Common system structures
| System | Selections | Component bets | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trixie | 3 | 3 doubles + 1 treble | 4 |
| Patent | 3 | 3 singles + 3 doubles + 1 treble | 7 |
| Yankee | 4 | 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 fourfold | 11 |
| Lucky 15 | 4 | 4 singles + 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 fourfold | 15 |
Betfair's current Sportsbook rules list the component counts for Lucky 15, Lucky 31 and Lucky 63 products. Its bet-placement guide shows that named multiples are selected separately in the bet slip. Product names and bonuses can vary, so verify the displayed line breakdown.
Total stake is per line
At GBP 2 per line:
| System | Lines | Total stake |
|---|---|---|
| Trixie | 4 | GBP 8 |
| Patent | 7 | GBP 14 |
| Yankee | 11 | GBP 22 |
| Lucky 15 | 15 | GBP 30 |
Total stake = line stake * number of lines
Do not compare a GBP 2-per-line system with a GBP 2 total-stake accumulator; they expose different amounts.
Worked Trixie settlement
Selections A, B and C create AB, AC, BC and ABC.
| Winning selections | Returning lines before void or dead-heat rules |
|---|---|
| A only | None |
| A and B | AB double |
| A, B and C | Three doubles and the treble |
The exact return is the sum of each winning line's stake multiplied by its component prices. A void selection can convert lines into shorter bets under the operator rules and can create duplicate effective lines, so reconcile from the settled receipt.
Compare with one accumulator
A fourfold has one line and requires all four live selections. A Yankee has 11 lines and can return from two or three winners, but its total stake is larger at the same unit stake. OpenStax's expected-value method requires the net payoff and probability of every system outcome; partial-return capability alone does not establish value.
Verification checklist
- Confirm the selections and accepted prices.
- Expand the named system into explicit lines.
- Multiply line count by per-line stake.
- Recalculate every winning or revised line.
- Apply void, dead-heat, non-runner and cap rules.
- Compare total return with total stake, not unit stake.
Next step
Use How Accumulators Work for the next part of this topic.
Expand the lines before calculating returns
Name selections A, B, C and D, then list every purchased component. A Trixie contains AB, AC, BC and ABC. A Yankee contains AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD, ABC, ABD, ACD, BCD and ABCD. Counting combinations directly prevents a displayed line count from becoming an unexplained input.
For each line, calculate a separate gross return from only its winning live selections. Then sum line returns and subtract the total stake across all lines. A losing selection removes every component containing it, but components built solely from other winning selections can remain.
| Check | Expected property |
|---|---|
| Line uniqueness | No component appears twice |
| Stake total | Unit stake multiplied by accepted line count |
| Void handling | Recalculate each affected component under the product rule |
| Cash reconciliation | Sum of line returns equals final gross return |
Named systems can vary by operator features and bonuses. Preserve the actual bet-slip breakdown rather than assuming a promotion is part of the mathematical structure.
Continue learning
- Next guide: Treble Bets Explained
- Related guide: 1X2 Accumulators
Assumptions and limitations
Line definitions shown are common named structures and match the cited operator examples. Bonuses, guarantees, deductions, each-way treatment and settlement can vary by product.
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