For many sports punters, the terminology used sports betting can often be puzzling – especially as a beginner. One such term that is often misunderstood is the ‘Yankee Bet.’
While it may not be common knowledge in betting circles, the Yankee Bet is offered by most of the top sportsbooks in the US and understanding what it is and how it operates can add another layer to your betting strategy and open up new opportunities.
In this article, GoBet takes a look at the Yankee Bet and provides sports bettors with a clear understanding of what a Yankee Bet is and exactly how it works.
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$500 BONUS!What is a Yankee Bet?
A Yankee Bet is a type of wager that originates from the UK, but its use has spread to various parts of the world. A Yankee is not a single bet, but rather a combination of multiple bets involving four different selections.
More specifically, a Yankee Bet consists of 11 separate bets: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and a four-leg accumulator (or multi bet). Here’s what that means:
- Double: A bet on two outcomes. Both must win for the bet to pay out.
- Treble: A bet on three outcomes. All three must win for the bet to pay out.
- Four-Leg Accumulator: A bet on four outcomes. All four must win for the bet to pay out.
In a Yankee Bet, you do not need all four of your selections to win to gain a return. A single correct selection will ensure a return from one of the double bets.
However, the more selections that win, the more of the 11 individual bets will pay out.
How Does a Yankee Bet Work?
For a practical understanding, let’s imagine you’re placing a Yankee Bet on four NFL or NBA games over the weekend, backing teams A, B, C, and D to win their respective matches.
The 11 bets in your Yankee would be:
- 6 Doubles: AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD
- 4 Trebles: ABC, ABD, ACD, BCD
- 1 Four-Fold Accumulator: ABCD
If all four teams win, every bet in your Yankee hits, and you’ll receive a significant payout.
However, even if only two or three of your selections win, you’ll still receive a return from the successful doubles and trebles.
How to Calculate a Yankee Bet
One important aspect to remember is that a Yankee Bet requires 11 times the unit stake. For instance, if you stake $1, your total outlay will be $11, as this stake is applied to each of the 11 bets.
Therefore, when calculating potential returns, each bet should be calculated individually, and then these returns should be added together to calculate the total win.
Pros and Cons of a Yankee Bet
Pros
- Higher Potential Returns: Because a Yankee Bet includes multiple multi bets, the potential returns can be significantly higher than a straight bet – especially if all of your selections win.
- Security: You don’t need all your selections to win to gain a return. Even if one selection fails, you can still get a decent payout.
Cons
- Increased Stake: Given it consists of 11 separate bets, a Yankee Bet requires 11 times the stake of a regular bet.
- Complexity: Calculating potential returns from a Yankee can be more complex due to the multiple combinations of bets.
The Bottom Line on Yankee Bets
The Yankee Bet offers a unique approach to betting, providing an opportunity for substantial returns and a level of security not found in single bets.
While it may be a foreign concept to some US punters, understanding this betting format can provide you with an additional strategy when wagering on your favourite sports.
So next time you are looking at placing a bet with one of your favourite sportsbooks, consider the Yankee Bet as an alternative to the standard accumulator bet!
