What is an accumulator bet? Acca betting explained
This article takes a closer look at the accumulator bet and examines how to maximise this particular betting approach.
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What is an accumulator bet?
An accumulator bet meaning: this is a wager featuring more than one selection. Two picks would more typically be referred to as a 'double' and three choices is a 'treble' – the term accumulator bet is most commonly used for a wager with four selections or more.
It's a bet that requires all the picks to win (or place if it's an each-way accumulator bet). The returns from one selection roll on to the next, and so on. The winnings can quickly 'accumulate' – even from relatively small stakes – and the bet is settled either on the first loser or, ideally, when all selections have won (or placed if it's an each-way accumulator).
An accumulator bet, which is often referred to as an 'acca', is one of the most popular wagers around, particularly when it comes to horse racing, tennis and for a football bet.
You can have as many selections as is reasonably possible, so the odds and potential payout can quickly build up – although the more picks, the harder the bet becomes to and successfully.
As it's a bet that requires all of the picks to win, it's often best suited to short-price selections, unless you're coming at it from an each-way angle.
The accumulator football bet is enormously popular and, likewise, when it comes to horse racing the accumulator bet can be a good way to get with some of the big names at a meeting such as the Cheltenham Festival or Royal Ascot.
Accumulator bet example
Still getting to grips with the accumulator bet meaning? Let's take a look at a football bet accumulator for this example.
At this point it's important to point out these events, matches and races – or whatever you're betting on – can take place simultaneously or overlap. It only matters that the accumulator bet is placed before the first selection(s) start.
It should also be mentioned that they are not restricted to any one sport at a time. You could combine a football bet with a horse racing pick, a tennis match, the darts and so on.
Anyway, on with the accumulator bet example. We're looking at four football matches – with the correct selections.
Bet: £1 at 11.6/1 (cumulative)
Returns: £12.60
Liverpool to beat Bournemouth @ 2/5
£1 at 2/5 would see £1.40 rolling on to the next leg – that's the £1 stake plus £0.40p 'winnings'.
Man City to beat Wolves @ 1/2
£1.40 at 1/2 would see £2.10 rolling on to the next pick – the £1.40 stake plus £0.70p 'winnings'.
Man Utd to beat Arsenal @ 2/1
£2.10 at 2/1 would see £6.30 rolling on to the next one – that's the £2.10 stake plus £4.20 'winnings'.
Leeds to beat Everton @ evens (1/1)
£6.30 at evens (1/1) would return a collectable amount of £12.60 – that's the £6.30 stake plus £6.30 'winnings'.
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Different accumulator bet types
An accumulator bet is any straight win or each-way wager that features more than one selection, and from four picks onwards it's known by the number of selections involved, as the table below shows.
While there is no limit on the number of selections that there can be in a bet accumulator, the more there are, the more there is a chance of one pick letting you down.
What is an accumulator bet calculator?
As the odds build in an accumulator bet, it can be difficult to keep track of the potential payout and that's where an accumulator bet calculator can come in handy.
All bookmakers will note the cumulative odds for selections and the possible return, but it can also be helpful to use an accumulator bet calculator where you can input the exact details of your bet – prices, win or each-way – and see the potential winnings.
A number of accumulator bet calculators can be found online and Paddy Power is one bookmaker that has its own bet calculator.
What is an each-way accumulator bet?
An each-way bet accumulator means you can still be paid out even if your selections don't win, just as long as they finish within the pre-set place parameters.
An each-way bet is double the stake of a straight win bet, so a £1 each-way bet totals £2. This will see half of the stake go on the win odds, and the other half to place, usually at between ½ to ⅕ of the win odds. So, a £10 each-way bet totals £20 (£10 win, £10 place) and so on.
Of course, an each-way bet accumulator isn't possible on football matches when there are only the win and draw outcomes – but you might want to pick a few teams in an outright league or cup market, for which bookmakers may be offering place terms.
For instance, for a football bet accumulator, most bookmakers pay two places on the outright Premier League winner, likewise for the FA Cup, with three places on the Championship, League One and League Two.
The savvy punter may be looking at accumulator bets beyond just the idea of all selections winning, which can be difficult, and instead be looking for all of them all to finish within the designated places. The returns can still quickly add up and all the selections winning would be a (big) bonus.
The place angle can be a particularly effective punting approach on sports with generous each-way terms, such as horse racing, in which bookmakers offer 'extra' places over and above the industry standards.
Each-way accumulator bet example
Let's take a look at an each-way accumulator bet example across a few different football leagues, where the win part of the bet falls short but all the selections place.
