Yankee Bet

What is a Yankee Bet?

A Yankee Bet is a type of combination wager that has a total of 11 separate bets of equal value. Here we explain how you can make and calculate a Yankee Bet.

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You may also see a Yankee Bet explained as a wager on four separate events. This is because you make four selections to create a bet with one fourfold, four trebles and six doubles.

With one event less than a Canadian Bet – where you pick five selections – Yankee Betting is available across a wide range of sports. It’s most common in horse racing betting however, where hedging via options like Patent Bets is popular in order to cover any losses.

It’s possible to make a profit on a Yankee Bet with just two of your four selections coming in. To win the full amount, all four picks must be correct. Here we explain how you can make and calculate a Yankee Bet.

How do you make a Yankee Bet?

To make a Yankee Bet, first you pick four selections. In horse racing, this means choosing four horses in four different races.

After adding your picks to your betslip, you can then specify you want to place a Yankee Bet. You should see Yankee (x11), which means your total stake will be 11 times the figure you enter in the Yankee box. This is to cover the 11 separate bets you’re placing, as follows:

Bet 1 – Horse 1 and Horse 2 double

Bet 2 – Horse 1 and Horse 3 double

Bet 3 – Horse 1 and Horse 4 double

Bet 4 – Horse 2 and Horse 3 double

Bet 5 – Horse 2 and Horse 4 double

Bet 6 – Horse 3 and Horse 4 double

Bet 7 – Horse 1, Horse 2 and Horse 3 treble

Bet 8 – Horse 1, Horse 2 and Horse 4 treble

Bet 9 – Horse 1, Horse 3 and Horse 4 treble

Bet 10 – Horse 2, Horse 3 and Horse 4 treble

Bet 11 – Horse 1, Horse 2, Horse 3 and Horse 4 fourfold

A standard Yankee Bet is win only, meaning you have to pick a winning selection. If you want to hedge your bets further, you can choose an each way Yankee.

In racing, this means your Yankee Bet can still pay out in the event a runner only places rather than wins. Your total stake will double as there are now 22 selections, but your returns will also increase with an extra layer of protection built in.

How do you calculate a Yankee Bet?

To calculate a Yankee Bet, it’s simply a question of combining the odds from each of the 11 individual bets your selections make up.

For a win only Yankee, there are six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold. Using our horse racing example again, you can work out your total odds by using three calculations:

Double bet = Horse 1 odds x Horse 2 odds

Treble bet = Horse 1 odds x Horse 2 odds x Horse 3 odds

Fourfold = Horse 1 odds x Horse 2 odds x Horse 3 x Horse 4 odds

To work out the returns of a Yankee Bet, it’s simply a case of adding your stake into the equation. To make the maths simple, let’s say you want to stake £10 on each selection within the Yankee, and all the horses have odds of 2/1.

Double bet – £10 x (2/1 + 1) x (2/1 + 1) = Total return £90 / Total profit £80

Treble bet – £10 x (2/1 + 1) x (2/1 + 1) x (2/1 + 1) = Total return £270 / Total profit £260

Fourfold – £10 x (2/1 + 1) x (2/1 + 1) x (2/1 + 1) x (2/1 + 1) = Total return £810 / Total profit £800

Adding together each leg gives you your total returns. Here this means six doubles worth £540, four trebles at £1,080 and an £810 fourfold. That’s a total return of £2,430 and a profit of £2,320.

As working out the maths is time consuming, using a Yankee Bet calculator is the best way to understand your returns on this kind of bet. Instead of having to figure out the returns on each leg in turn, you simply enter your selections, odds and stake into a Yankee calculator for instant results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of a Yankee Bet?

A Yankee Bet gives you a higher probability of winning than a standard accumulator. Only two of your four selections must come in to deliver a return, and potentially a profit. Yankee Betting is a form of hedge betting, so it’s especially popular for selections with high odds - particularly if you choose an each way Yankee Bet.

What are the disadvantages of a Yankee Bet?

Yankee Bets have lower odds than a typical accumulator, although this is mitigated by the reduced risk to your stake. Another disadvantage of a Yankee Bet could be that you’re making 11 separate bets. This means that if at least two of your selections don’t come in, then you lose on all 11 bets, rather than just one.

In what sports can you make a Yankee Bet?

It’s possible to place Yankee Bets across a wide range of sports, although this type of betting is most popular in horse racing. Yankee Betting is a common form of hedge betting, which is useful when wagering on horses that may come with relatively high odds. This is less risky than placing a straight accumulator bet.

How many bets are there in a Yankee Bet?

A Yankee Bet has a total of 11 bets - one fourfold, four trebles and six doubles. In order to collect the maximum winnings from a Yankee Bet, all four selections making up the 11 bets must come in. A minimum of two winning selections provide a return, with the odds of those determining whether a profit is made.

What are double and treble bets?

Double and treble bets are straight combination bets where all of the selections must be successful. There’s only one possible outcome - win or lose. Both legs of a double must come in to win, and all three legs of a treble. Any one leg failing to come in means a losing bet.

Can you make a Yankee Bet each way?

Yes, you can make a Yankee Bet each way. Whereas your selections must come in to qualify as a winning leg of your win only Yankee Bet, they only need to place in order to qualify for an each way Yankee Bet. The total stake is double a win only Yankee, but the returns are higher and there’s more protection.

What is a Super Yankee Bet?

Also known as a Super Canadian, a Super Yankee Bet adds one more selection to a standard Yankee Bet. This means you must make five selections, which give you a total of 26 bets - one fivefold, five fourfolds, 10 trebles and 10 doubles.

How is a Yankee Bet different to a Lucky 15 Bet?

A Yankee Bet consists of four selections that make 11 bets - one fourfold, four trebles and six doubles. A Lucky 15 Bet adds four singles to that. At least two selections must come in for a Yankee Bet to pay out, whereas only one needs to come in for a return on a Lucky 15 Bet.