How many events can be included in a single bet?

How many events can be included in a single wager?

When choosing multiple events to bet on, there are a couple of different options. You could choose to bet on each event as separate bets, giving you multiple stakes, multiple chances to win, and independent results on each outcome. Alternatively, you could choose to add these events to the same bet, giving you much greater odds if every result comes up. While combining events into the same bet relies on either a higher stake (for multiples) or a higher risk (for accumulators), the rewards from these bets are exponentially greater than betting on the same events as single bets. But how many events can you combine into the same bet, and is this a good strategy for betting online?

What is a multiples bet?

Multiples bets, also known as systems bets, give you the chance to combine events on the same betting line. Depending on the structure of your multiples bet, you can still win even if one or more of your predictions fails to materialise. The most basic type of multiple bet is the double or the treble, where you’re combining two or three different events in the same bet. A double bet from three selections, or a treble from four selections allows you to combine bets and win at higher odds when 2/3 or 3/4 of your results come in.

Different types of multiples bets are available, including more complex bets like four-folds, Yankee, Canadian and Heinz bets. These are covered in more depth in our artifcle on how multiple bets work, which explains everything you need to know to use multiples to increase your chances of winning from your betting selections.

What is an accumulator bet?

Accumulator bets are similar to multiples, but differ in one crucial aspect. Rather than being a selection of multiple different picks you need to win the bet, an accumulator requires all events on your betting line to come good - for the reward of a much greater return on your stake. Accumulators can run from 2 or more outcomes upwards, with a multiplying factor of odds for every additional leg added to the betting slip.

Accumulators can also include matches in play, and can be cashed out early at some bookmakers, giving you the chance to bank a certain win now for early settlement. Accumulators and how they work are explained in more detail in our post ‘What is an accumulator bet?’ which looks further at the nuances and strategies around betting with accumulators.

For many punters, accumulators represent the moon-shoot bet. Line up 8-10 different events on the same ticket at odds running into the thousands-to-one, and cross your fingers for a lucky day. Even with small stakes, accumulators can return massive wins when all the results come up, such is the multiplying factor of the odds when you add multiple lines to your bet. However, the chances of a large accumulator coming good are very slim - you’ll need a good bit of luck to win on an accumulator over multiple different legs.

Can you combine multiple bets on the same game?

It’s possible to combine multiple bets for the same game or event on your multiple or accumulator bet. Most bookmakers offer several different markets per event, and you’re fine to combine selections from different markets on the same bet - for example, first goalscorer, total goals and outright result. These are just factored into the multiple or accumulator in the usual way, amplifying the odds when the results are combined versus betting on each outcome individually.

This is likely to have a significant impact on your accumulator odds (and a negative impact on your chances of winning). Relying on the correct outright outcome is one thing - but the correct scorer and final score on the same line will significantly increase the odds returned to you. Combining bets in this way can be a good way of working up your odds in multiple bets, or working up your odds in longer accumulators.

What is the maximum number of events that can be combined in one bet?

This varies from bookmaker to bookmaker, but typically you’ll find the maximum coming in at 12-15 different events on the same bet. The more events you add to the mix, the higher the odds paid to you if you win. Conversely, the fewer events on your accumulator, the lower the odds - but the greater the chances that your results will come good.

Different bookmakers have different rules as to the maximum number of events you can combine on a single bet. You’ll find this in the bookmakers terms and conditions - or by adding as many lines to your accumulator/multiples bet as the betslip will allow.

Do multiples require a higher stake?

System bets, or multiples, are actually multiple different single bets on a number of possible outcomes from the combination you’ve selected. In reality, you will bet on different lines combining some of your results, in the expectation that while some might come good, others will fail. For this reason, the stake is often multiplied by the number of different individual bets contained in your system bet - so that a £1 stake could end up at £6, if you’re betting on 6 different possibilities from the selections in your multiple bet.

By contrast, an accumulator with multiple legs does not require a multiple of your stake - this is simply a single bet on multiple different outcomes, which stands or falls depending on whether all outcomes come good.

Multiples and accumulators are an excellent tool in the arsenal, and one you should consider using regularly to increase the size of your potential wins from your selections. While multiples offer a lower risk profile across the same number of outcomes than an accumulator, accumulators are cheaper and will come with better odds. It’s really up to you how you decide to use these bets, and whether you can make them work to your advantage in combining multiple different events on the same betting line.