How Does an Accumulator Work?
By the TheyShoot editorial team. Updated
An accumulator (acca) is one bet on several selections, where every selection must win. The odds of each leg are multiplied together, so four legs at evens (2.00) make odds of 16.00. If a single leg loses, the whole bet loses.
How does an accumulator work?
You pick two or more selections and combine them into one bet. A two-leg acca is a double, three legs is a treble, and four or more is usually called an accumulator or four-fold, five-fold and so on. Your stake rides on all of them: the winnings from the first leg effectively roll on to the next.
How acca odds are worked out
Acca odds = decimal odds of leg 1 × leg 2 × leg 3 × …. Three legs at 1.50, 2.00 and 2.20 give 1.50 × 2.00 × 2.20 = 6.60, so a £10 treble returns £66.
| Legs at evens (2.00) | Acca odds | £10 returns |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4.00 | £40 |
| 3 | 8.00 | £80 |
| 4 | 16.00 | £160 |
| 5 | 32.00 | £320 |
| 6 | 64.00 | £640 |
| 8 | 256.00 | £2,560 |
| 10 | 1024.00 | £10,240 |
What happens if a leg is void or postponed?
A void leg, for example a postponed match, is normally treated as odds of 1.00. It drops out and the rest of the acca stands. A four-fold with one void leg is settled as a treble on the remaining three.
Why long accas rarely land
The odds grow fast because the chance of everything winning falls fast. If each of five legs has a 50% chance, all five win only about 3% of the time (0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.031). Bookmakers also build a margin into every leg, and that margin multiplies too. Shorter accas with legs you have researched give you a much better chance of a return.
Check a bet with the accumulator calculator, or spread the risk with a full-cover bet like a Lucky 15.
FAQs
What is a 4-fold accumulator?
A 4-fold is an accumulator with four selections. All four must win, and the odds of the four are multiplied together.
Can I cash out an acca?
Many bookmakers offer cash out on accas, letting you settle early for less than the full return. Availability and the amount offered vary.
What is acca insurance?
Acca insurance is a bookmaker promotion that refunds your stake, often as a free bet, if one leg of an eligible acca loses. Terms and minimum odds apply.