How to Calculate Accumulator Odds

What is an Accumulator Bet?

An accumulator bet involves combining multiple bets or selections into a single wager, all selections must win for the bet to be successful. This type of multiple betting is also known as Parlay or Accumulator betting. Accumulator bets are potentially lucrative as the odds are greater therefore requiring a lower stake. However, it only takes one loss, or incorrect selection, for the bet to lose.

For example, if an accumulator bet combines head to head selections e.g. matches of Team A wins over Team B and Team C wins over Team D, then both outcomes need to win for the bet to be successful. This strategy is available and works perfectly well in popular sports like football, basketball, cricket and tennis. Accumulators are especially popular amongst punters who like betting on European soccer, where typically, there is an abundance of short odds selections.

How do Accumulators work?

Accumulator bets are popular as bettors can get long odds that can generate large winning returns. The returns are calculated in a progressive approach as the cumulative value grows with the addition of every single selection. For example, if a bettor goes for three selections in one accumulator bet (treble), then the first stake is multiplied by the odds of that first bet. Then, the total return from the first selection, including the first stake, is placed on the second selection. If the second selection also goes through, the total return from the second selection is rolled over to the third selection. If the third selection also prevails, then the bettor is guaranteed a considerable profit at the end. 

Usually, bettors are not given any payouts if any of the selections on the accumulators loses. However, some bookies may offer some returns as they please. Moreover, it is always wise to check different sportsbooks for different features and offers.

How to work out Accumulator Odds?

We may already have an idea about how a single bet generates returns. Here we compare single bets and multiple bets in an accumulator to differentiate the risks and profits between them. Odds are displayed in decimals rather than fractions. To save time, you can use an odds calculator to do the number crunching for you.

In the below table, we have four single bets with odds in decimal or whole numbers for simplicity in the calculation.

The returns from a single bet, if placed separately, can be represented as: 

Total Returns = ($10 x 3)+( $10 x 2.5) +($10 x 2)+( $10 x 1.5) =$90

Total Profit = Total Returns – Initial Stake

        = $90 – $40

        = $50

It is noteworthy that if any selection loses the match, it does not hamper others or impact other winning bets.

On the contrary, for an accumulator, the returns are depicted as below,

The returns from four single winning bets placed in an accumulator can be represented as, 

Total Returns = Initial Stake x (Team 1 odds x Team 2 odds x Team 3 odds x Team 4 odds)

          = $10 x (3 x 2.5 x 2 x 1.5)

          = $225

Total Profit  = Total Returns – Initial Stake

        = $225 – $10

        = $215

If any selection goes wrong in an accumulator, the total return is banished, implying a risk of losing every penny. However, the accumulator bet promises a tremendous win from a relatively small stake, as opposed to playing multiple individual bets, i.e., the Moneyline or Points Spread.

For an example of accumulator betting using fractions, please see this article .

What are the Types of Accumulator Odds?

Accumulator is named as it accumulates the odds of multiple selections/bets in a single wager. Although two selections (double) or three selections (treble) are counted as accumulators, selections equal to four or more are generally considered accumulators. 

Below is the list of Accumulator Odds types:

• Double
• Treble
• Four-fold Accumulator
• Five-fold Accumulator
• Six-fold Accumulator
• Seven-fold Accumulator
• Eight-fold Accumulator

Here, Four-fold, five-fold, Six-fold, Seven-fold, and Eight-fold demonstrates the number of selections in an accumulator, i.e., four selections, five selections, six selections, seven selections, and eight selections, respectively. Some people refer to them with legs or timers than folds, i.e., five-legs or five-timers. Besides, there are plenty of combinations in accumulators, such as Trixie, Yankee, Lucky 15, and lucky 31. 

System Bets: A riskfree alternative to Accumulators?

If the underlying risk of Accumulator bets overrides its challenging and flexible characteristics, one can easily opt for System bets.  It allows the bettors to receive some payout with some advanced options even if not all anticipations are correct.  For example, if you play a three out of five or 3/5 system bet, it allows you to win some profit if at least 3 of your selections win. 

There are endless combinations of System bets, such as 2/3, 2/4, 3/4, 2/5, 3/5, 4/5, 2/7, and 7/10. And, below is a winning example from a system bet of 3/4. Imagine you set your stakes on Team A (2.0), Team B (2.1), Team C (2.3), and Team D (2.1). While only Team A, B, C wins, D being the only loser. 

Hence, Total profit from the 3/4 System Bet = (Initial Stake – Total returns) =$136-$40 = $96.3

System Bets are complicated but can be a worthwhile option for the experienced sports bettor. However, for beginnerss, it is always safer to start with two-way or three-way Moneyline bets.