Bet: £1 each-way (£2 total)
Returns: £12
Arsenal to win the Premier League @ 3/1
Arsenal finish second, so the win part of the bet is down (even if all the other selections win), but the place part of bet is alive, as follows: ⅓ odds, £1 each-way returns £2
Ipswich to win the Championship @ 4/1
Ipswich finish top, but the win part of the bet is already down. Still, the each-way part of the bet lands, as follows: ¼ odds, £2 to place returns £4
Luton to win League One @ 2/1
Luton finish third, so the each-way part of the bet continues, as follows: ¼ odds, £4 to place, returns £6
How to place an accumulator bet with bet365:
If you're not already an existing customer, sign up using the bet365 bonus code TMG30 and get up to £30 in free bets.
Make a deposit.
Click on two or more selections and these will appear in your betslip.
Choose the relevant 'multiple' bet option and enter the desired stake.
Tick e/w box if you want this to be an each-way bet accumulator (this will double your stake).
Click 'place bet'.
If your bet is successful, the returns will show up in your balance and you can click into your account to withdraw your winnings.
Useful offers with an accumulator bet
Many bookmakers have special betting offers related to acca bets, such as the following:
Acca Freeze from Sky Bet
Sky Bet's Acca Freeze gives you the ability to freeze a winning score, in play, on a match result acca of five legs or more for a maximum stake of £20. Once you've chosen a leg to freeze, it will be settled as a winner even if the other team goes on to win the match.
100% Acca Boost from bet365
Place an acca of two or more selections on qualifying markets across any main football and tennis competitions worldwide, as well as the major US sports and leagues and more. If your bet is successful, an additional 2.5-100 per cent will be added to your winnings. The percentage amount is dependent on the number of selections.
Acca Insure from Ladbrokes
Get money back as a free bet up to £/€10 if one football team lets you down in your first two qualifying accumulators of the day. This applies to a five+ Team Acca from the following markets: match result, both teams to score, match result and both teams to score, correct score, over/under total goals or 2Up & Win.
Acca Flex from Betfred
If you land a pre-match or in-play football acca of five-plus legs, you can get a cash bonus ranging from 2.5-100%. The percentage amount is dependent on the number of selections. And if one leg lets you down, you can get money back in cash up to £10 with Betfred.
Weekly Acca Rewards from Virgin Bet
By opting-in and placing four £5+ accas with four or more selections at minimum overall odds of 2/1 between Monday and Sunday, you can get a £5 free bet to use on another acca.
Accumulator bet tips
Here are three betting strategies for placing an acca.
Look for extra place terms, particularly in horse races, for an each-way bet accumulator. And try to side with runners who look likely to run their race. Even if they may not win, you want them to at least get involved in the money spots. Picking horses who tend to finish off well – rather than front-runners who could weaken out of the places – can be a good play. Accumulator bets in which all the selections are placed may not pay the big bucks, but they can still be rewarding and good value.
If you're into a football bet accumulator, placing an acca on some leagues at the start of the season can be a worthwhile idea. These could provide an interest for the whole football year and even, say, four favourites combined could pay well.
Tennis bets are also worth considering for accumulators. A lot of tennis matches can be one-sided betting heats, as at Wimbledon, with players going off at around 1/5 and shorter. Not much use, then, for a single bet. But bunging these in an acca can see the odds build up and provide an interest over multiple matches.
Our verdict on the best bookie for an accumulator bet
'bet365 is the most appealing bookie, generally speaking, when it comes to accumulator bets. For starters, its Acca Boost offer is really good. It gives a 2.5 per cent bonus on winning doubles on football, tennis and some other sports.
'This increases to 5 per cent for a successful treble, 7.5 per for a four-fold, all the way up to 100 per cent for 20 winning selections. The lowest price a selection can be is 1/10, which is fair. enough
'Aside from this promo, it might be worth noting that bet365 tends to have good maximum payout levels – just in case you hit the jackpot with an acca – albeit these vary depending on the sport.
'They have a wide range of markets and are highly competitive with their odds – including offering best odds guaranteed on horse racing.'
Accumulator bet FAQs
What is an accumulator bet?
The accumulator bet meaning is two-plus selections combined for straight win or each-way purposes. Two selections are commonly referred to as a 'double' and three picks make a 'treble', then four is a four-fold and so on.
Are accumulator bets worth it?
They can be an effective way of building up odds to get relatively high payouts without having to stake huge sums. There are some good promotions and bonuses with accumulators depending on your bookie, and they can offer good value.
What is a double bet?
A 'double' is two selections combined and they both have to win (or place, if it's an each-way double).
Can you win with an accumulator bet?
You can win big sums for relatively more stakes, although the more selections you include, the harder these bets can be to land.
What is a treble bet?
A 'treble' is three selections combined and they all have to win (or place, if it's an each-way treble).
How does a four-fold bet work?
A 'four-fold' is four selections combined and they all have to win (or place, if it's an each-way four-fold).
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