What is a multiple bet?

In simple terms, a multiple bet is a win or each-way bet on two or more selections, in two or more separate events, to a single stake or consistent unit stakes. The simplest form of multiple bet involves two selections and is known, unsurprisingly, as a ‘double’. Consider, for example, a winning £1 win double on selections priced at 2/1 and 3/1 respectively. The first ‘leg’ of the double yields £3 (£2 profit plus the original £1 stake) which becomes the stake for the second leg. The second leg yields £12 (£9 profit plus the £3) stake, which is the total return for the bet, at combined odds of 11/1.

The same principle applies to a ‘treble’, which involves three selections, and an ‘accumulator’, which involves four or more selections. Of course, for three or more selections, it is possible to place a combination bet, which covers all the doubles, trebles and accumulators available. The well-known ‘Yankee’ bet, for example, involves four selections combined in six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold accumulator for a total of 11 bets, and thus 11 stakes, in all.

For ambitious punters, various combination bets, such as the ‘Canadian’ or ‘Super Yankee’, involving five selections, the ‘Heinz’, involving six, the ‘Super Heinz’ involving seven, and so on are available. In any of these combination bets, punters require two or more selections to win (or at least to finish placed, in the case of an each-way bet) to produce a return.