What Is a Flag Bet?
A Flag bet is made up of 23 individual bets from across 4 selections to maximise variation. First, the bettor is required to make their 4 selections. The Flag bet is then created by bundling 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold, and 6 up-and-down pairs (SSA pairs).
The bets in a Flag bet cover all potential outcomes (all 4 selections win, only 1 selection wins, selections 1 and 3 win, etc.). This makes it more likely that a bettor will see some return from their stake.
How Does a Flag Bet Calculator Work?
A Flag bet calculator does all of the complex math to show the user how their Flag bet would pay out in any given outcome. It takes the selections, odds, and stakes and calculates how much the return would be in a perfect situation — all selections winning.
The bettor can then use the calculator to figure out how much the bet would pay out in other scenarios, like if only one selection won.
Always keep in mind that a bet calculator can only show the potential payout from a bet, not the risks of placing that bet.
Example 1: Winning
Let’s use the FA Cup as an example. Your 4 selections to win are Tottenham (21/10), Newcastle (2/5), Blackburn (17/5), and Brighton (13/5).
If you placed a £5 stake on each bet for a £115 Flag bet, and all 4 of your selections won, you’d make a total profit of £1,354.63. If only the first 3 won, you’d make a profit of £278.68. The profit can vary dramatically depending on the odds for each selection.
Example 2: Losing
Using the same FA Cup examples, let’s look at some less positive outcomes. If Tottenham, Newcastle, and Blackburn lost, you would see a return of £39 on your £115 stake. If only Tottenham and Newcastle won, you’d receive a return of £81.50.
In both of these cases, the return is less than the stake, so there is no profit. However, it isn’t a total loss because of how a Flag bet works.
Benefits of Using a Flag Bet Calculator
There are many benefits to using a betting calculator before placing a bet. These are the three most important benefits. Flag bet calculators offer risk management, are efficient and accurate, and are accessible online.
Risk Management
Risk management is essential when placing bets. A Flag free bet calculator lets you see how much of your stake you’re risking when you place a Flag bet and how much you’re likely to win back in any outcome.
Efficient and Accurate
Even the most experienced bettors can occasionally get the math wrong. Flag bet calculators do all of the math calculations for you so that you can focus on making selections and enjoying the matches. They are faster than working out the outcomes yourself and highly accurate.
Accessible Online
Flag bet calculators are easy to find online. They are accessible from any device, which makes them ideal for checking your bets while you’re at the races or watching a match. Plus, they’re free.

Who Can Use a Flag Bet Calculator?
Flag bet calculators are a good tool for anyone placing a flag bet on any sporting event or competition. Since Flag bet calculators produce accurate results rapidly, bettors can make smarter bets without any delays. Everyone can benefit from the risk management provided by using a flag bet calculator.
Flag bet calculators are particularly useful for tournaments and events where there are multiple selections that the bettor is deciding between. Seeing the potential outcomes broken down mathematically gives bettors a better idea of which bets to place.
Flag bets can be placed on any sport where there are 4 selections to bet on. They are particularly popular bets for horse racing enthusiasts. Flag bet calculators can be used whenever a Flag bet is placed.
Novices
Flag bet calculators are ideal for novice bettors. Since Flag bets are complex bets, they can make novice bettors nervous. Flag bet calculators provide support to these bettors by showing how each bet could pay out for all possible outcomes. This can help novice bettors increase their confidence.
Veterans
Flag bet calculators are good for veteran bettors, too, because they streamline the calculation process. Veteran bettors know they can use their time better, making selections and analysing their options. Flag bet calculators also provide increased accuracy, and give an indication of how the bet will pay out under various circumstances.
Which Sports Can I Use Flag Bet Calculator for?
You can use a Flag bet calculator for any sport. It’s best used for sports where there are multiple events going on in close proximity. They’re very popular for horse racing, snooker, and football.
Flag bets are also popular with American sports, particularly the NFL, MLB, and NBA.
Which Competitions Can I Use Flag Bet Calculator for?
Flag bet calculators are ideal for tournaments. Since they are made of 4 selections, tournaments and playoffs, give plenty of opportunities for placing Flag bets. The FA Cup and the Champions League are two of the top football competitions for Flag bets.
Flag bet calculators are also popular for The Ashes, the Snooker World Championship, and major horse racing events. They are becoming more widely used for the NBA playoffs and the MLB World Series.
Why Should I Place a Flag Bet?
You should place a Flag bet if you have a good understanding of a sport and want the fun of a complex bet without a huge amount of risk that it won’t pay off. With a Flag bet, only one selection out of the four you pick has to be a winner for the bet to pay out.
The risk management offered by a Flag bet makes them a good choice for bettors who are building up to more complicated bets.
Flag bets are also a fun option for tournament betting. It makes watching every match more interesting if you have money riding on four teams instead of just the one you’re rooting for.
See Also
- Round Robin Bet Calculator: The bet is like a Flag bet, but on a smaller scale with only 3 selections. Use our calculator to learn about potential returns.
- Super Flag Bet Calculator: Add a fifth selection to your Flag bet to make it a Super Flag bet. Since it is even more difficult to calculate, feel free to use our calculator.
- Heinz Flag Bet Calculator: Having 57 bets is a recipe for an exciting bet and one that certainly needs a calculator.
FAQ
How does a Flag bet work?
A Flag bet is 23 bets across 4 selections. Any single win can earn a bettor a return. A Flag bet works by bundling multiple bets to get the maximum variation, increasing the likelihood of the bet paying out.
What is a Flag in horse racing?
A flag in horse racing can signal a hazard on the course, the start of a race, or refer to a Flag bet.
How do you get a return from a Flag bet?
When using a Flag bet return calculator, you get a return if at least one of your selections is a winner. The more selections are winners, the higher your return will be.