What Is a Patent Bet – A Beginner’s Guide

A patent bet is a multiple that includes three selections. Many punters like patents because they offer them a good mix of risk and reward. In addition, whilst they can yield bettors a big return, only one leg needs to win for them to get at least something back.

In this article, we will explain how a patent bet works. We will look at the wager’s pros and cons. Additionally, we will explain how to place a patent, how to calculate a patent bet and also compare this wager to similar alternatives.

What Is a Patent Bet?

A patent bet is a multiple bet. You must pick three unrelated selections. Punters commonly use it in horse racing across three races. However, you can place a patent on football and other sports. You can even place this bet on a mix of sports and markets.

It is a full cover bet with singles. This means you cover all possible multiples that can be created with three selections, plus each pick as a single. That means you have seven bets in total: three singles, three doubles and one treble. Consequently, a patent requires seven separate stakes and a £10 patent will cost £70 in total.

A Trixie is very similar to a patent. However, a Trixie does not include the singles and so is just four bets. Therefore, with a Trixie, at least two legs must win or you lose your entire stake. A Lucky 15 is also similar to a patent. Similarly, it too is a full cover bet with singles. However, a Lucky 15 requires four selections and therefore 15 bets in total.

How Does a Patent Bet Work?

In summary, a patent bet requires:

• 3 selections – these must be unrelated (generally not in the same race or match)
• 7 bets – as there are seven bets, there are also seven stakes
• 3 singles – includes each pick as a single
• 3 doubles – all three possible doubles
• 1 treble – one mini-accumulator, where all three must win

Obviously, should the treble win, all seven bets will be winners. So, how does a patent bet work? Let us offer an example of a patent on the three big races one afternoon at Cheltenham. You might opt to back the following:

• Lionheart in the 1.40 (selection A)
• Dumb Donovan in the 2.10 (selection B)
• Lotto Brother in the 2.40 (selection C)

You decide to back these three as a patent bet, meaning you make seven bets in one, as below:

• 3 singles – bets A, B and C
• 3 doubles – bets AB, AC and BC
• 1 treble – bet ABC

You can use a patent bet calculator to work out your winnings. The bookies will do this for you automatically and return any winnings. However, if you want to calculate a patent bet, online tools make that very easy. In fact, the patent itself is a very straightforward type of bet.

If just one pick wins, you will only win that single, so one of your seven bets. Should all three win, then all seven of your bets will be successful. If any two of the three win, then you will win three bets in total. The three winners will be the two singles and the one double that includes both.

You can also place a permed patent bet. Here you make more selections and your wager covers all possible patents. For example, if you add a fourth race, D, you can now create four separate patents. These would be:

• ABC
• ABD
• ACD
• BCD

Each patent still has seven bets. Therefore, a permed patent with four selections creates a total of 28 bets.

Key Features of a Patent Bet

A patent bet is explained above. However, the key features to be aware of are as follows:

• You must pick three selections.
• You can use a mix of sports and markets. For example, a Sunday patent could include Lewis Hamilton to win the Grand Prix, Liverpool to beat Man City and Tiny Tempo Run to win the big race.
• Full cover with singles bet means you are betting on all possible combination bets using three picks.
• A standard patent bet is always seven wagers in one and therefore the total stake is seven times the base stake.
• You will get a return if just one leg wins.
• You will make a profit if that leg is priced at odds of 7/1 or higher. However, generally, you need at least two picks to win.

Pros and Cons of a Patent Bet

When Should You Use a Patent Bet?

A patent bet is, in some regards, an old-fashioned bet. It is less popular these days. However, some punters still place these bets, especially on horse racing. A patent bet is a good option when you think you have found three selections that offer decent value at medium to high odds.

This is because even if just one pick wins, you will still get a return. That might result in a small loss, or perhaps even a small win, depending on the odds. However, with odds from around 3/1 or 4/1 and upwards, you will get a very nice win if two or three selections win.

Punters can choose lots of similar options when it comes to multiples bets. A patent is best if you have moderate confidence, because just one winner delivers at least some return. Equally, it’s a good option when your selections have decent odds and you want some insurance.

Patent Bet vs Other Bet Types

• Trixie – three selections, four bets, no singles
• Patent – three selections, seven bets, includes singles
• Yankee – four selections, 11 bets in total, no singles
• Lucky 15 – four selections, 15 wagers, includes singles
• Treble – an acca with three selections and just one stake

A treble, which is the smallest accumulator bet, is an all-or-nothing wager. It is good when you are very sure about your selections, as there is no payout at all unless all three legs win. However, the returns can be very large. Ultimately, which bet is best will depend on how many of your picks win.

If you predict all three outcomes correctly, a £7 treble will return much more than a £7 patent. In fact, we can use a patent bet calculator to show exactly how much more. Let us imagine you select three horses all priced at odds of 4/1. A £7 patent, where you have £1 on each of the seven total bets, will return £215. In contrast, a treble with £7 on one bet will return a very tidy £875.

However, if any of the three picks fail to win, the acca returns nothing. Whereas with the patent bet, one winner returns £5 and two winners would return £35.

How to Place a Patent Bet (Step-by-Step)

The exact process may vary slightly depending on which bookie you use. However, in general, it is very easy to place a patent. Follow these steps:

1. Add three selections to your betting slip (these must be unrelated – the slip will deliver an error if picks cannot be combined).
2. Enter stake next to the box that says “Patent”.
3. Alternatively, click “Multiples” or “All Multiples” on the betting slip to reveal the patent option.
4. Enter your stake per bet – note this will be multiplied by seven for your total stake.
5. Check the bet and click “Confirm” or “Place Bet” to finalise.

Final Thoughts

A patent bet is classed as a full cover bet with singles. You make three selections and then place seven bets on them. This includes three singles, three doubles and one treble. You can place patents on any sport, or a mix of sports. They are a good option if you want a mix of potential payout and a reduced risk. Equally, they are a sensible option for medium to high odds.