Accumulator betting, commonly known as an “acca,” is a popular way for bettors to combine multiple selections from various sports and markets into a single wager. It’s particularly favored by seasoned punters, especially on busy sports days like Saturdays during the football season. If you’re new to this type of betting, here’s everything you need to know about accumulator bets.
What is an Accumulator Bet?
An accumulator bet allows you to combine multiple selections from different events or markets into one bet. The main attraction of an acca bet is that it can yield high rewards from a relatively small stake, provided all your selections win. However, the more selections you include, the harder it becomes to win, as even one losing selection will cause the entire bet to fail.
How Does an Acca Bet Work?
Acca betting involves choosing multiple markets, which increases the odds and potential payout. For instance, you can combine multiple football matches into a single bet. The more selections you add, the higher the odds, but the risk also increases. Alternatively, fewer selections might reduce your payout but offer a safer bet.
The thrill of acca betting comes from the possibility of winning big from a small stake. Tracking multiple matches adds excitement, but it’s advisable to stick to sports and teams you know well to make informed selections.
What Markets Can You Bet On?
Acca bets are available across a wide range of sports, including football, horse racing, tennis, and basketball. Depending on the betting site, you might even combine selections from different sports into one accumulator. Popular markets for acca betting include match results, both teams to score, over/under goals, props, and outright winners.
Types of Accumulator Bets
An accumulator generally includes four or more selections. However, variations exist, offering some protection while still providing potential payouts:
- Trixie: Combines three selections into four bets (three doubles and a treble).
- Lucky 15: Includes four selections with 15 bets (four singles, six doubles, four trebles, and a fourfold).
- Patent: A three-selection wager consisting of seven bets (three singles, three doubles, and a treble).
- Yankee: Made up of four selections with 11 bets (six doubles, four trebles, and a fourfold).
- Heinz: Features six selections spread across 57 bets (one six-fold acca, six five-folds, 10 trebles, and 15 doubles).
These variations offer different levels of risk and reward, depending on the number of selections and the types of bets included.
Using an Acca Bet Calculator
Many betting sites offer acca bet calculators to help you price your accumulators before placing them. This tool is useful for comparing odds across different sites and finding the best value for your acca bets.
Let’s break down a more detailed example of how an accumulator bet works:
Imagine you place an accumulator bet with the following odds:
- Team A at 3.00
- Team B at 4.00
- Team C at 3.00
- Team D at 6.00
You start by betting 1 unit on Team A at odds of 3.00. If Team A wins, your total increases to 3 units (your initial 1 unit plus the 2 units gained from the win).
Next, you take those 3 units and bet on Team B at odds of 4.00. If Team B wins, your total rises to 12 units (3 units multiplied by the 4.00 odds, giving you 12 units).
Then, you roll over the 12 units to bet on Team C at 3.00 odds. If Team C wins, you now have 36 units (12 units multiplied by 3.00).
Finally, you take the 36 units and bet on Team D at 6.00 odds. If Team D wins, your final payout is 216 units (36 units multiplied by 6.00, yielding 216 units)
Accumulator Bets in Horse Racing
Horse racing accas are popular due to the number of races available daily. Bettors can combine selections from various races, including long-term ante-post bets on events like the Cheltenham Festival. Keep an eye out for promotions like money-back offers, extra places, or acca insurance, which can provide added value to your bet.
Football Accumulator Bets
Football accas are the most popular type of accumulator, with bets available on leagues like the Premier League, Champions League, and LaLiga. Saturday accas are particularly favored due to the volume of matches, and many betting sites offer promotions like acca boosts to enhance potential returns.
Each-Way Accumulator Bets
Each-way accas are common in horse racing but can also apply to other sports. This type of bet pays out if your selections finish within a certain range, as defined by the bookmaker, even if they don’t win outright. For example, if you bet on four teams to win their respective leagues and three win while the fourth finishes within the payout range, you’ll still receive a return.
Accumulator vs. Bet Builder
While both accumulator bets and bet builders require multiple selections, an acca combines selections across different events or markets, while a bet builder focuses on multiple outcomes within a single game.
Accumulator Promotions
Betting sites often offer promotions specifically for acca bets:
- Acca Boost: Increases the odds on your accumulator, usually for three or more selections.
- Acca Insurance: Refunds your stake if one selection loses, often in the form of free bets.
- Edit Bet: Allows you to modify your accumulator after placing it, potentially even after an event starts, though this may affect the payout.
- Loyalty Club: Rewards frequent acca bettors with free bets or other perks.
Responsible Gambling
Always remember to gamble responsibly. Betting should be seen as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Never bet more than you can afford to lose and utilize responsible gambling tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion if needed. If you find yourself struggling with gambling, seek help from organizations like GambleAware or Gamblers Anonymous.
Summary
Accumulator betting is a thrilling way to enhance your sports betting experience by combining multiple selections into a single bet. With higher potential rewards comes higher risk, so it’s crucial to bet wisely and within your limits. Whether you’re betting on football, horse racing, or other sports, understanding the nuances of acca betting can help you make the most of your wagers.
