Most bookmakers offer three main types of sports bets – single, accumulator, and system. However, some bookmakers also provide other options. In this article, we will examine what a Lucky bet is and whether it is profitable to place such a type of wager.
Rules and features of Lucky bets
Lucky is a type of combined wager on several outcomes. All possible accumulators and singles are formed from the events included in the betting slip. The total stake amount is divided equally among them.
How does it differ from a standard system bet? In the latter, the dimension of allowable accumulators is set, and singles are excluded. In a Lucky, literally all possible combinations of the predictions included in the bet slip are formed.
The minimum number of outcomes in a slip is two, whereas in a system it is three. If you include two outcomes in the slip and place a Lucky, you get three bets – two singles and one double accumulator.
As the number of predictions increases, the number of individual wagers included in the Lucky grows significantly.
For example, let’s form a bet consisting of three events – A, B, and C:
| Type of bet | Number and combinations |
| single | A, B, C – three |
| doubles | AB, AC, BC – three |
| treble | ABC – one |
Thus, by placing such a wager, the player effectively makes seven separate bets. But how is the stake amount distributed between them? Equally among all options. Therefore, for calculation convenience in the given example, it is better to place an amount divisible by seven, for instance, 7 USD.
Example of how a Lucky bet works
Having outlined what a Lucky bet is in general terms, let’s form a conditional wager on four events:
| Designation | Match | Selection | Odds | Score | Result |
| A | Rangers – Napoli | Away win | 1.90 | 0:3 | + |
| B | Real Madrid – RB Leipzig | Home win | 1.60 | 2:0 | + |
| C | Maccabi Haifa – PSG | Away win | 1.30 | 1:3 | + |
| D | Dynamo Kyiv – AEK Larnaca | Home win | 1.70 | 0:1 | – |
With four selections, the Lucky has the standard name Lucky-15, since this number of individual wagers is formed. Therefore, we’ll place $15 so that each bet gets $1.
The result is shown in the following table:
| Bet combination | Result | Payout |
| A | + | $1 × 1.9 = $1.90 |
| B | + | $1 × 1.6 = $1.60 |
| C | + | $1 × 1.3 = $1.30 |
| D | – | $0 |
| AB | + | $1 × 1.9 × 1.6 = $3.04 |
| AC | + | $1 × 1.9 × 1.3 = $2.47 |
| AD | – | $0 |
| BC | + | $1 × 1.6 × 1.3 = $2.08 |
| BD | – | $0 |
| CD | – | $0 |
| ABC | + | $1 × 1.9 × 1.6 × 1.3 = $3.95 |
| ABD | – | $0 |
| BCD | – | $0 |
| ACD | – | $0 |
| ABCD | – | $0 |
| Total payout | $16.34 | |
As we can see, with one losing selection and moderate odds, the net profit is relatively small. However, by choosing higher-risk odds, one can count on a more significant profit.
Comparison with the “2 of 4” and “3 of 4” systems
Now imagine the same selections were placed in a “2 of 4” system. With six possible doubles already shown in the overall table above, we stake $6 and receive a payout of $3.04 + $2.47 + $2.08 = $7.59.
Next, we try a “3 of 4” system with the same matches. Four trebles are possible, so we stake $4. According to the table above, the payout will be $3.95.
Thus, let’s summarize the profitability of each bet:
- Net profit from Lucky: $16.34 − $15 = $1.34.
- From “2 of 4”: $7.59 − $6 = $1.59.
- From “3 of 4”: $3.95 − $4 = −$0.05.
Draw your own conclusions as to whether it is worth choosing such a complex combined wager for that level of profit. By the way, if you had placed four singles of $1 each, your profit would have been $0.80.
Which bookmakers offer this type of bet
Interactive bookmakers are reluctant to introduce this type of wager. The reason is that it is not particularly popular among the wider betting audience. Many players are not even aware that such a type of bet exists.
Above, we described what a Lucky bet is at 1xBet. This international bookmaker offers one of the broadest selections of betting types.
In addition to Lucky, you will also find anti-accumulator, patent, Yankee, Trixie, chain bet, and many others.
The only limitation for Lucky, as stated in 1xBet’s betting rules, is the number of outcomes allowed in the bet slip. It can be no fewer than two and no more than eight.
It’s difficult to quickly calculate all possible combinations for such complex constructions. However, this isn’t necessary. The player simply needs to select eight events they are confident in. The amount specified in the slip will automatically be distributed among all allowed combinations, and the winnings will also be paid out correctly.
Lucky 15, 31, 63
Another bookmaker offering this uncommon and complex type of wager is Marathonbet. However, a small clarification is needed here. In the Marathonbet lineup, you will find only three Lucky options – 15, 31, and 63.
This number of combinations corresponds to Lucky bets based on four, five, and six selections, respectively. These formats are considered the most popular among players, which is why the bookmaker offers only these three variations.
Pros and Cons
Let’s first list the disadvantages of Lucky bets:
- complex multi-level calculations – even a small list of four selections, as shown in the example, requires computations across 15 combinations;
- profitability only slightly exceeds system bets or a set of single wagers if even one prediction fails;
- profits are much smaller than those that can be achieved if all selections win in a standard accumulator.
The last two points are particularly important. If you want to minimize risk, a system bet provides nearly the same monetary results. If, however, you wish to take a risk, it is more reasonable to choose an accumulator.
Do you want to bet on seven events at once but realize that an accumulator in this case is unlikely to win? Why not distribute your stake amount across all possible combination options? If you believe this makes sense, be sure to find an online bookmaker that offers Lucky bets among its available wager types.
