This Yankee calculator works out your returns on a Yankee before you place it. Enter the odds for four selections, set each as a winner or a loser and see the total stake, return and profit. You can switch to a Lucky 15, Canadian or Heinz to compare them.
- A Yankee is 11 bets on 4 selections: 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 four-fold. There are no singles.
- The stake is per bet. A €2 Yankee costs €22, and an each-way Yankee has 22 bets.
- You need at least two winners to get anything back.
Pick Yankee in the menu, enter your four prices and set the results. The bet-by-bet breakdown shows where your return comes from.
What is a Yankee bet?
A Yankee is a full-cover bet on four selections in different events. It places 11 bets that cover every combination of two, three and four selections: six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold accumulator. Because there are no singles, one winner returns nothing, and you need at least two winners for a return.
How many bets are in a Yankee?
The 11 bets are the combinations of four selections taken two, three and four at a time: 6 + 4 + 1 = 11. Each is staked separately, so the total stake is 11 times your unit stake.
| Bet | Selections | Bets | Singles | Doubles | Trebles | Four-folds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yankee | 4 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Lucky 15 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Canadian | 5 | 26 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 5 four-folds, 1 five-fold |
| Heinz | 6 | 57 | 0 | 15 | 20 | 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds, 1 six-fold |
Worked example: a €2 Yankee
Four selections at evens (2.0), 2/1 (3.0), 6/4 (2.5) and 3/1 (4.0), with €2 on each of the 11 bets, so a total stake of €22.
If all four win, the six doubles pay 48.5 in decimal terms, the four trebles pay 89 and the four-fold pays 60, which totals 197.5. Multiplied by €2, the return is €395, a profit of €373.
If the first three win and the fourth loses, only the three doubles and the one treble involving winners pay: 18.5 + 15 = 33.5, which is €67, a profit of €45. If only the first two win, just their double pays: 6 × €2 = €12, which is less than the €22 staked, so you are €10 down.
How many winners do you need in a Yankee?
You need at least two winners for any return, because the smallest bet is a double. Whether two winners make a profit depends on the odds, since the return must beat the full stake of 11 units. With short prices two winners usually lose money overall, and three or four winners are where a Yankee pays well.
Yankee or Lucky 15?
A Lucky 15 is a Yankee with four extra single bets, so it pays when just one selection wins but costs 15 units instead of 11. The Yankee is cheaper per unit stake but needs two winners. Use our Lucky 15 calculator to compare the same four selections under both.
Each-way Yankee
An each-way Yankee doubles the bets to 22, with one win part and one place part for each. The total stake is double. Our each way calculator and each-way guide explain how the place terms work.
Where Yankees are used
Yankees are popular on horse racing and football. For racing context see the horse racing betting guide and the guides to Cheltenham and the Grand National, and for football the football betting guide. Our bet types guide explains how it compares with other bets.
What this calculator leaves out
This calculator is a guide only. It does not apply Rule 4 deductions, dead heats, bonuses, boosts, early-payout offers or bet builders, and bookmakers can round or settle slightly differently. Check your slip and the bookmaker’s terms before you rely on a figure. Our bet calculator has a section on Rule 4 and dead heats.
Related guides
- Bet calculator
- Lucky 15 calculator
- Trixie calculator
- Lucky 31 calculator
- Accumulator calculator
- Bet types explained
- How betting odds work
Frequently asked questions
How many bets are in a Yankee?
Eleven: six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold on four selections.
How much does a Yankee cost?
The stake is per bet, so a €1 Yankee costs €11 and a €2 Yankee costs €22. An each-way Yankee has 22 bets and costs double.
How many winners do you need in a Yankee?
At least two, because the smallest bet in a Yankee is a double. A profit usually needs more, depending on the odds.
What is the difference between a Yankee and a Lucky 15?
A Lucky 15 adds four single bets to a Yankee, making 15 bets. It pays when only one selection wins, but costs more.
Does a Yankee include singles?
No. A Yankee has no singles. If you want singles included, use a Lucky 15.
Sources and further reading
- GamblingCare.ie – free, confidential gambling support in Ireland
18+. Please play responsibly, gamblingcare.ie. This guide is independent editorial opinion; it is not a guarantee, endorsement or financial advice, and does not imply any affiliate or commercial relationship with any operator named.
Last updated 27 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.
