A Yankee bet is a multiple bet on four selections that combines them into 11 separate bets: six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold accumulator. It’s popular in horse racing because you don’t need all four to win to get a return. This guide explains how a Yankee bet works, what it costs, and what it pays with one, two, three or four winners.
Yankee bet in 30 seconds
- 4 selections, 11 bets: 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 four-fold.
- A £1 Yankee costs £11, or £22 each way.
- You need at least two winners for any return.
- Unlike a Lucky 15, there are no singles, so one winner pays nothing.
How a Yankee bet works
You pick four selections in different events, usually four horses in four races. The bookmaker then places every combination of two, three and four of them for you, each at your unit stake.
| Bet type | How many | Cost at £1 a bet |
|---|---|---|
| Doubles | 6 | £6 |
| Trebles | 4 | £4 |
| Four-fold accumulator | 1 | £1 |
| Total | 11 | £11 |
Your bet slip usually asks for the stake per bet, not the total. So “£2 Yankee” means £2 on each of the 11 bets, a total of £22. Check the total before you confirm.
Yankee bet returns: a worked example
Say you place a £1 Yankee on four horses, each at 2/1 (3.0 in decimal odds). Your total stake is £11. Here is what comes back depending on how many win:
| Winners | Winning bets | Return | Profit or loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | None | £0 | −£11 |
| 2 | 1 double | £9 | −£2 |
| 3 | 3 doubles + 1 treble | £54 | +£43 |
| 4 | 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 four-fold | £243 | +£232 |
Each double at 2/1 returns £1 × 3.0 × 3.0 = £9, each treble £27, and the four-fold £81. With four winners, that’s 6 × £9 + 4 × £27 + £81 = £243.
The example shows the shape of a Yankee: two winners at modest prices may not cover your stake, but three or four winners can pay well. If you’d like to check the sums for your own prices, our acca calculator works out each double, treble and accumulator.
Each-way Yankee bets
An each-way Yankee is two Yankees in one: 11 bets on your selections to win and 11 to be placed. So a £1 each-way Yankee costs £22.
The place part pays at a fraction of the odds, such as 1/5, if your selection finishes in the places. That means place returns can come in even when none of your horses win. Our guide to each-way betting explains place terms in detail.
Non-runners and dead heats in a Yankee bet
If one of your selections doesn’t run, the bets that include it are not lost. Instead, it’s treated as a winner at odds of evens-free, so a double that includes the non-runner becomes a single on the other horse, and the four-fold becomes a treble. Your stake on those bets stays in play.
Racing bets are also subject to Rule 4 deductions when a horse is withdrawn late, and dead heats reduce the stake on the affected selection. Both can lower your Yankee returns.
Yankee vs Lucky 15 and other full-cover bets
- Lucky 15: the same four selections plus four singles, so 15 bets. It costs more but pays with one winner, and some bookmakers add bonuses or consolation odds.
- Super Yankee (Canadian): five selections, 26 bets.
- Heinz: six selections, 57 bets.
The more bets in the combination, the higher the total stake. A full-cover bet doesn’t change the odds on each horse, so it isn’t better value in itself. It spreads the same stake across more combinations.
Yankee bets and free bet offers
Some bookmakers count a Yankee towards a qualifying bet or give a free bet if only one selection wins. Terms vary, so check the minimum odds and whether multiples count. See our guide to qualifying bets and minimum odds, and compare current racing offers here:
Free bet offers
Paddy Power Sports Easy Low risk
£30 in free bets
18+ · Code YSKAST · £5 bet at evens+ · £30 free bets · 30 days · Debit/Apple Pay/bank
Full T&Cs
18+ · New Customer offer - Use promo code YSKAST. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £30 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly
Kwiff Sports Easy Very low risk
£40 in free bets
18+ · £10 bet at 2.0+ in 5 days · 4 x £10 free bets (3+ legs each) · 7-day expiry
Full T&Cs
New UK customers. £10 cash bet, min. odds 2.0, in 5 days of deposit. Get 4x £10 Free Bets: Single, 2 Accas & Bet Builder (3+ legs each). Excl. cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ | GambleAware
Unibet Sports Easy Very low risk
£40 in free bets
18+ · Opt in · Dep & bet £20 at 2.0+ in 7 days · £40 free bets · 7 days · Debit/bank only
Full T&Cs
18+ | GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in, deposit and Bet £20+ on sports at min odds of 2.0+ (1/1) for £40 in Free Bets within 7 days of registration. Debit cards or instant bank transfers only. Free bets expire within 7 days of issue. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.
No offers match those filters — try clearing one.
Yankee bet FAQ
Eleven: six doubles, four trebles and one four-fold accumulator, all on the same four selections. £11 win only, or £22 each way. No. A Yankee has no singles, so you need at least two winners for a return. A Lucky 15 adds singles if you want cover for one winner. Yes, on four selections in different matches. Most bookmakers don’t allow selections from the same event in one Yankee. It doesn’t improve the odds on each selection. It’s a way to spread your stake, so only bet what you can afford to lose.How many bets are in a Yankee?
How much does a £1 Yankee cost?
Do I win anything with one winner in a Yankee?
Can I place a Yankee on football?
Is a Yankee bet good value?
18+ only. Free bets and welcome offers are for new customers and T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, visit our responsible gambling page or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Free advice is also available from BeGambleAware.org.
