When you’re new to multiple betting systems, the jargon can feel like a new language, so let’s start by explaining that. Every multiple bet is trying to do the same thing: combine several selections in order to improve your potential payout or protect your stake if things don’t go as planned.
The patent bet sits at the beginner‑friendly end of this spectrum. It covers all possible single, double and treble combinations of three selections, giving you seven separate bets in just one stake.
Because you’re not relying on all of your picks winning, a patent is a good compromise between a straight treble (which can bust with one loser) and a safer, but less rewarding, single. It offers full cover with singles and, as we’ll see, that small insurance policy is its unique selling point.
What Is a Patent Bet?
A patent bet is a type of multiple wager with three selections (usually written as A, B and C) and seven individual bets. The seven bets are:
- Three singles: each selection on its own (A, B and C).
- Three doubles: each pair of selections combined (AB, AC and BC).
- One treble: one bet on all three together (ABC).
Because you have three singles in the mix, you get a return if any one of your selections wins. That return may not always cover your entire stake (remember the stake is multiplied by seven because you’re placing seven bets), but it does give you some breathing room.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Since the whole approach with the patent is to have a balanced and safe experience when betting, it’s often recommended for beginners or for punters backing outsiders.
How Does a Patent Bet Work?
As we mentioned, the patent bet uses three selections often labelled A, B and C. The diagram below shows how the seven bets are formed: each vertex represents a single bet, each edge is a double and the centre represents the treble.
Say you place a £1 patent bet (so £7 total, because it’s 7 bets).
Your three selections are:
- A to win at 2/1
- B to win at 3/1
- C to win at 5/2
One winner
If only selection A wins, the single bet on A pays out. The two doubles involving A (AB and AC) and the treble (ABC) lose, as do the other singles and the remaining double (BC). You get some money back thanks to that one winning single, but whether you make a profit depends on the odds.
In our scenario, if only A wins:
- You get a £3 return
- Everything else loses
- Total return: £3 (loss of £4 overall)
Two winners
If A and B both win while C loses, you cash in three bets: the single on A, the single on B and the double AB. You still lose the treble and the other doubles (AC and BC) because they contain the losing C. At modest odds this scenario will typically see a modest profit or break‑even.
Formula to calculate double winnings: stake x first winner x second winner
In our scenario, if A and B both win:
- Single on A = £3
- Single on B = £4
- Double on A+B = £12
- Everything else loses
- Total return: £19 (profit of £12 overall)
All three winners
This is the dream outcome. If A, B and C all win, every one of the seven component bets pays out. You hit the treble, all three doubles and all three singles, with the return being much higher than the stake.
Formula to calculate treble winnings: stake x A x B x C
In our scenario, if you win everything:
- Single A = £3
- Single B = £4
- Single C = £3.50
- Double A+B = £12
- Double A+C = £10.50
- Double B+C = £14
- Treble A+B+C = £42
- Total return: £89 (profit of £82 overall)
As you can see, even with a single winner you recoup part of your stake, two winners push you into profit, and three winners provide an excellent return.
| Number of winning selections |
Winning sub‑bets | Typical result |
| 1 | 1 single | Partial refund, profit only if odds are high |
| 2 | 2 singles + 1 double | Usually a small profit, depending on odds |
| 3 | 3 singles + 3 doubles + 1 treble | You get the best possible outcome for the bets you placed |
So with a patent:
- One winner = some money back (but usually a loss)
- Two winners = a good chance of profit
- Three winners = a handsome payout
That said, because you’re not stacking all your stake on a single treble, the total payout will be smaller than if you’d just gone for a straight accumulator (treble) at the same odds. Still, you can go home with a very good return on your patent bet.
