What is a System Bet?

You may have heard the term system bet and wondered what it means. Well it can mean two things in the world of betting.

The first is a type of multiple bet that breaks your selections into smaller combination bets so even if some selections lose you still get a return.

Unlike an accumulator (or parlay) where all selections have to win for a return, a system bet gives you more flexibility and reduces risk.

The second meaning of a system bet is a wager that is part of a betting system – a strategic approach to betting.

A betting system is a structured way to increase your chances of winning or manage risk better.

Examples of betting systems are the Fibonacci system, Kelly Criterion, value betting, arbitrage and matched betting.

Both meanings of system bets have their place in the betting world and understanding both can help you make more informed decisions.

Key Terms

Some of the key terms around system bets include:

Selections: The individual picks in a system bet.
Combinations: The different ways selections are grouped into smaller bets.
Units: The total number of bets in a system bet.

How System Bets Work – Multiples

Let’s have a look first at the meaning of system bets as multiple bets.

In this context a system bet involves selecting a set number of bets which are then automatically combined into multiple combinations.

Here’s a step by step breakdown:

Choose Your Selections: Pick two or more selections.
Select a System Bet Type: This determines how the combinations are formed.
Stake Distribution: The total stake is split across the different bet combinations.
Bet Outcome Calculation: Some or all bets in the system win and you get a return.

It can seem quite complicated at first, but when you have a chosen a certain number of selections, the bookies will then give you an option to formulate the bets into a system (multiple) bet.

These system bets can be formed in a variety of different ways, each with their own special name. Let’s take a look at some of those system bets now.

Types of System Bets

Some of the main types of system bets include:

Trixie (3 selections, 4 bets: 3 doubles, 1 treble) – A Trixie is a basic system bet and involves placing three doubles and one treble.
Patent (3 selections, 7 bets: 3 singles, 3 doubles, 1 treble) – A Patent involves placing more combinations for bigger returns.
Yankee (4 selections, 11 bets: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 fourfold) – A Yankee is a popular bet for horse racing and football.
Lucky 15 (4 selections, 15 bets: adds singles to a Yankee) – A Lucky 15 provides more ways to win than a Yankee, with singles being used as well as multiple bets.
Canadian/Super Yankee (5 selections, 26 bets) – A Super Yankee or Canadian bet is for those who like a balance of risk and return.
Heinz (6 selections, 57 bets) – A Heinz bet requires a bigger bankroll but gives multiple chances to win.
Goliath (8 selections, 247 bets) – A Goliath bet is an advanced system bet for those who like the potential of a big win.

There are other types of system bets, but these are the main ones normally used by punters today.

Pros of System Betting

There are both pros and cons to system bets. Firstly, the pros include:

Reduced Risk Betting: System bets have multiple combinations so even if one selection fails you still get a return.
More Frequent Payouts: Even if some selections lose you get a partial win in betting unlike accumulators where one loss means no payout.
Strategic Flexibility: You can customise your bets according to your risk tolerance by choosing different system bet types.
Ideal for Long-Term Bettors: By diversifying bets across multiple combinations system betting reduces variance making it ideal for long term betting strategies.
Hedge Betting with Systems: Some system bets allow you to hedge your risks so you get a return even in less than ideal outcomes.
Best for Sports with Unpredictable Outcomes: System betting is perfect for horse racing and football where unexpected results happen.
Boosts Bankroll Longevity: System bets provide more frequent wins so you manage your bankroll better over time.

Cons of System Betting

Whilst there are distinct advantages to system bets, there are also some cons. These include:

Higher Stakes Required: System bets involve multiple combinations, which means bettors must place more bets, leading to a higher overall stake – or a lower stake per bet if aiming to use the same total stake.
Lower Maximum Returns: Since winnings are spread across multiple bets rather than consolidated into one accumulator, the overall profit potential is lower.
Complexity in Calculation: Understanding how system bets work, particularly in terms of payouts, can be complicated, especially for beginners. Please read our full articles on each system bet above for complete explanations of how the various system bets work.
Bookmaker Margins Applied Multiple Times: Each individual bet within a system bet is subject to bookmaker margins, which can reduce profitability.
Risk of Small Returns: If only a few selections win, the payout may not be enough to cover the total stake, leading to a net loss despite winning some bets.
Overconfidence in Safety: Some bettors assume that system bets are risk-free because they allow for partial wins, but losses can still accumulate over time if selections consistently underperform.

Calculation Method for System Bets

The number of combinations in a system bet is calculated by the formula for combinations:

Combinations = Selections! / (Group Size! * (Selections – Group Size)!)
Example: A Yankee bet (4 selections, all possible doubles, trebles and a fourfold) has 11 bets.

Bookmakers also provide system bet calculators to help you work out your potential returns based on your stake and odds.

Betting Systems and Strategies

The other meaning for system bet is a wager that is part of a betting system.

A betting system is a structured approach to betting that follows rules or patterns. So a system bet would be one bet that makes up part of a structured, systematic approach to betting.

Some popular betting systems are:

Fibonacci Betting System: This system follows the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.) where each stake is the sum of the previous two stakes. You increase your bet after a loss to recoup previous losses but it’s less aggressive than the Martingale system. It’s often used in football and roulette betting.
Kelly Criterion: This system calculates the optimal stake based on the probability of success and expected return. It helps you manage your bankroll and not over-bet. For example if a football team has a 60% chance of winning the Kelly Criterion would suggest staking a proportion of your bankroll based on the expected value of the bet.
Value Betting: This is where you identify bets where the bookmaker’s odds are higher than the true probability of an event happening. You use statistical models to determine if a bet is value and then bet accordingly. For example if a horse is priced at 5.0 (20% implied probability) but has a 25% chance of winning this would be a value bet.
Matched Betting: This low-risk betting strategy takes advantage of bookmaker promotions, such as free bets and bonuses, by covering all possible outcomes of an event using a betting exchange. For example, a bettor might use a free bet to back Team A at a bookmaker while simultaneously laying Team A on a betting exchange, ensuring a guaranteed profit regardless of the match result. Matched betting is popular among bettors looking for a consistent and low-risk way to make money from promotions.
Arbitrage Betting: Arbitrage involves placing bets on all possible outcomes of an event across multiple bookmakers to guarantee a profit. For example if one bookmaker offers 2.10 on Team A and another 2.10 on Team B a bettor could place bets on both and get a guaranteed return regardless of the outcome.
Lay Betting Systems: These are used on betting exchanges where you bet against an outcome instead of for it. For example you would lay a horse at 3.0 meaning you profit if the horse loses. Lay betting systems are used in horse racing and football markets.

So in essence a system bet could be any bet that forms part of one of these system – or any other type of betting system.

These systems can also be used in conjunction with system bets to create structured, disciplined betting.

Conclusion

The term system bet means both structured multiple bets and betting systems. System bets provide a way to reduce risk and still get profits even when not all selections win, compared to simple accumulators.

Betting systems offer disciplined approaches to betting to help you manage your bankroll and optimise your long term success.

Now you know both types of system betting, you can make better decisions, choose the right strategy and potentially get consistent wins.

Whether using a system bet for combination betting or applying a system like the Kelly Criterion or value betting these will help you approach sports betting in a more structured way.