Betting sites are awash with different bet types that allow punters to wager on a number of different events across the sportsbook.
For those looking for a more exotic bet and who might be tempted by accumulator bets, bet builders or a number of other bets with multiple legs, a Yankee bet could be what they are after.
It can be a bit confusing with all the different terms thrown around so here is a guide to the Yankee bet, explaining how a Yankee bet works and how to place one.
A Yankee bet explained
A Yankee bet is a form of accumulator or bet builder. In simple terms, it is one bet that includes a number of smaller wagers known as legs.
A Yankee bet is a wager that includes 11 bets involving four selections, broken down as such: six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold accumulator.
It is a popular choice among bettors, especially those looking for different ways to bet on horse racing.
How does a Yankee bet work?
A Yankee bet works when a punter makes four selections on a betting app or desktop site and creates combinations to craft 11 individual bets.
Using a Yankee, the four selections will create six double bets, four treble bets and one fourfold bet.
It is not like an accumulator in that each of the 11 bets operates on its own, so if one selection loses then other combinations could still come in. However, you need to wager the same amount on each of the 11 legs, so if a £1 stake is placed on each leg then the total bet will be £11.
An example of a Yankee Bet would be to bet on four horses across four races:
Selection |
Odds |
1. Horse A to win |
2/1 |
2. Horse B to win |
Evs |
3. Horse C to win |
3/1 |
4. Horse D to win |
6/1 |
Here are the 11 combinations this horse racing Yankee would create, including each payout based on a £1 stake on each leg:
Doubles
1. Horse A (2/1) + B (Evs) to win = £6
2. Horse A (2/1) + C (3/1) to win = £12
3. Horse A (2/1) + D (6/1) to win = £21
4. Horse B (Evs) + D (6/1) to win = £14
5. Horse B (Evs) + C (3/1) to win = £8
6. Horse C (3/1) + D (6/1) to win = £28
Trebles
7. Horse A (2/1), B (Evs) + C (3/1) to win = £24
8. Horse A (2/1), B (Evs) + D (6/1) to win = £42
9. Horse A (2/1), C (3/1) + D (6/1) to win = £84
10. Horse B (Evs), C (3/1) and D (6/1) to win = £56
Fourfold
11. Horse A, B C and D win = £168
Total return if all 11 bets win = £463
To work out a Yankee, you have to multiply each individual price within each bet, then once you’ve done it for all 11 selections, add it together to get your odds. You’ll find there are various Yankee bet calculators that can help you work out your returns.
Why choose a Yankee bet?
There are various types of multiple bets available on established and new betting sites that feature combinations of doubles, trebles and more, such as Lucky 15s, Heinz and Canadians.
The Yankee is similar to a Lucky 15, although the latter features singles and a Yankee does not.
A Yankee bet features fewer bets than the other well-known multiple types and, therefore, may suit a bettor with a smaller bankroll.
The biggest advantage of a Yankee is the potential for a profit on your original stake even if two of your selections lose. In that regard, it offers greater flexibility than an accumulator, which requires all your bets to win to return a profit.
The Yankee bet is most commonly found in horse racing, but can also be used in other sports, such as football.
How to place a Yankee bet online
Step 1: Choose an online bookmaker from the Independent’s list of recommended horse racing betting sites.
Step 2: Click the section which says sign up or join.
Step 3: Fill in your personal details as part of the registration process.
Step 4: Deposit an initial amount into your account, making sure to comply with any requirements to unlock any free bets.
Step 5: Add four selections to your bet slip and find the multiple options.
Step 6: Select Yankee from the list of multiple options and select your stake. Remember, this stake is for each leg of the Yankee, so 11 bets in total.
Yankee betting tips
Given you’ll need four selections to make up a Yankee, you’ll need to spend a bit more time than usual researching each of your potential bets.
If you are going for three short-priced selections, you may want to consider the fourth leg of the Yankee being a slightly bigger price to give you a better chance of a return on your doubles should two of the legs lose.
Always use a Yankee bet calculator to work our your returns and how much you’ll need to stake to secure the potential profit you are after.
Finally, remember that you stand to lose 11 times more on a Yankee than you would a four-fold accumulator so have a staking plan in mind.
Responsible gambling
Customers must ensure they follow responsible gambling practices from the second they sign up for a bookmaker online. Even if you’re knowledgeable about horse racing any bet can still lose.
Betting is not a way to make money online and should only ever be considered a form of entertainment. Set budgets and always remain in control.
Whether you think you know how to bet on horses or not, you may want to take advantage of the responsible gambling tools offered by bookmakers to stay in control, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options.
Should you wish to seek help for gambling-related issues, there are multiple charities and healthcare providers who offer support and information:
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