight forecast
Straight forecast is a wager on two selections in one race. Your selections must finish 1st and 2nd in the order you have set.
Reversed forecast
The reversed forecast also includes two selections in one race and they have to finish 1st and 2nd regardless of the order.
Combination forecasts
Combination forecast includes at least three selections in a race. Any two of your selections must finish 1st and 2nd.
Straight tricasts
Straight tricasts involve 3 selections in a race. They have to finish on 1st, 2nd and 3rd position in the order you set.
Combination tricasts
Combination tricasts require you to wager on at least three selections in a race. Your favourites must finish in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place regardless of the order.
Each-way accumulators and non-runners
Non-runners means that in case the sports event was cancelled due to a bad weather or any other reason, the relevant selection is removed and the odds of your accumulator bet are adjusted. In other words, your bet still stands but a certain selection is removed from your accumulator. For example, if you have a six-fold selection, in case of a non-runner, it becomes a five-fold and the odds are adjusted accordingly.
Each-way accumulators are considered a great technique for enhancing your chances of turning a good profit although they reduce the total amount you can possibly win.
They include two bets and you are going to capture the overall amount in case both bets come true.
Pros and Cons of Accumulator Betting
Accumulator bets have their fans and opponents and both sides draw arguments for and against using an accumulator betting strategy. Speaking of its advantages, accumulator bets enable you to wager a small amount and turn it into a considerable return. Some accumulators expose your bet to a very little risk of losing your return. Once you get familiar with the betting technique, you can ensure regular profits. Combination bets enable you to minimize the risk of losing a substantial amount of money as it covers several possible outcomes.
As for the disadvantages that go along with the parlay bet, there are several factors worthy of mentioning. As you have already presumed, all bets included in your selection have to be successful otherwise the parlay falls apart. In addition, some players are likely to place unrealistic accumulators, which results in huge disappointments and financial loss. People with knowledge on the matter claim that it is impossible to make a steady profit by placing accumulator bets and they tend to exclude them from their regular betting. Of course, if you are confident about the outcome of certain sports events, you should not miss the opportunity to place an accumulator bet and get incredible rewards.
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