If you’ve ever wondered what a Yankee bet is, how they work, and how to calculate potential winnings, Betway’s handy guide has all the answers for you.
How many bets are in a Yankee?
A Yankee is a four-selection wager that consists of 11 different bets: six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold accumulator bet.
It is very similar to a Lucky 15, but doesn’t include the four singles element.
A Yankee bet is also not to be confused with a Canadian bet, also known as a Super Yankee.
Reading on, our guide to Yankee bets explain how they work, how to calculate a Yankee, and the sports you can bet on.
How does a Yankee bet work?
By placing a Yankee, you don’t need all four of your selections to win to receive a payout.
Let’s use the following as an example:
Horse A to win the 13:50
Horse B to win the 14:30
Horse C to win the 15:10
Horse D to win the 15:50
Should Horse A and Horse B be your only winning selections, you would be paid out on the one double that they create. Everything else would be a loser.
If Horse A, Horse B and Horse C all win, you would be paid out on the three doubles and one treble that those selections create.
If Horse A, Horse B, Horse C and Horse D all win, you would be paid out on the six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold that those selections create.
How much does a Yankee bet cost?
The stake that you enter into your betslip when placing a Yankee will be multiplied by 11 to cover all of the bets that you are effectively placing.
That means that it is always worth double-checking what you are actually staking before you place your bet.
How do you calculate a Yankee bet?
Take the following example:
In this example, the £1 stake will cost £11, because you’re placing £1 x 11 outcomes.
Lossiemouth and Lucky Place create a 39/1 double. Should they win but the other two selections lose, your payout would therefore be £40.
Lossiemouth, Lucky Place, and Fact to File create a 79/1 treble, as well as 39/1, 29/1, and 47/1 doubles. Should they win, but the fourth selection loses, your payout would be £117.
Lossiemouth, Il Est Francais, Lucky Place, and Fact to File create a 1319/1 fourfold, as well as four trebles and six doubles. Should they win, your payout would be £2,413.50.
The total potential winnings displayed in your betslip will be what you would receive if all of your six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold landed, with winnings deducted if any of those don’t win.
Consider using our online betting calculator to determine the worth of your Yankee bet before you place it.
What are the benefits of Yankee bets?
There are numerous advantages of choosing a Yankee bet over singles, doubles, trebles, and more. For instance:
Multiple bets: With a Yankee bet, you can include various betting options in one slip.
Potential for high returns: With a Yankee, the high number of bet combinations means that, if all your picks win, you can see significant returns.
You don’t need all winners: Unlike a straight double, treble, or accumulator, with a Yankee bet, you can still earn returns even if you don’t win on all your selections.
Use across multiple sports: One of the best things about Yankee betting is your slip can include bets from across different sports, from football and horse racing to rugby and tennis.
Additionally, if you enjoy the strategy aspect of sports betting, you may prefer the more complex calculations that come from a Yankee, compared to a standard acca. Though, of course, to simplify matters, simply check out our bet calculator!
Can I place an each-way Yankee?
Yes, placing an each-way Yankee work in exactly the same way. All you need to do is click the ‘E/W’ box next to Yankee on the betslip.
When placing an each-way Yankee though, the number of bets you are placing is doubled from 11 to 22. In effect, you are backing all of them twice – once for all of them to win, and again for all of them to place.
That means that the stake you enter into the betslip is multiplied by 22 rather than 11, so double-check before placing your bet.
Alternatively, you may want to back some of your horses to win and others each-way.
In that instance, simply tick the ‘E/W’ box next to your horse in the betslip. The number of bets that you are placing then remains at 11.
For more information, we’ve got a guide all about each way betting.
What happens to a Yankee bet with a non-runner?
If a Yankee includes a non-runner, all 11 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.
One non-runner and three winners in a four-fold would see you paid out to the value of the treble that the three winners create.
What sports can you place a Yankee bet on?
A Yankee is commonly placed on horse racing, but can be used for any sports or across a combination of sports so long as you can make four selections across four different events.
How does a Yankee bet work in horse racing?
To place a Yankee in horse racing, simply select the four horses that you fancy across four different races, select the Yankee bet option, and you will receive a payout if at least two of them win.
How does a Yankee bet work in football?
There are many available markets in football, but Yankee betting works exactly the same way here as horse racing.
Simply make any selection from four different matches (i.e. win/draw/win, BTTS, anytime goalscorers), select the option for a Yankee bet, and you will receive a payout if at least two of them win.
Now that you understand Yankee bets, maybe it’s time to get familiar with other betting terms? If you’re a betting novice, our guide on how betting odds work is a good place to start!
