Bet types explained: most bookmakers offer the same handful of bets, and knowing the difference between a single, an accumulator, a Yankee and a bet builder helps you see what you are paying for. This guide explains each bet type in plain English, with worked examples in euro, the number of bets in each combination bet, and the pros and cons of each. Use our bet calculator to work out returns on your own selections.
- A single is one selection, an accumulator combines several and needs every one to win, and an each-way bet is two equal bets, one to win and one to place.
- Combination bets such as a Trixie, Yankee or Lucky 15 split your stake across many bets, so some pay out even if not every selection wins.
- A bet builder combines outcomes from the same match, and the price includes a bigger margin than a single.
- More selections mean bigger potential returns but a lower chance that everything wins.
Bet types at a glance
| Bet type | Selections | What has to happen | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 1 | Your one selection wins | €10 on a 2.00 shot returns €20 |
| Double, treble, accumulator | 2+ | Every selection must win, and the odds multiply together | 3 winners at 2.00 each = 8.00 total odds |
| Each-way | 1 (split in two) | Win part needs victory, place part needs a top finish | €5 each-way costs €10 in total |
| Bet builder | 2+ (same match) | All selected outcomes in that match must land | Team to win and both teams to score |
| Handicap | 1 | Adjusted result once the head start or deficit is applied | Team A (-1) must win by 2+ goals |
| Over/under | 1 | A total finishes above or below the line | Over 2.5 goals needs 3+ scored |
| Cash out | Varies | You settle early at the bookmaker’s offered price | Lock in profit before the final whistle |
Single
One selection, one result. If it wins, you are paid at its odds. It is the simplest bet and the easiest to understand. A €10 single at 3/1 returns €40 in total if it wins and nothing if it loses. Singles carry the lowest margin and are the easiest way to control risk.
Double, treble and accumulator
An accumulator combines several selections into one bet. Every selection must win for the bet to pay out, and the odds are multiplied together. A double has two selections, a treble three, and so on. Returns can be large, but one loser sinks the whole bet. For example, three selections at 2.00, 3.00 and 1.50 multiply to 9.00, so a €10 accumulator returns €90 if all three win. If one of them loses, you lose the €10. Our bet calculator shows the maths.
Combination (full cover) bets
A combination bet splits your stake across several linked bets from the same selections, so you can still win something if not every selection wins. A €1 Lucky 15 costs €15 because it is 15 separate €1 bets. The table shows the number of bets in the common types. The Lucky 15 calculator shows the cost and returns.
| Bet | Selections | Number of bets | What it contains |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 plus the Yankee bets |
| Canadian (Super Yankee) | 5 | 26 | 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds and 1 fivefold |
| Lucky 31 | 5 | 31 | 5 singles plus the Canadian bets |
| Heinz | 6 | 57 | 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds and 1 sixfold |
| Super Heinz | 7 | 120 | Every combination of two or more of 7 selections |
| Goliath | 8 | 247 | Every combination of two or more of 8 selections |
A worked Trixie example
You stake €2 per bet on a Trixie with three selections, each at 2/1 (3.00 in decimal). The total stake is €8 for four bets. If all three win, each double returns €18 (2 × 3.00 × 3.00), so three doubles return €54, and the treble returns €54 (2 × 27.00), giving €108 in total. If only two win, one double wins, returning €18 on an €8 stake, which is a €10 profit. If only one wins, nothing returns in a Trixie because it has no single bets, which is the key difference from a Patent or Lucky 15. Try your own prices in the Trixie calculator or Patent calculator.
Each-way
Common in racing and golf. An each-way bet is two bets of equal stake: one on the selection to win and one to place. The place part pays a fraction of the odds (often a quarter or a fifth) if the selection finishes in the places, which vary by race or event. A €5 each-way bet costs €10 in total. Our each way calculator works out both parts, and our guide to best odds guaranteed and each-way betting covers the terms.
Forecast, tricast and reverse bets
A forecast asks you to pick the first two finishers in a race in the correct order, and a tricast the first three. A reverse forecast covers both orders for two selections and costs two bets, and a combination tricast covers every order for three selections and costs six. They are mostly used in racing and greyhound racing, and the payout depends on the starting prices of the horses, or a computer forecast, so the return is not known in advance.
Bet builder
A bet builder lets you combine several outcomes from the same match, for example a team to win and a player to score. All parts must land. It is popular in football, but the price includes a bigger margin than a single, and the outcomes are often linked, so the true chance is not simply the odds multiplied together. Read the terms for how void legs are treated.
Handicap, over/under and other football markets
A handicap gives one side a head start or deficit. Over/under bets are on whether a total, such as goals or points, ends above or below a line. Other common football markets include double chance (a win or draw for one team), draw no bet (your stake is returned if the match is drawn), both teams to score, and correct score. Our football betting guide explains them in more detail.
Cash out
Cash out lets you settle a bet before it finishes for a price the bookmaker offers. It can lock in a profit or limit a loss, but the price includes the bookmaker’s margin, and it is not always available, particularly close to the end of an event. Our Betfair Ireland review shows how cash out on its sportsbook differs from closing a position on its betting exchange.
Which bet type is right for you?
- New to betting. Start with singles and a small stake, so you can see how prices and returns work.
- Want a bigger return for a small stake. An accumulator pays more but needs everything to win, so keep it to a few selections.
- Want cover. A Patent, Yankee or Lucky 15 (see the Yankee calculator and Lucky 31 calculator) pays out if some selections win, but costs more because of the extra bets.
- Like a single match. A bet builder is entertaining but carries a higher margin, so keep stakes small.
Whichever you use, stick to a stake you can afford to lose and check the rules of each market with the bookmaker. Ready to put this into practice? Our beginner’s guide to placing a bet walks through a first bet step by step, with worked euro examples. Ready to compare? See our betting sites in Ireland or read about responsible gambling.
Related guides
- How betting odds work
- Bet calculator
- Lucky 15 calculator
- Each-way calculator
- How to place a bet
- Football betting guide for Ireland
Frequently asked questions
What is an accumulator?
An accumulator (or “acca”) combines several selections into a single bet, with the odds multiplied together. Every selection has to win for the bet to pay out, so one loser means the whole accumulator loses.
How does each-way betting work?
An each-way bet splits your stake into two equal parts: one bet on your selection to win, and one on it to finish in the places. The place part pays a fraction of the win odds, commonly a quarter or a fifth, depending on the event.
What is a bet builder?
A bet builder lets you combine multiple outcomes from a single match into one bet, such as a team to win and a specific player to score. All parts need to come in, and the odds usually carry a bigger bookmaker margin than separate single bets.
Can I cash out any bet?
No. Cash out is offered at the bookmaker’s discretion on eligible markets and is not always available, particularly close to an event finishing or on certain bet types.
What’s the difference between a handicap and an over/under bet?
A handicap adjusts the result by giving one side a head start or deficit before settling the bet, while an over/under bet is purely about whether a total, such as goals or points, finishes above or below a set line.
How many bets are in a Lucky 15?
Fifteen: four singles, six doubles, four trebles and one fourfold, from four selections. A €1 Lucky 15 therefore costs €15.
Sources and further reading
- Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – the regulator for gambling in Ireland
- GamblingCare.ie – free, confidential support
18+. Please play responsibly, gamblingcare.ie. This guide is independent editorial opinion; it is not a guarantee, endorsement or financial advice, and PunterIreland may earn a commission if you join an operator through our links.
Last updated 10 October 2026. Written and checked by the Punter Ireland editorial team. Offers, odds and rules change, so always check the operator’s own terms and the official sources above.
