Back
Asian Handicap.jpg

Accumulator Bets Explained

Sports betting involves predicting the outcome of games or events and placing wagers based on those predictions. Among the many ways to bet, accumulator bets are especially popular due to their ability to combine multiple selections into a single wager. Here, we break down how accumulator bets work, why they attract so much attention, and what to consider before placing one.

Table of Contents:

The Mechanics of an Accumulator Bet

An accumulator bet, often called an acca, is a type of wager that combines two or more individual selections into one single wager. Instead of betting on each selection separately, you roll them all into one bet.

When making a parlay bet, the outcomes do not have to be exclusively win or loss bets . You can include prop bets in a parlay, such as player props or game props.

If even one result doesn’t go your way, the whole bet is lost. The odds of each individual selection are multiplied together, resulting in higher overall odds and, consequently, a larger potential payout compared to placing each bet separately.

How Accumulator Bets Work

Placing an accumulator bet is simple once you understand the basics.

  1. Start by creating an account with a licensed platform, like LeoVegas, and make a deposit.

  2. Next, head to the sportsbook section and choose the events you want to bet on. You can stick to one sport, like football, or mix across several, like tennis, rugby, and Formula 1.

  3. Say you want to bet on NHL or NFL games. Just select your picks (like the teams you think will win), and you’ll see your bet slip start to fill with those selections. The more selections you add, the higher your combined odds go.

  4. Go to your bet slip and find the accumulator option (also named as “Parley”), often labelled something like “five-fold” if you’ve picked five events.

  5. Enter your stake in the acca box, double-check your selections, and place your bet. If all five of your chosen teams win, you get the full payout. If even one loses, the bet fails.

Accumulator Bet vs. Single Bets

An accumulator merges multiple selections into one wager, requiring every pick to win for a payout. In contrast, single bets are settled individually, and each can win or lose without affecting the others.

Accumulators are riskier by nature, but that risk is balanced by the significantly higher returns they offer. Because the odds of each selection are multiplied, even a modest stake can lead to a sizable payout if all legs are successful.

For instance, placing $2 on five separate singles might bring back around $15 in total. But that same $2 on a five-fold accumulator with the same selections will always return more if successful. The trade-off is clear: higher risk for much greater reward.

Types of Accumulator Bets

Accumulator bets come in several forms, each with its own structure and level of risk. Below are some of the most common types you’ll come across.

Double Bet (Two Selections)

A double is an accumulator with just two selections, and both must win for the bet to be successful. The winnings from the first bet roll over to the second. It’s a step up from a single bet, with better odds, but also slightly more risk since both outcomes need to come through.

Treble Bet (Three Selections)

A treble includes three separate selections in one bet. Just like a double, all selections must win for the bet to pay out. If even one of them loses, the entire bet is lost. Trebles offer higher potential returns than doubles, but also come with more risk.

Four-Fold and Above (Higher Multiples)

When a bet includes four or more selections, it’s referred to as a four-fold, five-fold, six-fold, and so on. These are full accumulators, meaning every selection must be correct for the bet to stand. As more legs are added, the total odds increase, but the likelihood of the bet falling short rises as well.

Each-Way Accumulators (Win and Place Bets Combined)

An each-way accumulator consists of two bets: a win bet and a place bet on multiple selections. The win part requires all selections to win, while the place part pays out if all selections place (e.g., finishing in the top three). This type of bet is common in horse racing, providing a safety net if selections don't win but still perform well.

Lucky 15

A Lucky 15 is a popular multiple bet that involves four selections across different events, resulting in 15 individual bets: four singles, six doubles, four trebles, and one four-fold accumulator. This structure means that even if only one selection wins, you still receive a return, offering a level of security not found in standard accumulators. This bet type is especially favoured in horse racing but is also applicable to other sports, such as football and tennis.

Advantages of Accumulator Bets

Here are some of the benefits associated with using Accumulator Bets:

  • Low Stakes, Higher Potential Payouts: Accumulator bets allow you to combine several picks with a small stake. The multiplied odds will result in a better return than placing the same amount on singles, provided all of your selections win.

  • Flexible Across Markets: Accumulators can be built using a range of bet types and sports, from match winners to player stats. This allows for custom combinations tailored to your knowledge or strategy.

  • Broader Exposure to Sports: Building accumulator bets often involves tracking multiple teams, players, or events, which can lead to a deeper understanding of different sports and betting markets over time.

Disadvantages and Risks of Accumulator Bets

Accumulator bets have their appeal, but they also come with trade-offs. Here are some of the key drawbacks to consider:

  • All or Nothing: In a standard accumulator, every selection has to win for you to get a payout. If just one of your selections loses, the whole bet is lost. That’s a lot of pressure on every leg of your bet.