Patent Bet vs Other Bet Types
Patent vs Trixie
What it is: 3 doubles + 1 treble (no singles)
Stake: 4x your unit stake (£1 trixie = £4)
Pros: Cheaper than a patent. Profitable if 2+ win
Cons: If only 1 wins, you get nothing back
A trixie uses the same three selections as the patent but includes four bets: three doubles and one treble. A patent is essentially a trixie + the three singles. You can choose a trixie over a patent when your selections are short‑priced favourites. In such cases a trixie cuts costs by removing the singles.
Patent vs Treble
What it is: Just the all-in threefold accumulator
Stake: 1x your unit stake
Pros: Cheapest, and highest odds when it lands
Cons: Brutal. All 3 must win, or you lose
A treble is a simple accumulator of three selections: all must win to get paid. The allure is that a treble offers a much higher payout for a small stake because odds multiply together.
However, it only takes one loser to wipe out the entire bet. A patent uses the same treble but surrounds it with singles and doubles to mitigate that risk. The treble instead is high-risk, high-reward. The pure gambler’s choice.
Patent vs Accumulator (Acca)
What it is: Any bet with 4+ selections
Stake: 1x your unit stake
Pros: Sky-high returns if all win
Cons: One loser kills the whole bet
Accumulators combine multiple selections into a single bet. They promise huge returns but are brittle: one bad result sinks the whole ship. It’s definitely a risky bet, especially if you increase the number of selections. If it works though, you can get some really good returns.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Bet Type | Selections | Number of Bets | Safety Net | Typical Use |
| Patent | 3 | 7 | At least 1 winner returns cash | Safer, balanced |
| Trixie | 3 | 4 | Need 2 winners | Mid-ground |
| Treble | 3 | 1 | All must win | High-risk, high-reward |
| Acca | 4+ | 1 | All must win | Big payout dreams |
If you want a low-stress bet where you still get something back if one team saves the day → go Patent. If you want cheap, sweaty palms, and huge odds → go Treble/Acca.
When to Use a Patent Bet
When you’ve got 3 decent-priced picks (maybe not heavy favourites). Patents eat up stakes, so backing 3 odds-on favourites is often pointless. You’ll struggle to cover the cost of the 7 bets. They work best if your selections are mid-range odds.
When you want a safety net. Unlike a trixie and other bets we’ve seen, you’ll get some money back even if just 1 wins. This makes it a good option if you’re testing out a system, or not confident all 3 will land.
When you enjoy accumulators but hate “1 loser ruins everything.” The treble part is still there, but you’ve got singles and doubles covering you.
When you want a modest but realistic return. A patent won’t deliver six‑figure wins, but it does offer consistent possibilities. As long as you accept that trade‑off, it’s an interesting addition to your strategy when betting.
When you bet in sports like horse racing or tennis where shocks are common. If 1 or 2 outsiders win, you’re already in profit without needing the clean sweep.
When Not to Use a Patent Bet
- If you only fancy all 3 to win strongly. Go Treble, higher payout for less stake.
- If you think at least 2 of your 3 picks will win. Trixie is cheaper and does the job more efficiently (4 bets instead of 7).
- If your selections are short odds. The singles won’t return enough to justify the stake.
FAQ
How many bets are in a patent?
A patent includes seven different bets: three singles, three doubles and one treble. Each one requires its own stake, which means a £1 patent actually costs £7.
Do you get money back if only one selection wins?
Yes, that’s the best part about patents. The inclusion of singles means that even one winning selection generates a return. Whether that return translates into a profit depends on the odds. But even when the single is a shorter price, at least part of your stake is returned instead of being wiped out as it would be with a treble or accumulator.
Why is it called a patent bet?
There are actually various theories, but none is confirmed. The word patent can mean clear, evident, obvious. It might have been used to imply that this bet type clearly covers all combinations of the selections, leaving no gaps as you’re covered by singles, doubles, and the treble.
Patent also suggests something legally defined or guaranteed. Some claim the term was borrowed from legal/financial jargon, playing on its sense of “protected” or “secured” as you are more protected in this bet.
—
Betting is only available to participants aged 18 or over. For help and support, visit BeGambleAware.org or call their helpline.