- An accumulator combines multiple selections into a single bet, with winnings rolled over to the next selection.
What Is an Accumulator?
An accumulator bet, also known as an “acca” (or “parlay” in the USA) is similar to a treble bet in that it combines multiple selections into a single bet. However, accumulators can include any number of selections, not just three. The more selections included in the accumulator, the higher the potential payout, but the harder it becomes to win the bet.
To place an accumulator bet, the bettor selects multiple events or games they want to bet on and places a wager on all of them. For example, in basketball, a bettor might place an accumulator bet on the winners of five separate games. All five teams would have to win their respective matches for the bettor to win the accumulator bet.
If one of the selections loses, the entire bet is lost. However, some bookmakers offer “accumulator insurance,” where the bettor receives a refund or a free bet if only one selection loses. This can be a way to minimise losses while still having the chance to win big with multiple selections.
Accumulator bets are especially popular in sports such as football or horse racing, where there are often several matches or races taking place at the same time.
It’s important to note that accumulator bets are much riskier than single bets or even treble bets because of the increased number of selections involved. However, there are significant payouts if all selections win.
Example
Let’s say you place a £10 accumulator bet on five horse races with odds of 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0.
- If all five horses win their respective races, the total return will be £7,200 (£10 x 2.0 x 3.0 x 4.0 x 5.0 x 6.0), with £7,190 profit.
- If any horse loses, the entire bet is lost.
- If one race is canceled or declared void, the bettor will usually receive a payout based on the odds of the remaining selections.
Another way of looking at it is that the winnings from the first bet (£20) are rolled onto the second bet at 3.0, then those winnings (£60) are rolled onto the third bet at 4.0, and so on until the fifth bet at 6.0.
What to Look for in an Accumulator
When placing an accumulator bet, consider the following to increase your chances of a successful outcome:
Value Odds
Seek out selections that are undervalued by the bookmaker. This occurs when the odds assigned to the selections are higher than they should be, providing you with a better chance to win and a higher potential payout.
Number of Selections
Carefully consider the number of selections to include in your accumulator. While adding more selections increases the potential payout, it also makes the bet harder to win. Aim for a balance between potential reward and the likelihood of success.
Insurance & Cash Out
Accumulators are high-risk, high-reward bets. To mitigate potential losses, consider using accumulator insurance or Cash Out options, if your bookmaker offers those features.
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