What is an Alphabet Bet?

Written By:  Finn Huxley
Last Updated:  May 2, 2023

There are many different types of combination bets, in which you have multiple selections that combine to make different types of bets. So, What is the meaning of an “alphabet” bet? For starters, it got its name due to the number of letters in the alphabet. So, that means there are 26 possible wagers in the alphabet bet type.

What Exactly is an Alphabet Bet?

Soccer players playing football at night

Because of its 26 bets, it was named after the alphabet. The benefit of this strategy is that it allows bettors to shuffle their picks so the selections they are most certain about have a more significant impact on the payout. 

Because the Yankee does not contain positions 1 and 6, the best technique is to arrange preferred options in positions 2, 3, 4, and 5, leaving slots 1 and 6 for the least favourite. To make a profit, only one option must win. This bet is popular among horse racing fans, although it is available for any sport.

First, you must have made six picks for an alphabet wager. It makes no difference what those picks are – horses, football teams, basketball teams, future bets etc. The only thing that matters is that there are six options, each distinct from the others. Once you have chosen, you can, for example, go for a £1 Alphabet (or whatever you want to gamble on each bet). A £1 stake will cost you £26.

How Do You Place an Alphabet Bet?

You’ll need to make six different choices to place an alphabet bet. This wager allows you to make several bets on the same six races. As a result, six is the magic number in this case.

You face a higher risk for a higher reward by putting a single wager on six races instead of six separate bets.

The following are the sub-bets placed in an alphabet bet:

  • Two patent bets. The first patent bet covers your first three races, while the second covers the fourth, fifth, and sixth races. There are a total of 14 bets here.
  • A Yankee bet is a wager covering four races from numbers two to five. There are a total of 11 bets covered here.
  • Finally, an accumulator bet covers all six races simultaneously. This, like other accumulator bets, covers a single stake.

See another example below that explains the types of bets included, along with the selections used for each:

Bets Included Selections Used No. of Bets
Patent 1 ABC 7
Patent 2 DEF 7
Yankee BCDE 11
6 Fold Acca ABCDEF 1
Total Bets: 26


This sort of wager maximises your potential return on six selections. You must choose horses in races with favourable odds to make this bet work. However, regardless of the odds you chose, you might be able to profit from an alphabet bet. Because of the various combinations involved, it is seen as complicated and occasionally harmful.

Nevertheless, this technique could pay out handsomely for the more daring gamblers. With an alphabet bet, it’s always a smart idea to focus on one specific sport.

How to Calculate Your Winnings

Calculating your potential total return from an Alphabet investment on your own is challenging. This is a tricky bet with many different outcomes and variations. A bet calculator is the easiest way to determine how much you’d win.

An Alphabet bet calculator is set up to give you the required information. You only need to enter the criteria on your bet slip. Afterwards, you can enter your winning and losing picks to see how much your sportsbook owes you. It’s as simple as that! The best aspect is that you can edit those settings on the fly as things change.

Alphabet Betting Tips

One of the main reasons people take Alphabet bets is because it covers a lot of ground. You have a lot of possibilities to win across those six tournaments. You can win a return without all your selections placing. You don’t have to win all six to get a return.

Example:
Let’s look at an example using horse racing. Say you’ve made your six picks and divided your bets accordingly. Only selections 1 and 6 emerge victorious at the end of the day. Those options are both taken care of. The first Patent bet covers selection 1, while the second covers selection 6.

You won’t obtain the best return with just one or two picks winning. You’ll probably need at least four to draw even or make a profit. Furthermore, choices 1 and 6 yield the lowest profit.

Why Make an Alphabet Bet?

Overall, the benefit of the Alphabet bet is broader coverage and the chance to win big. Because intricate combination bets are perceived as a more significant risk, many newer bettors prefer to avoid them. However, while they come with more significant stakes, these bets can be useful.

They cover more scenarios, increasing your chances of getting some return rather than none at all. Statistically, your odds of winning are higher, even if it’s a lower amount.

These wagers are more expensive upfront. Even if your unit stake is only £1, you must put down a total stake of £26. Always keep in mind that an Alphabet bet has a total of 26 wagers.

While that may appear to be a large sum, it is reflected in how much you could earn.

What’s the Difference Between an Alphabet Bet and Other Combination Bets?

There are a whole host of combination bets. You can keep things simple by playing low-stakes games like the Trixie or the Lucky 15. Others enhance the stakes by going for the big Goliath or Super Heinz type bets.

In the end, each combination bet works similarly. The difference is due to the different sorts of bets available, the number of selections available, and the possibility of a more significant total return.

The Alphabet bet is no different and is one of many options among other combination bets.

What Sports Work Well with Alphabet Bets?

Alphabet betting is suitable for almost every sport. The sole restriction is that the sport must include minor competitions or matches. You wouldn’t utilize an alphabet bet on a single football match, for example, because you don’t have six options to choose from. You might, however, put Alphabet bets on six Premier League games.

Racing events are the most popular. Punters are frequently seen betting on horse and greyhound races.

Summary

Bets on the alphabet letters can add a lot of spice to the game. While they appear complicated initially, they’re not too tough to comprehend if you understand how they function. Thanks to the intelligent wagers featured in the Alphabet bet, you can risk your money safely and boost your chances of earning a return.

Similar Bet types:
What is a Yankee Bet – A bet consisting of 11 bets with four selections on different events. This bet includes six doubles, four trebles, and one four-fold accumulator. Find out more in our Yankee bet guide.

What is a Lucky 15 Bet – A Lucky 15 bet spices up your betting experience with 15 wagers on four thrilling picks on events. You get four singles, six doubles, four trebles, and the big four-fold accumulator. Find out more in our Lucky 15 guide.

What is a Patent bet – A Patent bet adds complexity to your betting by placing seven bets on three picks across different events. You are getting three singles, three doubles, and a treble! Find out more in our Patent bet guide.

Other FAQ’s

Can I use free bets or bonuses to place an Alphabet bet?
This always depends on the bookmaker’s terms and conditions, which can also change for each free bet or bonus offer. So, while you can potentially use free bets or bonuses to place an Alphabet bet, always check with your chosen bookmaker and each specific offer to understand the rules and restrictions.

How do I keep track of my Alphabet bet selections and their outcomes?
You can check the bet history or transaction section in your betting account. This displays selections, bet types, and outcomes. Additionally, most bookmakers offer bet-tracking features or notifications to help you stay updated on the progress of your bets.

What happens if one or more of my selections are non-runners or void?
If one or more selections in your Alphabet bet are non-runners or void, the affected bets within the Alphabet will be voided. But the remaining bets will still stand, with the trebles becoming doubles and the doubles becoming singles.