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What is an Accumulator Bet and How Do They Work? Expert Guide to Betting on Accmulators

James Leeland
Senior Editor
Fact checked by: Mike McKean
Publish Date: 08.12.2023

Getting Started with Accumulator Betting

Are you interested in finding out more about placing an accumulator bet? This type of bet is most commonly used in sports betting. Accumulator bets can offer great returns when they pay out, but they are not without risk.

There’s a lot to know about accumulator bets, from the good old what is an accumulator bet question, all the way to the specific strategies bettors use to increase their chances or bet experience. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an experienced bettor – we’ve got you covered! Find all you need to know with this expert guide.

What is Accumulator Betting? Accumulators Explained

So, what is an accumulator bet? In a nutshell, an accumulator bet is a type of combined bet. You place bets on several events that then combine together to form a bet of either higher value or greater odds. For a bet to be classified as an accumulator, it needs to contain four or more selections.

Accumulator bets are very popular in sports betting and are often enjoyed by groups of gambling enthusiasts who want to make watching their preferred sporting event more exciting. This type of betting offers one of the easiest ways to enjoy responsible gambling, as the initial stakes can be lower than with other bets, yet if you win, the payout will be higher.

Accumulator bets, of course, are just one type of betting strategy. To learn more about the various betting strategies that are out there, including the specific tips and tricks that can help you place smarter bets on specific sports, check out our betting guides.

Accumulator Bets You Need to Know About

As mentioned briefly above in the accumulators explained section, in order for a bet to be classified as an accumulator, it needs to contain a minimum of four selections. If it has two or three selections, it is not an accumulator but a double and treble, respectively. In most cases, you can add as many selections as you would like to an accumulator bet, although there will be limits applied eventually – usually around 20 selections.

We’ve put together a useful table below with more details on the number of selections chosen and the type of accumulator bet placed.

Number of selectionsType of accumulator
2Double
3Treble
4Four-fold accumulator
5Five-fold accumulator
6Six-fold accumulator
7Seven-fold accumulator
20Twenty-fold accumulator

Best Sports for Accumulator Betting

If you love sports betting, you will be happy to hear that you can build accumulators for many different types of sports. Some of the most popular sports for accumulators are:

Soccer Accumulators

Soccer accumulators are incredibly popular, with lots of betting options and chances to win. For soccer fans, accumulator bets offer the perfect opportunity to put your knowledge to the test and spot value in prices.

Horse Racing Accumulators

Horse racing accumulators are also well-liked, with an abundance of events throughout the year to bet on and each way angles to consider. In terms of betting opportunities, bookmakers tend to price horses at higher odds than in football matches as there are more outcomes in a race, so if you win, you could enjoy greater payouts.

Tennis Accumulators

There are lots of tennis tournaments around the world and throughout the year, making this a great sport for building accumulators. If you are a tennis fanatic, use your knowledge of in-form players and up-and-coming stars to your advantage.

Accumulator Bet Benefits

There are several reasons why someone might choose to place an accumulator over another type of bet. These include:

  • Greater rewards
  • More fun for a lower stake
  • Longer period of betting enjoyment
  • The chance to test your knowledge

People also like to compete with their friends using accumulator bets or share their bets on social media.

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Risks of Accumulator Betting

As with all forms of betting, there are certain risks associated with accumulator bets. Most notably, it can be hard to get all your selections to land, and even if only one fails, you will still lose your bet.

It is also worth knowing that bookmakers make greater profits from accumulators as they compound their margins. For example, if a single bet has an average margin of 5% when you add another selection, this is doubled to 10%. Therefore, if you placed a 10-fold accumulator, the bookmaker would see a profit margin of a whopping 50%.

Best Accumulator Betting Strategies

Now that you fully understand the accumulator bet meaning, the next step is to work out how you are going to maximize your chance of success. Take a look at the below accumulator strategies:

Do Your Research

Research is crucial when it comes to placing accumulator bets, as without it, you are even unlikelier to win. Make sure you research each selection carefully, paying close attention to elements such as form, injuries, and context of the fixture.

Don’t Always Bet on the Favorite

When placing accumulator bets, people are always drawn to the favorites as they think this will give them the greatest chance of success. However, this results in much lower odds, and you can never guarantee that the favorite will win. You can find out more about how odds are calculated here.

Mix & Match Selections

When building your accumulator, you are generally allowed to include several different bet types. This enables you to add more variety to your bet and also to explore more betting markets and gain more experience.

Consider Acca Insurance

If you are worried about the higher risk with this type of betting, you may want to consider taking out acca insurance. This refunds your stake when only one of a 4+ fold bet slip loses, at the cost of reducing the total odds.

Cash Out Early

Some bookmakers allow you to cash out early on accumulator bets, enabling you to claim a part of the potential win. This is a good option for nervous gamblers or those who prefer to proceed with caution rather than take big risks.

Don’t Rely on Tipsters

If you always rely on the advice of betting experts and online tipsters, the chances are you are never going to get better at building accumulators. Instead, try to create your own betting model and take the time to get better at analyzing sporting events.

Spread Your Bet Over Several Days

Although you may be tempted to choose selections that take place on the same day to find out if you have won sooner, it is better to bet over an extended period. Not only can this be more rewarding, but it also makes for a smarter bet.

Extend Your Odds with Acca Promotions

The best online betting sites, like Bet365, will extend the odds the more legs you add on specific sports. This means larger accumulator bets on sports like NFL, soccer, or UFC can improve the odds you see. Do keep in mind that these larger bets are naturally harder to win, so wager appropriately.

Is Accumulator Betting Worth It?

If you prefer to lengthen the odds rather than wager on individual events at shorter odds, then placing accumulator bets is a good option for you. The perfect type of betting for anyone who enjoys the camaraderie of placing a wager with friends, an accumulator bet offers you the opportunity to win big money with small stakes.

To give yourself the best chance of success, make sure you take the time to research each of your selections and, if you are new to accumulator bets, make fewer selections until you become more confident in your abilities.

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Accumulator Bet FAQ

😁 What is an accumulator in betting?

The accumulator bet meaning is simple. An accumulator, also known as a parlay bet, is a type of bet where you combine several bets or selections into one single wager. The risk is greater with accumulator bets, but so are the potential rewards.

💸 How does a betting accumulator work?

An accumulator bet is generally considered to be one that contains a minimum of four selections. To be successful, all your selections must win. These types of bets are often more profitable as the odds are greater.

👍 Is an accumulator a good bet?

Yes, an accumulator is a good bet, especially for bettors who like to lengthen the odds and make each betting experience last longer. Also, the initial stakes tend to be lower, which attracts beginners and more cautious bettors.

🐎 How does each-way work on an accumulator?

An each-way accumulator combines both the elements of an accumulator bet and an each-way bet. This type of bet is most commonly used in horse racing, and to win, all selections need to win and place. One half of the stake applies to the win parts, the other on the each way.

🏈 How do you place successful accumulator bets?

You can increase the likelihood of placing a successful accumulator bet by being an expert in your chosen sporting event. Also, you place bets on multiple outcomes to improve your chances of a profit, whatever the result.