If you’re looking to have the details of a patent bet explained in simple terms, read our guide for all you need to know about what they offer.
How many bets are in a Patent?
A Patent is a type of multiple bet which comprises seven bets placed on three different selections – not to be mistaken with a Trixie bet, which includes three selections but just four bets! The seven bets in a Patent are:
3 singles
3 doubles
1 treble
The number of bets in a Patent is always the same, so there’s no adding or removing selections – unless you place an each-way Patent, in which case you’ll include bets for both winning and placing.
How many bets are in an each-way Patent?
Yes, all you need to do is click the ‘E/W’ box next to ‘Patent’ on your betslip. When placing an each-way Patent, the number of bets you are placing is doubled from 7 to 14. In effect, you are backing all of your selections twice – once To Win, and again to place.
Alternatively, you may want to back some of your horses to win and others to place. In that instance, tick the ‘E/W’ box next to the horse you’re backing to place in your betslip. The number of bets that will be in your Patent will remain at seven.
How does a Patent bet work?
A Patent bet combines the longer odds and big-win potential of a multiple bet with additional coverage which – thanks to the inclusion of single bets – ensures you’ll receive some return if just one of your chosen selections is a winner.
While the return for just one of the three selections winning is liable to be less than the initial stake, the payout if all three win will be larger than in the case of an equivalent treble, because the doubles and single bets will pay out in addition to the treble.
Here’s a Patent bet example made up of the following three selections:
Horse A To Win the 13:50
Horse B To Win the 14:30
Horse C To Win the 15:10
In addition to the three individual single bets, the Patent includes three doubles (Horse A and Horse B To Win; Horse B and Horse C To Win; and Horse C and Horse A To Win), and a treble on all three horses to win, to make the total of seven bets.
Should only one of horse A, B or C win, you will be paid out on the corresponding single bet. The other six bets would lose.
If two of the three horses win, you would be paid out on not only the two corresponding single bets, but also the double formed from those two selections. The other four bets would lose.
If all three of the horses win, you would be paid out on all seven bets – three singles, three doubles and the treble.
Your payout depends on the odds given when you placed your bet, based on chances of your chosen picks winning – so make sure you’re familiar with reading betting odds before placing your stake.
How do you calculate a Patent bet?
With so many different outcomes in one package, calculating your bet can seem confusing at first. If you’re wondering how to work out a Patent bet, follow this example to see how much your stake can pay out.
Take the following £1 per line (£7 overall) Patent bet:
Horse A To Win the 13:50 @ 10/1
Horse B To Win the 14:30 @ 8/1
Horse C To Win the 15:10 @ 3/1
If just Horse A wins, then just that single will bet would win. In this case, the payout would be £11 (including your £7 stake, you make a £4 profit).
If two horses win, for example Horse A and Horse B, then two singles and one double would win, making the payout £119 (£112 profit).
If all three horses win, then all three singles, all three doubles and the one treble would win, making the payout £599.
Consider using an online Patent betting calculator before placing your bet, which will illustrate the potential payouts for each outcome based on your own exact per line stake and the odds of your selections.
How much does a Patent bet cost?
Each of the seven bets within the Patent is treated as a ‘line’, meaning each incurs its own cost and your ‘per line’ stake is multiplied by seven to give you the total cost of the patent.
For example, if you stake £5 per line on a Patent, the total cost of the bet would be £35 (£5 x 7).
Because you’re placing what is essentially seven separate bets, Patent betting means you can still earn a payout even if all your selections don’t win. While you may not earn your original stake back from a single win, the potential for earnings can be huge if you correctly bet on multiple outcomes.
Patent bets in different sports
Patent betting is available across many sports, meaning you can spread your chances of winning across a variety of events. Here are some examples of popular sports to place Patents on:
How does a Patent bet work in horse racing?
The first Patent bets were placed on horse races, and racing remains the most popular sport for Patent betting today. It works exactly as in our example above. Simply select the three horses that you fancy across three different races, with only one horse needing to win to see a return. The more horses that win, the more you’ll get in return.
How does a Patent bet work in football?
It’s becoming increasingly popular to place Patent bets bet on football. In essence, this works in the same way – simply make a selection from each three different matches, and you’ll receive a payout if only one of your selections wins. The more selections that come in, the more you’ll win.
The beauty of Patent football bets is that your selections aren’t restricted to winner markets. Whether it be Win/Draw/Win, Both Teams To Score (BTTS) or another market, any selection – and any mix of selections – can be added to your Patent.
What happens to a Patent with a non-runner?
If a Patent bet includes a non-runner, all seven bets still stand. One non-runner and one winner in a double would see you paid out to the value of the single winner. One non-runner and two winners in a treble would see you paid out to the value of the double that the two winners create.
To place a Patent bet with Betway, select three events to bet on from our sportsbook, then choose your stake in the ‘Patent’ section of your betslip. Our site will show you the total possible returns before you pay, helping you find your perfect bet!
Or stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.
