What is an accumulator bet (acca)?
An accumulator bet – also known as an acca – is a type of multiple bet used within the sports betting industry that combines two or more individual bets into a solitary bet.
Accumulator bets have grown in popularity over the years, with more and more bettors using them across a wide range of sports. Any of the best football betting sites allow bettors to make acca bets. Football tends to be the most popular sport in terms of accumulator bets, especially during busy weekends when the season is underway.
An acca bet allows a bettor to combine different selections into the same bet. The advantage of an accumulator bet is multiple markets across different games, leagues or even sports, can all be added onto the same bet.
This means a bettor will receive enhanced odds on a single bet, although the risk is higher due to the multiple selections. The risk is offset by the fact a bettor can win big by placing a low stake.
This article will provide an in depth explanation as to what an accumulator bet, while also covering topics such as the different types of acca bets, certain promotions and what sort of markets are available for accumulator bets.
Learn: How to bet on football
How does an acca bet work?
Accumulator bets work by combining several wagers across different events into one single bet.
There are usually two ways of doing this. By selecting a lot of wagers into one accumulator bet, the odds increase greatly which provides a much greater return should it land.
While no type of betting is risk free, by placing a relatively low stake on an acca bet with multiple selections, a high payout can be won without staking too much.
On the other hand, by selecting fewer wagers on a single acca bet, but placing a higher stake, the chances of winning are increased due to the lower number of selections.
The bettor can still win a solid payout, although a bigger stake means a greater risk.
While acca bets do provide a fun way to bet across multiple leagues or even sports, if just one selection loses, the whole bet fails.
What markets are available for acca bets?
Accumulator bets tend to be placed on sports such as football, tennis, horse racing, basketball and cricket. These sports offer plenty of markets for the bettor to choose from.
Below is a list of the most popular markets available across these sports.
Football
- Match result: Home win, draw, away win.
- Both teams to score: If both teams score during a match, the selection wins.
- Over/Under goals: The most popular markets for this type of bet tend to be over 1.5 or over 2.5 goals. However, bettors can go higher if they wish, with over 3.5 and over 4.5 goal markets on offer before games and they offer better odds.
- Correct score: These bets come with better odds, but are more difficult to win, especially if spread across an acca bet.
Tennis
- Match winner: Picking a player to win their match.
- Set betting: Choosing whether a player will win a match 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 in terms of sets.
- Correct score: Predicting the match score, for example, a player to win 6-3, 6-2 and 6-1 across three sets.
- Total games (over/under): Predicting whether the total number of games in a match will be over or under a certain figure. For example, over 28.5 games in a best of five match.
- To win a set: Picking whether a player can win a single set. This bet is popular for players who might not be favourites to win the game, but have the ability to win a set.
Basketball
- Match winner: Similar to football and tennis, predicting what team will win the game.
- Winning margin: Betting on how many points a certain team will win by. Typical markets for this bet are between 1-5 points or 6-10 points. The odds increase when going higher than this.
- Total points (over/under): Predicting over or under the total number of points scored in a game.
- Half-time/full-time: Betting on whether a team will be winning at half-time, full-time or even both depending on the strength of the team.
Cricket
- Match winner: Betting on the outcome of a specific match.
- Top batsman/bowler: Betting on who will be the top batsman for a specific team in terms of total runs scored during the game. With regard to the top bowler, whoever claims the most wickets during the game will finish as the top bowler.
- Total runs: This can differ depending on whether it is a Test match, One Day International or T20 game. The longer the match, the great number of total runs that can be used in an acca bet.
- Over/Under scores: This tends to be used for batters regarding whether they score over or under a certain amount of runs during a game.
Horse Racing
- To win: Basically, betting on a certain horse to win a race.
- Each Way (EW): An Each Way bet allows a bettor to profit even if his horse doesn’t win a race. Tends to be used for horses who aren’t favourites for a race, but by combining a few of those into a single accumulator, the returns can be large should every horse secure a place. The number of places is dictated by the number of horses in a single race.
Types of acca bets
A bet of four of more selections qualifies as an acca bet and several bookmakers allow up to 20 selections on a single accumulator.
There are various types of acca bets, however. Bets with just two selections are called doubles, while a treble is when a bettor chooses three wagers onto a single bet.
These tend to be the most popular variation of an acca bet, but there are plenty more available for bettors.
Trixie
A trixie bet is similar to a treble, but there are three double selections included. Meaning there are four bets on three selections.
Patent
A patent bet is a three-selection wager which includes a total of seven bets. A treble, three doubles and three singles make up this type of acca bet.
Yankee
A yankee bet is the next step up from a patent. It comprises a total of 11 bets; six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold.
Lucky 15
A lucky 15 bet is mainly used in horse racing and found on the best horse racing betting sites, but can be used across a range of sports.
If used on horse racing, this type of acca bet covers multiple bets on four horses. This comprises of one accumulator, six doubles, four trebles and four single bets.
In total, there are 15 bets, which means whatever you stake, it is multiplied by 15 to cover all of the wagers on the acca.
Heinz
A Heinz bet is not as popular as others on this list, but it is commonly used in horse racing.
Covering a total of 57 bets, a Heinz bet comprises of a six-fold accumulator, six five-folds, ten trebles and 15 single bets over six selections.
Each-way accumulator
An each-way accumulator is popular across sports such as golf and horse racing, where multiple selections can be combined at bigger odds. These selections don’t have to win in order to receive a payout.
The stake is doubled. One part is for the win, while the other is for the place. Each part is settled separately.
