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WHAT IS A MULTIPLE BET?

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A 'Mutiple' bet is simpy a bet that consists of more than one selection, often with the horses all required to win, though you can also back an each-way multiple or a place multiple.

Bettors looking to place ambitious wagers that could reap very high rewards should consider multiple bets as a potential option. There are a number of different kinds of multiple bets, but they are all variations on the same basic idea: that bettors make several selections at the same time and, in some cases, each and every one must win in order for the bettor to secure a return. 

As such, multiple bets can be very difficult to secure a return from. Bettors who are to be successful with multiple bets should be very knowledgeable about the sport they are betting on and the competitors who are participating. If they are not, they risk losing their stake because in some multiple bets, even one single failed selection can mean that the whole multiple bet loses. 

Despite this, multiple betting is a very popular form of betting and bookmakers such as Betfair and Paddy Power offer plenty of options to place them. The reason for this is that it can often result in greater returns than other forms of betting, particularly single bets. For example, a three-pronged multiple bet (commonly called a treble) will return greater winnings than three single bets because the odds are multiplied.

MULTIPLE BETS
The number of selections that can be made under the terms of a multiple bet vary greatly. Bettors can have a multiple bet comprised of just two selections (for example, Manchester United and Manchester City) or more. A two-selection multiple bet is known as a double. A three-selection multiple bet is known as a treble. Multiple bets that are made up of four or more selections are accumulators (or 'accas' as this term is sometimes abbreviated to). There are also yankees and Super 15s, which are just different terms for accumulators and are comprised of four selections each. 

The odds a bettor will be given differ dramatically if they are placing a multiple bet rather than multiple single bets. For example, a bettor may be interested in placing a double on two football matches: Arsenal v Chelsea and Tottenham v Liverpool. The odds for Arsenal beating Chelsea are 7/1 and the odds for Tottenham beating Liverpool are 4/1. Two successful single bets with a stake of £2 each on these two games would result in a return of £26: £14 plus the £2 stake for the first bet (making £16 in total) and £8 plus the £2 stake for the second (making £10 in total).

A bettor placing a double would stand to gain much more money than one placing two single bets. This is because the odds are bundled together, and there are two potential ways to explain how this happens. Firstly, the winnings from each bet rolls into the next one, creating a cumulative effect that results in more money for the person making the bet. This means that the £16 won from the bet on Arsenal beating Chelsea would then be staked on the second bet of Tottenham beating Liverpool. This results in a return of £80. 

Another way to state it is that the odds are improved by a point each and then multiplied. For example, the odds on the Arsenal v Chelsea match go up to 8/1 from 7/1 and the Tottenham v Liverpool match goes up to 5/1 from 4/1. 8 and 5 are then multiplied to result in 40. So, the bet becomes 39/1 (39+1=40) on a double of Arsenal beating Chelsea and Tottenham beating Liverpool. If a bettor were to place the same £2 stake on this double, they would receive £80 in return (£78 in profit, plus the £2 stake). 

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If the bettor were to place a treble, the same scenario would take place but with three selections, three bets and three times odds instead of two. Perhaps the bets in question are placed on Manchester United to beat Cardiff City, Manchester City to beat Everton and Watford to beat Newcastle. The odds on these three results happening are 2/1, 3/1 and 4/1 respectively. A point is added to each of those bets, so they become 3/1, 4/1 and 5/1 respectively and the figures are multiplied, so the three bets become one bet at 59/1. With a £2 stake, the winnings are £120: £118 of profit, plus the original £2 stake.

OTHER KINDS OF MULTIPLE BETS
As mentioned, there are a number of multiple bets beyond the double and the treble. Three of the most common are listed below.

A trixie bet: This kind of bet represents four separate bets from three selections. It is essentially comprised of three doubles and one treble bundled together. One double would be on Manchester United and Manchester City to win, another would be on Manchester City and Watford to win and the final one would be on Manchester United and Watford to win. The treble, of course, would be on all three to win. 

A yankee bet: This kind of bet represents 11 separate bets from four selections. It is essentially comprised of six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold accumulator rolled into one. In this scenario, a fourth match is added to the bet (Huddersfield v West Ham) and the bettor is backing West Ham for the win. The betting is broken down as such: 

Six doubles:

Manchester United and Manchester City to win
Manchester United and Watford to win
Manchester United and West Ham to win
Manchester City and Watford to win
Manchester City and West Ham to win
Watford and West Ham to win
Four trebles:

Manchester United, Manchester City and Watford to win
Manchester United, Manchester City and West Ham to win
Manchester United, Watford and West Ham to win
Manchester City, Watford and West Ham to win
One four-fold accumulator:

Manchester United, Manchester City, Watford and West Ham to win
If two or more of these selections win then the bettor makes a return. The more selections that come in, the more the winnings.

Lucky 15: This kind of bet is the biggest and most complicated kind of multiple bet that is commonly available. It is very similar to a Yankee, but along with the six doubles, four trebles and the four-fold accumulator, there are also a further four single bets to make the 15 bets. This means that the bettor could also bet on just Manchester United to win, just Manchester City to win, just Watford to win and just West Ham to win. 

The bet is called ‘Lucky’ because bonuses are paid out by bookmakers depending on the result. These typically come in the form of an all-winner bonus.

Multiple bets are not easy to understand or win, and it's important for bettors who are considering this kind of bet to be knowledgeable and prepared. However, those bold enough to put a multiple bet on stand to have their efforts richly rewarded with a high pay out.

Plus, don't forget to check out our bet calculator, where you can calculate your winnings.