A glossary of popular bets in the UK

Below is a glossary of popular bets, followed by definitions for some of the more obscure industry bets. 

SINGLE

1 selection  = 1 bet.

DOUBLE

2 selections = 1 bet.

TREBLE

3 selections = 1 bet.

ACCUMULATOR

4 or more selections = 1 bet.

TRIXIE

3 selections = 4 bets, comprised of 3 doubles and a treble.

YANKEE

4 selections, comprising 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 accumulator.

SUPER YANKEE/CANADIAN

5 selections = 26 bets, comprising 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-timers and 1 accumulator.

HEINZ

6 selections = 57 bets, comprising 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds and 1 accumulator.

SUPER-HEINZ

7 selections = 120 bets, comprising 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 fivefolds, 7 sixfolds and 1 accumulator.

GOLIATH

8 selections = 247 bets, comprising 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 fourfolds, 56 fivefolds, 28 sixfolds, 8 sevenfolds and 1 accumulator.

PATENT

3 selections = 7 bets, comprised of 3 singles, 3 doubles and a treble.

LUCKY 15

4 selections, comprising 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 accumulator.

LUCKY 31

5 selections = 31 bets, comprising 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds and 1 accumulator.

LUCKY 63

6 selections = 63 bets, comprising 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds and 1 accumulator.

'ANY-TO-COME' SHIFTING BET

A bet where the stake is paid on an initial bet, with an amount being shifted onto another bet from any winnings.

UP & DOWN

2 selections = 2 bets, comprising a single on each selection, plus 'any-to-come' singles.

UP & DOWN 'SHIFT THE DOUBLE'

2 selections = 2 bets, comprising a single on each selection, plus 'any-to-come singles to double the stake unit.

ROUND ROBIN

3  selections = 10 bets, comprising three pairs of 'up & down' bets, 3 doubles and 1 treble.

FLAG

4  selections = 23 bets, comprising six pairs of 'up & down' bets, 6 doubles, 3 trebles and 1 accumulator.

SUPER FLAG

5  selections = 46 bets, comprising ten pairs of 'up & down' bets, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds and 1 accumulator.

HEINZ FLAG

6 selections = 87 bets, comprising fifteen pairs of 'up & down' bets, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 fivefolds and 1 accumulator.

UNION JACK 'TREBLES'

9 selections = 8 bets, comprising 8 trebles in specified order: 1-2-3, 1-4-7, 1-5-9, 2-5-8, 3-5-7, 3-6-9, 4-5-6, 7-8-9.

UNION JACK 'PATENT'

9 selections = 56 bets, comprising 8 patents in specified order: 1-2-3, 1-4-7, 1-5-9,

2-5-8, 3-5-7, 3-6-9, 4-5-6, 7-8-9.

STRAIGHT FORECAST

2 selections from the same event, to finish in the order written = 1 bet.

REVERSED FORECAST

2 selections from the same event, to finish in either order written = 2 bets.

'WITH THE FIELD' FORECAST

A forecast bet comprising a stated selection in a straight forecast with each of the other runners in the race. Eg: Trap 1 with the other 5 dogs in the race = 5 bets. 

'WITH THE FIELD' REVERSED FORECAST

The same as WITH THE FIELD but the customer’s selection can finish either first or second.  The number of bets is one LESS than the number of runners in the race x 2.

(In a 6 runner race there are 10 bets, 6 runners LESS 1 = 5 x 2 = 10).

STRAIGHT FORECAST DOUBLE

A bet comprising 2 straight forecasts from different events in a double = 1 bet.

REVERSED FORECAST DOUBLE

A bet comprising 2 reversed forecasts from different events in a double = 4 bets.

Eg: 1 x 2 with 3 x 4; 1 x 2 with 4 x 3; 2 x 1 with 3 x 4; 2 x 1 with 4 x 3.

STRAIGHT TRICAST

3 selections from the same event, to finish 1-2-3 in the order written = 1 bet.

COMBINATION TRICAST

3 or more selections from the same event, 3 of which must finish 1-2-3 in any order.

Eg: 3 selections = 6 bets.

STRAIGHT FORECAST PATENT

3 straight forecast selections = 7 bets, comprised of 3 straight forecast singles, 3 straight forecast doubles and a straight forecast treble.

REVERSED FORECAST PATENT

3 reversed forecast selections = 26 bets, comprised of 6 forecast singles, 12 forecast doubles and 8 forecast treble.

PLACE 6-5

Place 6: One horse is selected in each of the six designated races at the nominated meeting. All selections must be at least placed to receive a return.

Place 5: As above, with races 2-5 only being selected.

TOTE EXACTA

2 selections from the same event, to finish in the correct order = 1 bet.

REVERSE EXACTA

2 selections from the same event, to finish in either order = 2 bets.

TOTE TRIFECTA

3 selections to finish 1-2-3 in correct order = 1 bet.

TOTE JACKPOT

6 selections, to win each of the six designated races at the Jackpot meeting = 1 bet.

TOTE PLACEPOT

6 selections, to be placed in each of the six designated races at a nominated meeting = 1 bet.

TOTE QUADPOT

4 selections, to be placed in the last four Placepot races at a nominated meeting = 1 bet.

TOTE SCOOP6

6 selections, to win or be placed in the six Tote nominated televised races = 1 bet.

Below is a glossary of some of the more obscure types of bets.  The definitions are nationally accepted, although they may be subject to local variations.

