Let’s imagine this situation: it is a Premier League matchday, and you wish to wager on three matches and put all three selections on the same bet slip. All that’s left is to decide on the type of bet.
The first thing you should know is that not every three-selection bet is the same. The most risky one is a three-fold accumulator (or a treble bet), where you’d need all your selections to win to get a return on your bet.
If you’d like a less risky option, then a Trixie bet could be your choice. So, what is a Trixie bet, and what should you know about it?
How Does a Trixie Bet Work?
A Trixie bet is a three-selection bet, made up of four separate bets. The three selections (A, B and C) form three double bets and one treble: AB, BC, AC and ABC. That’s the structure, but how does a Trixie bet work?
Since there are no single bets in a Trixie, you’d need at least two selections to win to get some return from your wager. It doesn’t matter which two selections, but it’s better if it’s the ones with better odds. The best-case scenario is, of course, that all three selections win, and you get a full return.
These multiple bets are commonly used for betting on sports or events where there are multiple matches or races in a day, such as a football or basketball league. It is also a good solution for horse racing, especially since you can make your selections into each-way bets.
From Theory to Practice: Trixie Bet Example
Remember the Trixie bet example from the beginning of this text with three Premier League matches you wish to bet on this weekend? Well, let’s add them to an imaginary Trixie bet to see how your bet would work in practice.
The first market you choose has odds of 2.50, the second has odds of 2.25, and the third has odds of 3.10. Your total wager is €100 (€25 per individual bet). If all three selections win, that means that all four bets of your Trixie win, and you get a €944.69 total return on your bet.
If the 2.50 selection loses, your return drops to €174.38 because only one double bet wins, so the calculation goes: 25*2.25*3.10. We advise you to use our Trixie bet calculator to calculate the potential returns for all the combinations in your bet.
If you find a horse race to bet on, or multiple races in a day, the principle will be the same. If you make your selections each way and include the place bets as well, the calculation will change, so you should consult the calculator again to figure out your potential winnings.
Trixie vs Patent Bet – What’s the Difference?
The first thing you should know is that both Trixie and Patent bets are three-selection bets. However, they work differently in a way that the three selections form four bets in a Trixie, and seven bets in a Patent.
The difference is that there are no single bets in a Trixie, but there are three singles in a Patent, alongside three doubles and one treble bet that we also find in a Trixie.
Another difference is that your total stake is then divided into seven parts to cover the wager on each bet in a Patent, making your potential return lower than that from a Trixie bet.
While you need at least two selections to win to get something back from a Trixie bet, only one selection needs to be victorious to get a small return on a Patent bet. It does mean that you get at least something back from your wager, but that is a small part of your stake.
Trixie Bet: the Good, the Bad, and the Risky
We have covered the basics so far, so you have a Trixie bet explained and an example that shows you how it works in practice. But how does it fare when compared to other bet types with the same number of selections?
Three-selection bets are a Trixie bet, a Patent bet and a treble. They are all different types of bets in many aspects, and picking the right one will depend on your preference and the amount of risk you are willing to take for potentially making a profit.
Here’s a short comparison between these types of bets:
- A Patent could be considered slightly less risky than a Trixie because you only need one selection to win to get a small return on your bet.
- Your profit would be smaller from a Patent than from a Trixie bet, even if all three of your selections won.
- Treble is the most risky of the three, as you need all your selections to win to get a payout from your wager.
- Since treble is the most risky, it therefore carries the biggest potential return on your wager in the short term.
While one type of bet is suitable in one situation, it might not be the best solution for a different occasion. Make sure to assess the risk and the potential return to decide on the best option for you and the bet you are looking to make.
Smart Betting: When to Go with a Trixie
If you are looking for a bet that is less risky than a treble bet, but potentially a little more profitable than a Patent, then Trixie could be the right choice for you.
Here are some useful tips on how to place a Trixie bet:
- Ensure that the bookmaker you chose allows Trixies, as not all of them do.
- Pick a sport you wish to bet on and find the events. Trixies are suitable for all sports, and they could be especially attractive for horse racing bettors.
- Set a budget for betting before making your bet. Don’t forget that your stake will be divided into four equal parts to cover all four bets in a Trixie.
- Pick the three selections you wish to add to your bet, and select the Trixie bet.
- Place your bet and wait for the outcome.
Our advice is to go with a Trixie when you are not entirely confident that your selections are going to be victorious, but you are willing to give them a try. Of course, the nature of sports betting is such that there is always risk involved, it’s just a matter of how much you wish to risk.
If even a Trixie seems too risky, consider finding different selections with lower odds. If you wish to remain with your original selection, opt for a Patent, but prepare for lower potential returns.
