Multiples and Combinations
Multiples, also known as Accumulators or Parlays, are bets based on a series of two or more predictions, whereby it is necessary for all of the predictions to be correct in order for the bet to pay out. In effect, the return from one successful prediction is carried over as the stake for the second prediction, and so on if you have made more than two predictions. The level of the payout is normally calculated by multiplying the (decimal) odds together.
It is worth noting that the outcomes predicted may be on events that take place simultaneously or at different points in time, provided the outcomes aren't related. It would be perfectly acceptable to place a Multiple on a selection of Saturday afternoon football matches, whereas you're unlikely to find a bookmaker willing to accept a Double of correct score and match result if they're on the same match. If you correctly predict 1–0 to Chelsea then it naturally follows that Chelsea will also win the match.
Double
A Double is the simplest form of multiple bet and, as the name suggests, it is based on two predictions. You might for example place a £2 Double on (a) Tottenham to beat West Ham at Evens (2.0 decimal) and (b) Portsmouth to beat Everton at 2/1 (3.0 decimal).
In the event that both of your predictions are correct you can expect to get a return of £12 including your £2 stake. The calculation is as follows:
2.0 x 3.0 = 6.0 (based on the decimal odds)
6.0 x £2 = £12
Profit £12 – £2 = £10
If only one or neither of your predictions are correct you lose your £2 stake. Both predictions must be correct for you to win.
Treble
No prizes for guessing that a treble is based on three predictions. If we use the Double example above and add (c) Man City to beat Newcastle at 5/4 (2.25 decimal) then the potential return is now £27:
2.0 x 3.0 x 2.25 = 13.5
13.5 x £2 = £27
Profit £27 – £2 = £25
Clearly the more predictions in your Multiple, the more you stand to win but of course the chances of losing will also increase significantly. Remember, only one prediction needs to be wrong and you've lost the whole bet.
Accumulators
After a Treble comes a Quadrouple and so on but you'll probably be stuck for names after that (I had to Google to find Quintuple!) so the general term used is Accumulator: 'four–fold accumulator', 'five–fold accumulator', etc.
If you get in to the high multiple accumulators (in theory a bookie will take any number of predictions) then apart from the very high probability of failure, you should also be aware that most bookies have a maximum payout on any single bet. Let's say you predict no less than 14 football matches at average odds of 2.5 decimal. If they all come in you would turn your £2 in to almost £750,000 yet most bookies would cap the payout at £500,000, some a lot lower. A nice problem to have!
Also watch out for maximum payout if you are pooling money together on behalf of friends – often it will be more sensible with the high multiples to place your bets individually. You never know, they do come in from time to time.
Combinations
Combinations are a combination of Multiples (and sometimes Singles) that are pre–packaged by your bookie and carry a name (often silly) like Yankee or Heinz. Perhaps the simplest combination is the Trixie which comprises of four bets around three predictions (A, B and C) as follows:
Bet 1: Treble on A, B and C
Bet 2: Double on A and B
Bet 3: Double on A and C
Bet 4: Double on B and B
If you were to stake a £1 Trixie it would cost you £4 because of the four underlying bets. If all three of your predictions – A, B and C – prove to be correct, all four underlying bets would pay out, each being calculated as a separate Accumulator. But in the case of the Trixie you can afford to get one of your predictions wrong and still receive a payout. If you predict A and C correctly but get B wrong, you'll still receive payment on Bet 3.
I intend to detail a selection of the other Combination bets here in due course but it is nearly 1 am and I have an early start in the morning. Please feel free to remind me if significant time has passed since June 2006. Thanks, Steve.
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