Details of the bet breakdown is also given for staking purposes.

ABC ROLL UP

3 selections combined in a Trixie + Roundabout.

(3 + 4 = 7 bets) Same as BANKO

ALPHABET

6 selections combined in 2 Patents (selections 1,2,3 and 4,5,6), 1 Yankee (selections 2,3,4,5) and all 6 in an Accumulator.  (7 + 7 + 11 + 1 = 26 bets).

ARKLE

4 selections combined in 4 Patents + each way Accumulator (7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 2 = 30 bets).

BANKO

3 selections combined in a Trixie and a Roundabout (3 + 4 = 7 bets).  Same as ABC ROLL UP.

BLANKET YANKEE

4 selections combined in a Flag + Singles (23 + 4 = 27 bets).

BOOKIES NIGHTMARE

9 selections combined in 2 Patents (selections 1,2,3 and 7,8,9) 1 Round Robin (selection 4,5,6), 2 Yankees (selections 1,2,3,4 and 6,7,8,9) + Accumulator

(7 + 7 + 10 + 11 + 11 + 1 = 47 bets).

COMEDY

3 selections combined in a Round Robin and Roundabout (10 + 3 = 13 bets).

DOUBLE LAP

Can be for ANY number of selections.  Consists of a Single Any to Come a Single on the next selection at double stakes.  The number of bets is the same as the number of selections (e.g. 3 selections = 3 bets).

DUNDEE SHUFFLE

4 selections combined in 4 full stake Singles Any to Come a half stake Trixie on the other three, 6 half stake Doubles Any to Come a full stake Double on the other two, 4 half stake Trebles and each way half stake Accumulator.

(16 bets, 4 at full stake and 12 at half stake, e.g. 4 x 50p + 12 x 25p = £5 stake).

EQUALLY DIVIDED

An each way bet where the total winnings are equally divided rather than settled win and place.

FIDO

5 selections combined in 10 Doubles and 10 Trebles (10 + 10 = 20 bets).

GYROSCOPE

5 selections combined in 10 Doubles Any to Come a Treble on the other three. (10 bets).

IF LOSE

Any number of selections.  It is a conditional bet which is governed by whether or not the previous selections wins.  If it does the next part of the bet is not wanted, if it doesn’t the next part of the bet is wanted.  Also know as STOP AT A WINNER.

LIVERPOOL ROUND THE CLOCK

3 selections combined in a Roundabout + Trixie + 3 Double Stakes About bets.

(3 + 4 + 6 = 13 bets).

MIX

4 selections combined in a Yankee + Accumulator (11 + 1 = 12 bets).

PATENT

3 selections combined in Singles + Trixie (3 + 4 = 7 bets).

PERM PATENT

4 selections combined in 4 Patents. (7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 28 bets).

PERM ROUND ROBIN

4 selections combined in 4 Round Robins. (10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 40 bets).

PERM YANKEE

5 selections combined in 5 Yankees. (11 + 11 + 11 + 11 + 11 = 55 bets).

POLY

6 selections combined in consecutive Doubles (1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6) non-consecutive Trebles (1-3-5, 1-4-6, 1-3-6, 2-4-6), + 4 time Accumulator (1-2-5-6) making 10 bets.  (5 + 4 +1).

ROLL UP

Generally accepted as another name for an Accumulator but can also be 3 selections combined in a Patent and a Place Treble (7 + 1 = 8 bets).

ROUNDABOUT

3 selections combined in 3 Singles Any to Come a double at twice the stake on the other two.

(1 + 1 + 1 = 3 bets).

ROUNDER

3 selections combined in 3 Singles Any to Come a Double at the same stake on the other two.

(1 + 1 + 1 = 3 bets).

ROUND THE CLOCK

3 or more selections combined in Singles Any to Come a Single on each of the other selections in turn.  The number of bets is the same as the number of selections (e.g. 3 selections = 3 bets).

SEVEN WAYS BET

Same as a PATENT.

SINGLE LAP

Can be for ANY number of selections.  Consists of a Single Any to Come a Single on the next selection at the same stake.  The number of bets is the same as the number of selections

(e.g. 3 selections = 3 bets).

SITTER

Can be for any number of selections from 4 upwards combined in Doubles and Trebles.  (The number of bets depends on the number of selections e.g. 4 selections is 6 Doubles and 4 Trebles = 10 bets, 5 selections is 10 + 10 = 20 bets).

SPECIAL PLACE BETTING

In certain races we may offer odds for a horse to be placed, or offer special place odds on a jockey’s mounts.  The customer’s selection(s) do not have to win (although it is OK if they do) but MUST be placed.

STOP AT WINNER

Same as IF LOSE.

SUNDIAL

7 selections combined in 1 Patent (selections 1,2,3) and 1 Yankee (4,5,6,7).

(7 + 11 = 18 bets).

TRAINER’S SELECTED

If a trainer runs two or more horses in the same race, the TRAINERS SELECTED is the one that starts at the shortest price.

TRIPLE YANKEE

6 selections combined in 3 Yankees (selections 1,2,3,4.  3,4,5,6.  1,2,5,6.).

(11 + 11 + 11 = 33 bets).

TWIST

Same as PATENT.

YAP

4 selections combined in a Yankee + Singles.  (11 + 4 = 15 bets).  It is usual to offer the customer a Lucky 15 bet which is identical and includes a consolation.