Everything you need to know about accumulator betting
What is an accumulator bet?
An accumulator is a bet which combines two or more selections into one single wager. In order to win an accumulator bet, each individual selection must win.
Sports betting accumulators are extremely popular amongst bettors as they offer the possibility of much higher returns compared to collective single bets. However, as you probably already know, with higher return comes higher risk – just one losing selection in your accumulator means the whole wager is lost.
You can build an accumulator bet using events from most top sports at the best online bookies, combining fixtures across different match days and even crossing over to different sports. What’s generally not allowed at a number of sportsbooks, however, is choosing multiple selections from the same event. These bets can instead be placed using special custom markets such as PaddyPower’s #WhatOddsPaddy and Ladbrokes’ #GetAPrice, where customers can request odds on same game multiples, amongst other markets, using Twitter.
Doubles, trebles and beyond
You’ll find that there isn’t much to take note of when it comes to types of standard accumulator bets. The only variable here is the number of selections. To begin with, accumulators with only two or three selections are known as ‘double’ and ‘treble’ respectively. While the returns on these are relatively modest in comparison to a huge accumulator with 10 or more selections, they’re both simple, solid options to add your betslip. While combining multiple selections could give you a tidy odds boost, having just two or three selections means you’re mathematically more likely to win, as there are less possible outcomes.
Once you progress beyond three selections, a bet with four selections is known as a 4-fold accumulator, while a bet with five selections is a 5-fold accumulator and so on. To limit any potential losses, most bookies impose their own cap on the number of legs you can add to your accumulator.
How to calculate the odds of an accumulator bet
When betting online, your accumulator odds are virtually always calculated for you. As soon as you add two selections to your betslip, the option to place a ‘double’ bet will appear. More options will become available as and when you add more selections.
If you ever need to work out the odds yourself, or simply want to know how your accumulator odds are calculated, all you need to do is multiply the prices of your selections in their decimal format.
Here’s an example of a four-fold accumulator:
- Southampton @ 3.0 to beat Huddersfield
- Liverpool @ 2.0 to beat Watford
- Manchester and Arsenal to draw @ 4.0
- Norwich @ 2.0 to beat Ipswich
To calculate the price you can expect for your accumulator selections, simply multiply the decimal odds.
3.0 x 2.0 x 4.0 x 2.0 = 48.0
So, a winning £5 accumulator bet would result in £240 earnings including your original stake.
Each way betting
If you fancy a flutter on the races and don’t want to be let down by an unfortunate photo finish, then an each way bet is definitely worth a shot. An each way bet is essentially two bets – one for your selection win and another for your selection to place. Each bet is an equal stake, so a £5 each way bet, for example, will have £5 on your selection to win the event and £5 on your selection to finish either first, or in one of many places, such as 2nd, 4rd and 4th.
Whether you’re betting on horse racing, greyhounds or even the outright football markets, you’ll receive a full payout if your pick wins, and a fraction of this payout if your pick places. Different bookies will pay out on a different number of places, so be sure to check out the terms and conditions of each way betting at your chosen bookie before you add to your betslip.
You can place an each way accumulator, too. Here, you’re still placing two bets – one for all of your selections to win and one for all of your picks to place. If one of your picks does neither, the bet is lost.
Accumulator betting bonuses and promotions
Acca Insurance
How many times have you been just one result away from landing a huge accumulator win? Bookies have given punters some room for error with their generous ‘acca insurance’ offers. These promotions see betting sites pay out on winning accumulators as well as those with one incorrect selection.
This promotion isn’t always available on every market and is usually offered on five-fold accumulators and above, but is a great safety net to fall back on should your accumulator fall short. With a typical insurance offer, you’ll receive your stake back as a free bet token.
Accumulator bonus
A number of top bookies also offer bonuses on winning accumulators. This is usually referred to as an acca bonus or parlay bonus. The concept is simple – the more selections you include in your accumulator, the more your bookie will add on in bonus funds. Bet365 are well known for their football acca bonus promo, which sees treble bettors rewarded with a 5% bonus and 13-folds boosted by a whopping 90% bonus.
Enhanced accumulators
If you don’t fancy building your own accumulator, you’ll often find that the biggest and best bookies do the legwork for you. Enhanced accumulators are offered on a daily basis at some bookies. This offer sees the bookies pick out an accumulator for you at a higher price than originally offered. All that’s left for you to do is decide whether or not you fancy a flutter.
Ready to place an accumulator bet?
Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know before you place an accumulator bet, you’re probably ready to start adding to your betslip. Looking for the best bonuses, promotions and odds available online? Our featured licensed bookies have it all – all you need to do is compare, pick out your favourite and place your bets.
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