It’s natural to be confused by all the betting terminology when you are a new punter. That’s why it’s always wiser to understand anything that might confuse you. For instance, the term 5-fold bet might leave many of you rookies scratching your heads, but that’s why we are here.
To put it simply, a five-fold bet allows you to combine five different selections into one wager. The best part is that there’s a chance of getting a bigger payout, which makes it quite popular among sports bettors. This accumulator is common in six-game betting systems where punters aim to win at least five games.
That sounds easy to understand, but when you actually try it, you might find it a little challenging. However, our simple guide will help clear the basics with relevant examples and also compare it with other accumulators. Moreover, we will look at its pros and cons so you know how to place this bet properly.
What Is a 5-Fold Bet?
To answer your question, “What does 5-fold mean in betting?”, it’s a type of accumulator. This means it’s a single wager combining five separate predictions. The main requirement for this bet is that all five selections must win. The downside is that if even one selection fails, the entire five-fold bet is lost, resulting in no return.
The reason bettors choose this high-risk strategy is the significantly increased payout. The 5-fold accumulator odds are calculated by multiplying the odds of each individual selection together. This allows you to turn successful bets on shorter-priced outcomes (like favourites) into a much larger total win than if you had placed five separate wagers.
However, since the bet is all-or-nothing, we strongly advise that you conduct thorough research and bet wisely, as no outcome is guaranteed.
How Does a 5-Fold Accumulator Work?
Understanding the basics of a five-fold bet is easy enough, but applying it can be tricky. However, since the easy part is clear, let’s look at this example to understand how it actually works. For instance, assume that you place a £10 stake on a 5-fold accumulator with the following five football selections:
- Arsenal odds: 6/1
- Man City winning odds: 5/1
- Chelsea winning odds: 4/1
- Tottenham Hotspur winning odds: 3/1
- Man Utd winning odds: 2/1
Step 1: You need to calculate the total odds.
First, convert each fraction into its “profit” part. The fractional odds tell you the profit you would make for every £1 you stake. For example, 4/1 means you would get £4 profit for every £1 staked.
Here’s how you calculate the total profit for the entire bet:
- A £10 stake on Chelsea at 4/1 gives you a profit of £10×4=£40. You now have a total of £50 (£40 profit + £10 stake).
- The total of £50 is now staked on Man Utd at 2/1. Your profit is £50×2=£100. You now have a total of £150 (£100 profit + £50 stake).
- The total of £150 is now staked on Tottenham Hotspur at 3/1. Your profit is £150×3=£450. You now have a total of £600 (£450 profit + £150 stake).
- The total of £600 is now staked on Man City at 5/1. Your profit is £600×5=£3,000. You now have a total of £3,600 (£3,000 profit + £600 stake).
- The total of £3,600 is now staked on Arsenal at 6/1. Your profit is £3,600×6=£21,600. Your final total return is £25,200 (£21,600 profit + £3,600 stake).
Step 2: You need to calculate the total payout and then the total profit.
As you saw in the step above, your total payout is £25,200.
To calculate your total profit, you can use this formula:
Total payout – original stake = total profit
£25,200 – £10 = £25,190
5-Fold Bet Example
It might seem confusing at first, but it will all fall into place when you start applying it on your own. Let’s look at another example to get a better understanding of how a 5-fold bet works.
| Match | Selection | Fractional Odds | Stake | Potential Payout |
| Manchester City vs Sunderland | Man City to win | 1/2 | £10 | £15 |
| Liverpool vs Chelsea | Chelsea to win | 6/5 | £15 | £33 |
| Tottenham vs Manchester United | Tottenham to win | 13/8 | £33 | £86.62 |
| Liverpool vs Crystal Palace | Liverpool to win | 2/1 | £86.62 | £259.87 |
| Aston Villa vs Everton | Aston Villa to win | 5/2 | £259.87 | £909.54 |
Total profit = £909.54 – £10 = £899.54
So, if all five teams win their respective matches, your bet is successful. You would receive a total of £899.54, which is almost £900! However, even if one of the teams fails to win their match (i.e., they draw or lose), the entire 5-fold bet is lost, and you also lose your original £10 stake.
