The Ins and Outs of 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 returns come 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 sportsbooks, 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.
That said, several sportsbooks have now introduced ‘Bet Builder’ tools that are specific to this purpose. By using Bet Builder, you can create an accumulator using up to six or seven markets from the same match. However, only selected sports and events are available at this time. Check out our list of Canada’s top-rated accumulator betting sites to see which brands have this feature.
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 a ‘double’ and a ‘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 wager slip. 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 betting sites 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:
- Toronto Raptors @ 3.0 to beat LA Lakers
- Vancouver Whitecaps @ 2.0 to beat New York Red Bulls
- Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leags to tie @ 4.0
- Toronto Blue Jays @ 2.0 to beat Tampa Bay Rays
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 returns of $240, including your original stake.
Each way betting
If you want to wager on the horse racing and don’t want to be let down by an unfortunate photo finish, then an each way bet is 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, 3rd 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 sportsbooks 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 betting site before you add to your bet slip.
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
Accumulator Insurance
How many times have you been just one result away from landing a huge accumulator win? Some sportsbooks have given bettors a little room for error with their generous ‘accumulator insurance’ offers. These promotions see top 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 it’s 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 Bonuses
A number of top bookmakers also offer bonuses on winning accumulators. This is usually referred to as an accumulator bonus or parlay bonus. The concept is simple – the more selections you include in your accumulator, the more your bookmaker will add on in bonus funds.
Enhanced Accumulators
If you don’t fancy building your own accumulator, you’ll often find that the biggest and best sportsbooks do the legwork for you. Enhanced accumulators are offered on a daily basis at some betting sites. 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 wager.
Edit Bets In-Play
Some operators offer players the chance to edit their accumulators in play. This means you can add, change, or remove wagers from your accumulator for unsettled selections, with the stake of your new bet usually being equal to its current cash out value. Operators that allow players to edit their accumulators in play have varying rules and available markets for the feature, so it’s best to check the terms and conditions before settling on an operator that offers it.
Welcome Bonuses
Once you’ve signed up to a new site, you might be wondering if your welcome bonus can be used for accumulators. Generally speaking, you will be able to wager your welcome bonus funds in combination with accumulators. That being said, it’s important to check the terms and conditions for your welcome bonus when figuring out which one suits you best.
Aside from whether or not your bonus funds are eligible for accumulators, sites often place additional rules on wagering requirements that might make wagering your bonus on accumulators an inefficient way to unlock withdrawals. If your chosen site includes accumulators as a way to chip at your wagering requirements, be sure to check what percentage of your wagers will be factored in. Using your bonus funds may also make you ineligible for other accumulator bonuses, such as boosts and parlay insurance, so be sure you know the finer points of your operator’s terms and conditions before getting started.
Set Your Accas Up on the Go
Mobile functionality is a necessity for the best betting sites, and every operator reviewed and ranked here comes loaded with a mobile-optimized site and/or a dedicated smartphone app. Such sites and apps have huge advantages over traditional sites for mobile play, including a streamlined and optimized interface, improved visibility and graphical quality, and the ability to place, check and edit your accumulators on the move.
Take a look at the best welcome offers, promotions, market availability, and apps in our exhaustive listings. Once you’ve signed up to the best fit for you, rest assured you can keep track of your accumulators at home, at a match, at the bar, or wherever else the urge takes you.
Take Advantage of Great Incentives
You might expect to find the most generous welcome bonuses, promotions, and incentives with the industry’s established heavyweights, but often it’s the new kids on the block sending out the brightest calls for new customers. Such sites and operators pop up regularly, each vying for your membership and loyalty, so be sure to keep them in the equation when deciding where to place your first deposit. Once you’ve signed up, new sites are prone to keeping you around with valuable incentives, loyalty bonuses, and VIP sections. Why not take a look at our extensive rankings of the best new sites around, and take a chance on something fresh?
Pros and Cons of New Betting Sites
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 bet slip. Looking for the best bonuses, promotions and odds available online? Our featured licensed betting sites have got you covered. Compare the best sites around, find the best fit for you, sign up for your welcome bonus, and start building your accumulators today!