How to use an acca bet calculator
Using an acca calculator is a way for a bettor to work out his or her returns on a multiple-bet wager where every selection must win in order to receive a payout.
An acca calculator is particularly useful for those who wish to compare odds across different bookmakers in order to get the best value for their money on an acca bet.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use an acca bet calculator.
- Choose the type of bet: Select either accumulator or the specific type of bet, whether that is a treble or four-fold for example.
- Enter each selection: For every leg of the accumulator, the bettor must enter the odds - either decimal or fractional - and select the outcome.
- Enter the stake: Bettors must input exactly how much they are placing on the acca bet.
- Calculate: Once all the data is entered into the acca bet calculator, clicking calculate will give the bettor information such as their potential profit, return and a breakdown per selection for the acca bet in question.
Difference between an acca and a bet builder
While an acca bet comprises multiple selections over various markets into one single wager, a bet builder is slightly different.
Indeed, this is a type of custom bet where the bettor combines several selections from a single event into one bet.
Instead of all wagers coming in across several matches or leagues, a bet builder requires each selection in a given event to win in order to receive a payout.
For example, if using a bet builder on Arsenal vs Liverpool in the Premier League, a bettor chooses four selections. These could be:
- Liverpool to win
- Both teams to score
- Mohamed Salah to score
- Over 3.5 goals
Each one of these outcomes would have to occur in order for the bet builder to win. This type of bet is good to use when following a single match, especially football.
Types of acca promotions
Acca bet promotions are usually offered by bookmakers in a bid to see users place more accumulators on a specific site.
These promotional offers are typically used to add more value to a bet or to reduce the risks of placing acca bets, enabling the bettor to perhaps claim more in winnings.
There are several types of promotions that are offered by bookmakers and these are listed below.
Acca boost
This is one of the most popular acca promotions in the market and tends to be offered by a host of bookmakers, notably Bet365, William Hill and Paddy Power.
An acca boost can increase the bettor’s winnings by a certain percentage if the accumulator bet wins.
For example, an acca with five selections may receive a 5% boost, while one with six selections may receive a boost of 10%. The more selections there are on a specific acca, the higher percentage boost will be applied.
Acca insurance
The acca insurance is another type of promotion which benefits the bettor. On bookmakers such as Sky Bet or Betfair, they may offer to refund your stake as a free bet if just one selection lets down an entire accumulator.
This may require the acca to have a certain number of legs for the promotion to work, however.
Acca loyalty
Certain bookmakers will reward loyalty by giving users who place a specific number of acca bets during a single week.
For example, if a bettor places five accumulators on throughout the week, they may receive a free £5 bet to use on another acca of their choosing.
This promotion encourages bettors to continue using the same bookmaker in order to receive their reward.
Risk-Free accas
A risk-free acca is usually reserved for new customers or as a promotion ahead of a big event.
Basically, the promotion refunds a bettor’s stake should their acca lose. This tends to favour bookmakers who offer more promotions than others.
How to place an acca bet
This article has provided information on things such as how to use an acca calculator, the different markets available for acca bets, the types of acca bets and several different promotions which a bettor can make use of when betting this way.
The final section focusses on how to place an acca bet and below is a step-by-step guide on the process.
1. Choose a reputable bookmaker
This is arguably the most important aspect with regard to placing an acca bet, but it is one that often gets overlooked.
The best betting sites such as Sky Bet, Paddy Power and William Hill offer some of the best promotions. First of all, however, signing up or logging in is the place to start.
2. Browse markets
Once signed up or logged in, choosing a sport is the next port of call. The most popular ones regarding acca bets tend to be football, horse racing and tennis betting sites, although much will depend on what the bettor is knowledgeable in.
3. Make your selections
Once a sport or market has been chosen, the next step is to add all the selections into the acca bet via the betting slip.
Four or more bets will be required in order for it to become an accumulator. If not, a double or a treble could also be selected.
4. Select accumulator on bet slip
Once the bettor is comfortable with their selections and is ready to proceed, the next step involves them making sure they have chosen the correct bet.
By scrolling down the bet slip, there will be an accumulator option. Selecting this will allow the bookmaker to calculate the odds.
5. Entering a stake
With the odds of the acca bet now known, it is up to the bettor to enter the stake that they plan on using for the bet.
A lower stake means less risk, but won’t return as much if the bet wins. Alternatively, a higher stake means the user will receive a higher payout, but at a much greater risk.
6. Placing the bet
With everything else considered, all that is required is for the bettor to click on place bet and then sit back and wait to see if it is a winner or not.
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FAQs
What is an acca bet?
An acca bet is a single bet that incorporates multiple selections. All of these selections must win to receive a payout. The bigger the acca, the more a bettor can win as odds multiply with each selection.
What are the best bookmakers to use when placing an accumulator bet?
Bookmakers such as Sky Bet, William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfair offer plenty of promotions when it comes to acca bets. These include acca boosts, acca insurance and risk-free bets.
Can I cash out my acca bet early?
Yes, the majority of bookmakers offer a cash-out option that allows the bettor to settle an acca bet before all the selections have finished.
What happens if one leg of my acca bet loses?
If a single selection on an acca bet loses, the whole bet loses.
Can acca bets be used on more than one sport?
Yes, acca bets can comprise selections across multiple sports. Popular sports that are used for an acca bet are football, tennis, horse racing, American football and basketball.
Is there a difference between an acca bet and a bet builder?
Yes. While an acca bet comprises multiple bets across different teams, leagues or even sports, a bet builder focusses on a single match or event. All bets made within the bet builder have to win, otherwise the bet loses.
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