Patent Bet Explained
A Patent bet explained simply, it's a type of multiple bet built from three selections that generates seven individual bets: three singles, three doubles and one treble. That structure means at least one selection can win and you'll still get a return, which makes it a popular choice for horse racing and football coupons where punters fancy a few selections but don't want an all-or-nothing accumulator. This guide covers how the bet is built, what it costs, and where in the UK market it's commonly available, so you can decide whether it suits your betting style.
What Is a Patent Bet?
A Patent bet is a multiple bet made up of three selections, combined into seven separate bets: three singles, three doubles, and one treble. Unlike an accumulator, where every selection needs to win for any return at all, a Patent pays out even if only one of your three picks comes in, because that selection's single bet is still live. This makes it a lower-risk structure than a straight accumulator, though it costs more to place because you're staking on seven bets rather than one.
It sits alongside similar multiples such as the Trixie, which is the same three-selection structure but without the singles, and the Yankee, which uses four selections instead of three. Punters who like the safety net of singles but want the treble bonus if all three come in tend to gravitate towards the Patent.
How a Patent Bet Works
Say you pick three horses running in three different races. Your Patent breaks that down into:
- Three singles — one bet on each horse individually
- Three doubles — every possible pairing of two of the three horses
- One treble — all three horses combined into a single bet
Each of these seven bets carries its own stake, so a Patent costs seven times your unit stake to place in full. If only one horse wins, you get a return from that single bet, though the doubles and treble will have lost. If two win, you collect from two singles and the one double that combines them. If all three win, every one of the seven bets pays out, which is where the real value of the bet comes through. Some bookmakers also allow each-way Patents on racing, doubling the total number of bets to fourteen and the total outlay accordingly.
Where You Can Place a Patent Bet
Most established UK bookmakers support Patent bets on their racing and football multiples builders, though the exact layout of the bet slip varies. Racing-focused platforms tend to make this bet type easiest to find.
bet365
bet365's bet slip automatically recognises when three selections have been added and offers the Patent alongside other multiples, with extensive racing coverage to build selections from. The trade-off is that the interface can feel busy for anyone new to multiples betting. Read the full bet365 review for more detail.
William Hill
William Hill has long been associated with racing multiples and its slip presents Patent, Trixie and Yankee options clearly once three selections are picked. It's a solid choice for those who bet regularly on the horses, though its football market depth isn't always as deep as some rivals. See the William Hill review.
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes offers the same straightforward multiples selection on its slip and has a strong reputation for racing promotions that can enhance returns on multiple bets. Newer users sometimes find the app layout less intuitive than competitors. Check the Ladbrokes review.
Paddy Power
Paddy Power's slip handles Patents cleanly and the operator is well known for racing content and price boosts that can apply to individual legs within a multiple. Its promotional emphasis leans towards football and racing specifically, so those betting on other sports may find fewer relevant offers. Read the Paddy Power review.
Betfred
Betfred is another operator with deep roots in horse racing betting and its bet slip supports Patents without any extra steps. Its welcome offer structure is worth comparing against others before signing up. See the Betfred review.
For a full rundown of licensed operators and how they compare on markets, app quality and payment options, the betting sites page is a good starting point, and current sign-up terms are listed on the offers page.
Is a Patent Bet Worth It?
Whether a Patent suits you depends on what you want from a multiple bet. It's more forgiving than an accumulator because a single winner still returns something, but the seven-bet structure means your total stake is higher than backing three singles outright, and the maths only really pays off if at least two of your three selections land. For each-way racing bets, check the place terms carefully, as these affect four of the seven bets rather than just the singles.
As with any multiple bet, it's worth setting a stake you're comfortable losing in full, since a Patent can just as easily return nothing as it can pay out well. Anyone concerned about their betting habits should look at the tools and support covered on the safer gambling page before placing regular multiples.
FAQs
- What is a Patent bet?
- A Patent bet is a multiple bet made from three selections, split into seven bets: three singles, three doubles and one treble. It returns a profit if even one selection wins, unlike an accumulator where every leg has to come in.
- How much does a Patent bet cost to place?
- You pay your chosen stake seven times over, once for each of the seven bets that make up the Patent. For an each-way Patent, that doubles to fourteen times your stake, since each bet is placed both to win and to place.
- Is a Patent bet worth it compared to an accumulator?
- It depends on your priorities. A Patent gives you a return even if only one selection wins, which an accumulator doesn't, but it costs more upfront because you're covering seven separate bets rather than one.
- What's the difference between a Patent and a Trixie?
- Both use three selections, but a Trixie is made up of just the three doubles and the treble, four bets in total, with no singles included. A Patent adds the three singles on top, making it seven bets and generally the pricier of the two.