For more information on other horse racing terms, check out our glossary.

What is a Patent bet?

A Patent is a type of multiple bet which comprises seven bets placed on three different selections. The seven bets are made up of:

• 3 singles
• 3 doubles
• 1 treble

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 an example of a Patent bet, comprising 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, 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 four 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.

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).

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 win. 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.

How do you calculate a Patent bet?

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 one horse wins, for example Horse A, then just that single will bet would win. In this case, the payout would be £11.

If two horses win, for example Horse A and Horse B, then two singles and one double would win, making the payout £112.

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 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.

Can I place 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.

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.

Visit Betway's horse racing betting page.