It’s important to note that in a real betting scenario, two common features can change your final return. “Boosted Odds” are a bonus, like an extra 10%, that a bookmaker adds to your profit if the accumulator wins, increasing your total payout.
Also, the “Cash-Out” option lets you settle your bet early for a guaranteed amount before all five matches have finished. This guarantees a profit and helps you manage the risk of later selections losing, though you sacrifice the chance of the maximum potential payout.
What Sports Can You Use 5-Fold Bets On?
Five-fold bets can be used in numerous sports. Here are the most popular options.
Football
Since football is so popular worldwide, bookmakers offer many matches. Therefore, if you want to bet on football, easily creating and placing a five-fold accumulator is a simple option.
Tennis
Tennis is a great sport for 5-fold accumulators due to its regular matches and varied outcomes. Bettors can easily boost their potential payouts by combining bets on different elements, such as sets, games, or player stats.
Basketball
Basketball is another option for 5-fold bets because it offers numerous games almost every day and a wide range of betting markets. The high-scoring nature and variety of bets, including totals, handicaps, and player props, give punters excellent flexibility to combine selections for potentially high returns.
Horse racing
Horse racing is one of the top choices for 5-fold bets because numerous races are held daily across the UK, Ireland, and globally. The sheer volume of races and runners, combined with good odds, provides an excellent opportunity to build a high-payout accumulator.
eSports
Esports is excellent for five-fold bets due to the constant year-round action across different games. The wide range of betting markets (match winners, map scores, etc.) offers a great opportunity to build high-payout accumulators.
Pros and Cons of 5-Fold Bets
It’s important to consider the pros and cons of any type of betting before you decide to wager your money on it. Here are the pros and cons of a 5-fold accumulator.
Pros
- Bigger Payouts: Because the odds are multiplied (accumulated), the potential return from a 5-fold bet is significantly higher than placing individual wagers.
- Combine Bets: You can mix and match selections from any market you choose on a single betting slip.
- Fun and Engaging: Watching all the different parts (legs) of your 5-fold bet makes following sports more fun and engaging.
Cons
- All-or-Nothing: This is one of the riskiest bets available. If just one selection fails, the entire bet is void, so proceed with caution.
- Extensive Research: You need a strong understanding of all five events. Winning requires extensive research and effort.
- Lower Win Rate: You will win less frequently because the bet requires five outcomes to be correct at the same time.
5-Fold Bet vs Other Accumulators
From 2 folds to 9 folds, there are a lot of varieties when it comes to accumulator betting. Let’s look at this table that highlights their differences from a 5-fold bet.
| Fold Type | Number of Selections | Risk Level | Potential Return | Common Use |
| 2-fold | 2 | Low | Low | Beginners, safer picks |
| 3-fold | 3 | Medium-Low | Moderate | Casual bettors |
| 4-fold | 4 | Medium | High | Sports accumulators |
| 5-fold | 5 | Medium-High | Higher | Confident strategies |
| 6-fold | 6 | High | Very High | Risk takers |
| 7-fold+ | 7 or more | Very High | Huge | Long-shot bettors |
Know More About Five Fold Bet (FAQs)
What Happens If One Leg In a 5-Fold Bet Is Void?
If one leg of a 5-fold bet is void, the bet remains active but reverts to a 4-fold accumulator on the remaining four selections, and the odds are recalculated accordingly.
Can I Include Different Sports In a 5-Fold?
Yes, you can absolutely include selections from different sports in a single 5-fold accumulator bet.
Is a 5-Fold Bet Risky?
Yes, a 5-fold bet is slightly risky, as you must win all five bets to get a payout.
Can I Cash Out Early On a 5-Fold Bet?
If the bookmakers provide the cash-out feature, then yes, you can settle your 5-fold bet early for a guaranteed return before all five events have concluded.
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