Types of Horse Racing Bets

Bet Types at a Glance

The table below summarises every major horse racing bet type, the number of selections required, and the total number of individual bets placed. Remember that your total outlay is the number of bets multiplied by your unit stake.

Singles

A single is the most basic bet in horse racing — you back one horse to win one race. If it wins, you are paid out at the agreed odds. If it loses, you lose your stake. Singles are the bread and butter of professional betting because you only need one outcome to go your way. The simplicity means there is no compounding of probabilities working against you, which is why serious punters with a genuine edge tend to favour singles over multiples.

Doubles and Trebles

A double combines two selections into one bet — both must win for the bet to pay out. The winnings from the first selection roll onto the second as the stake, so the returns can be substantial. A treble extends this to three selections, with all three needing to win. These are straightforward multiples that most punters are familiar with, and they offer a good balance between increased returns and manageable risk compared to larger accumulators.

Trixie and Patent

Both the Trixie and Patent involve three selections, but they differ in structure. A Trixie consists of four bets: three doubles and one treble. You need at least two of your three selections to win to get any return. A Patent consists of seven bets: three singles, three doubles, and one treble. Because the Patent includes singles, you get a return if even one selection wins, making it a safer option. The Patent costs nearly twice as much as the Trixie in total stake, but the safety net of the singles can be worthwhile, especially when backing selections at longer odds.

Yankee and Lucky 15

Moving up to four selections, a Yankee consists of 11 bets: six doubles, four trebles, and one fourfold accumulator. At least two selections must win for any return. The Lucky 15 adds four singles to the Yankee structure, making 15 bets in total. The Lucky 15 is one of the most popular bet types in horse racing because many bookmakers offer bonuses: typically double the odds if only one selection wins, and a percentage bonus (often 10-20%) if all four selections win. These promotions can significantly enhance returns.

Lucky 31 and Lucky 63

A Lucky 31 involves five selections and 31 bets (5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds, 1 fivefold). A Lucky 63 involves six selections and 63 bets (6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds, 1 sixfold). Both include singles and typically qualify for bookmaker bonuses similar to the Lucky 15. These are substantial bets in terms of total outlay — a Lucky 63 at just one pound per bet costs sixty-three pounds — but when multiple selections win at decent odds, the returns can be life-changing.

Heinz

Named after the "57 varieties" slogan, a Heinz requires six selections and consists of 57 bets: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds, and 1 sixfold accumulator. Unlike the Lucky 63 which also uses six selections, the Heinz does not include singles, so you need at least two selections to win to see any return. The Heinz is popular with punters who want comprehensive coverage of their six best fancies without the additional cost of singles.

Accumulators

An accumulator (or "acca") links four or more selections into a single bet where the winnings from each selection roll onto the next. All selections must win for the bet to pay out. The appeal of accumulators is the potential for enormous returns from a small stake — backing four 3/1 winners in a fourfold accumulator returns 255 pounds from a one-pound stake. However, the more legs you add, the harder it becomes to win. Statistics show that the vast majority of accumulators with five or more legs lose, which is why bookmakers actively promote them. For more on this, see our accumulator betting guide.

Each Way Bets

An each way bet is effectively two bets in one: a win bet and a place bet. If your horse wins, both parts pay out. If it finishes in a place position (usually second, third, or sometimes fourth depending on the number of runners), only the place part pays at a fraction of the win odds. Each way betting is particularly popular in big-field handicaps where the winning chances of any individual horse are small but the place chances are reasonable. The place terms vary by field size and race type — for full details see our each way betting guide.

Choosing the Right Bet Type

The best bet type depends on your goals, bankroll, and how many strong selections you have. If you have one high-confidence selection, a single (or each way single) is almost always the best choice. If you have two or three strong fancies, a Patent or Lucky 15 gives you coverage across multiples while protecting your stake with singles. If you are looking for entertainment value and big returns from small stakes, accumulators fit the bill — just be aware that the odds are heavily against you. Whatever bet type you choose, always know your total outlay before placing the bet, and never stake more than you can afford to lose.