  • Compounded Bookmaker Margins: Bookmakers include a margin in their odds to ensure profitability. When multiple bets are combined in an accumulator, these margins compound, effectively increasing the bookmaker's edge and reducing the bettor's expected return. The more legs you add, the more value you lose to the bookmaker.

  • Time-Consuming Research: With multiple selections in play, you must do your homework on each. That means checking stats, form, injuries, and more. This can take a lot of time, especially if you’re betting across different sports or leagues. If you guess or rush it, the risk goes up even more.

  • Best Suited for Experienced Bettors: Because of the risk and complexity, accumulators are better for people who understand betting inside out. Beginners might find it fun, but it’s easy to get carried away chasing big wins without understanding the low chances of success.

Understanding Accumulator Bet Odds

Odds for accumulator bets are calculated by multiplying the odds of each individual selection together. For example, if you have three selections with odds of 2.0, 1.5, and 1.8, your accumulator odds would be 2.0 × 1.5 × 1.8 = 5.4. This means that for every $1 you stake, you’d get $5.40 back if all three teams win and $54 when you bet $10.

While this calculation can be done manually, most online sportsbooks automatically compute the total odds and potential returns for your accumulator bet as you add selections to your bet slip. Additionally, there are online accumulator calculators available that allow you to input the odds of each selection and your stake to quickly determine the total potential return. These tools are especially helpful for planning your bets and understanding the possible outcomes before placing a wager.

Decimal vs. Fractional Odds

The two most common odds formats are decimal odds and fractional odds. Decimal odds, widely used in Canada, Australia, and Europe, represent the total return for every unit staked, including the original stake. For instance, if you place a $10 bet at decimal odds of 3.00, your total return would be $30 ($10 stake × 3.00), which includes your initial $10 stake and $20 profit.

Fractional odds, commonly used in the UK and Ireland, express the profit relative to the stake. For example, odds of 2/1 (read as "two to one") mean you win $2 for every $1 wagered, plus your original stake. So, a $10 bet at 2/1 would yield a $20 profit and return $30 in total.

Accumulator bets are popular across various sports. Here's how accumulator betting applies to some of the most popular ones:​

Soccer

Football is by far the most popular sport for accumulator bets, especially in the UK. Football accas are a weekend tradition for many bettors, with picks often coming from the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, and other top leagues. There are numerous markets to choose from, including match winners, both teams to score, and total goals, which makes it easy to build custom accumulators across multiple games.

Basketball

Basketball accumulator bets are often built around the NBA and EuroLeague. With games happening almost every day during the season, it’s easy to put together multi-leg bets using markets like match winners, point spreads, or total points. The steady flow of fixtures makes basketball a strong option for short-term accas. Many fans also include player props, like total points or assists, to add more variety.

Tennis

Tennis is well suited for accumulator bets because of its simple win/lose format and the high volume of matches in tournaments like Wimbledon, the US Open, and the ATP Tour. Bettors often combine favourites from early rounds into low-risk accas to boost overall odds. With matches taking place daily across various tournaments, tennis offers frequent opportunities to build accas based on form, surface preference, and head-to-head records.

Football

Accumulator bets on football are especially popular during the NFL season. Bettors can combine multiple games across a weekend, picking outcomes like moneyline winners, point spreads, or total points. Since NFL games are usually played once a week, accumulators are often centred around Sunday matchups. College football is also part of the mix, giving bettors more games to include in their selections.

FAQs

Below are some common questions related to accumulator bets:

Is there a limit to how many selections I can include?

Most bookmakers set a limit on how many selections you can include in an accumulator, often allowing up to 20 per bet slip.

Are accumulators better than single bets?

That depends on what you value more: higher returns or more consistent outcomes. Accumulators offer a bigger payout because the odds are multiplied across each selection. If all your picks win, the return will always beat what you’d get from backing them as singles.

The trade-off is probability. The more outcomes you're relying on, the lower your chances of winning the full bet. Single bets carry far less risk, since each one stands alone, but they also limit your upside. Whether accumulators are “better” comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take in pursuit of a bigger reward.

How do I improve my chances of winning an accumulator?

Stick to selections you know well rather than chasing long shots. Focus your bet slip on fewer, stronger picks. Research form, stats, and conditions before placing a bet. Some bettors also concentrate on one sport, series, or league for consistency.

Are there any betting tools to help with accumulator predictions?

Yes, many sites offer accumulator calculators, odds comparison tools, and prediction software that can highlight smart picks or flag risky ones. Some apps even suggest combos based on stats and trends.

Can I cash out an accumulator bet midway?

Yes, many bookmakers, including LeoVegas, offer a cash-out feature. If some of your selections have already won, you may be able to settle the bet early to either secure a return or reduce potential losses.