Patent Bet

What Is a Patent Bet?

A patent bet is a full-cover multiple made up of three selections. It contains 7 separate bets in total: 3 singles, 3 doubles and 1 treble. Because it includes singles, you can still receive a return if only one of your three selections wins.

The simplest answer to “what is a patent bet?” is this. It’s a way to back three selections while covering every possible single, double and treble combination. The total stake is your chosen unit stake multiplied by 7.

For example, if you choose a £1 unit stake, your total patent bet stake is £7. Choose a £2 unit stake, and your total stake is £14. Each of the 7 component bets is settled separately, then the returns are added together.

A patent is often used by bettors who like the upside of multiples but don’t want the all-or-nothing structure of a straight treble. However, the extra coverage also means a higher total stake than placing one treble on the same selections.

How a Patent Bet Works: The 7 Bets Breakdown

A patent is built around three selections, which we can call Selection A, Selection B and Selection C. The bet slip then creates every single, double and treble from those picks.

Patent Bet Example: Step-by-Step Calculation

Here is a simple patent bet explained with decimal odds and a £1 unit stake.

You select:

Your patent contains 7 bets at £1 each, so your total stake is £7.

If all three selections win, the returns are:

This example shows why patents can produce a strong return when all three selections win. It also shows why stake control matters. You aren’t placing one £1 bet, you’re placing 7 separate £1 bets.

If only Selection A and Selection B win, while Selection C loses, the returns are:

If only Selection A wins, the return is £2 from the single. Since the total stake was £7, the overall result is a £5 loss. Newer bettors often overlook this. A patent can return money without necessarily producing a profit.

How to Calculate Patent Bet Returns

To calculate patent bet returns manually, work through each of the 7 parts and add together the winning returns. Our sports bet calculator can help you calculate potential returns across different winning combinations without working through every component manually.

The basic formula for each part is:

For singles, use one set of odds. For doubles, multiply two prices. For the treble, multiply all three prices. Losing components return nothing.

If you use fractional odds, you can either convert them into decimal odds or calculate each profit separately and add the stake back to winning lines. Decimal odds are often simpler for manual calculations because the return already includes the stake.

Before placing a patent, check:

• The unit stake, not just the total stake.
• The total cost of all 7 bets.
• What happens if one, two or three selections win.
• Whether a return is also a profit after the full stake is deducted.

This is especially important with shorter-priced selections. A single short-priced winner may return very little compared with the total cost of the patent.

Patent Bet vs Trixie: Key Differences

A patent and a trixie both use three selections, but they aren’t the same bet. The key difference is that a patent includes singles, while a trixie does not.

A trixie contains 4 bets: 3 doubles and 1 treble. This means at least two selections must win for a trixie to return anything. A patent contains those same 4 multiple bets, plus 3 singles, making 7 bets in total.

The patent is more forgiving because one winner can produce a return. The trade-off is cost. At the same unit stake, a patent costs more than a trixie. For example, a £1 trixie costs £4, while a £1 patent costs £7.

A patent may suit bettors who want some coverage if only one selection wins. A trixie may suit bettors who are only interested in the combined outcomes and are comfortable with needing at least two winners.

Each-Way Patent Bets: How the Payout Changes

An each-way patent adds another layer to the bet. Instead of backing each selection only to win, you are backing each selection to win and to place under the terms offered for that market.

A standard win-only patent has 7 bets. An each-way patent usually doubles this to 14 stakes: 7 win components and 7 place components. That means a £1 each-way patent normally costs £14 in total, because the £1 applies to the win side and the place side.

The win part is settled like a normal patent. The place part is settled using the applicable place terms, such as the place fraction and qualifying positions for that event. These terms can vary by market, event and bookmaker, so they should always be checked before betting.

Each-way patents are often associated with racing-style markets, where place terms are a major part of the decision. They can provide more ways to receive a return, but they also increase the total stake and make the payout calculation more complex.

Best Sports and Markets for Patent Bets

Patent bets can be used wherever a bookmaker allows multiple betting on three selections. They are most practical in markets where you understand the odds, the settlement rules and the relationship between your selections.

They may be considered for racing, football, tennis, cricket, rugby or other sports where three separate selections can be combined. The important point is not the sport alone. It is whether the prices and risk profile make sense.

Don’t assume a patent is suitable just because you like three selections. Consider whether singles would be more disciplined, whether a treble offers the risk you actually want, or whether the patent’s extra cost is justified by the added coverage.

Also think about correlation. If selections are closely linked, the risk may be different from three independent picks. Some bookmakers may also restrict certain related combinations, so always check the bet slip and market rules.

Patent Bet Tips and Staking Strategy

No patent bet strategy can guarantee profit. The aim is to make better decisions before staking, not to remove risk. A sensible approach starts with price, probability and bankroll control.

First, treat the patent as 7 bets. Decide your total amount at risk before choosing the unit stake. If your budget for the bet is £7, the unit stake is £1. If your budget is £14, the unit stake is £2.

Second, compare odds where available through line shopping, which involves checking prices across different sportsbooks to find the most favourable odds for your selections. If you are already planning to place a patent, comparing available odds can help you assess whether the potential return justifies the risk. Better prices do not make a poor selection good, but they can improve the value of a bet you have already assessed.

Third, avoid using patents simply to make a bet feel safer. The singles add coverage, but the total stake is higher than a single or treble. If only one short-priced selection wins, you may still lose most of your stake.

Finally, keep records. Track the unit stake, total stake, odds, selections and result. Over time, this helps you see whether you are using patents selectively or relying on them too often for action.

Common mistakes include chasing losses with larger patents, ignoring the total stake, choosing three selections without assessing each price, and mistaking a payout for profit. Set limits, bet only where legal, use licensed operators where required, read the relevant terms and avoid betting money you cannot afford to lose.