A Lucky 15 bet is a combination bet that comprises four selections. The four selections are combined into a mixture of singles, doubles, trebles and one accumulator bet that covers all the different possible betting options for those selections.
In total, there are 15 different combinations of bets in a Lucky 15, which is how the bet gets its name.
Lucky 15 bets are a very popular type of full cover bet that are popular options for betting on horse racing and football in particular.
However, you can also place Lucky 15 bets on other sports and you can also combine bets across different sports and events into a single Lucky 15 bet.
As a full cover bet, a Lucky 15 is a very similar bet to a Yankee bet, only with a Lucky 15, you cover the four selections as individual single bets too, as well as covering the mix of doubles, trebles and accumulators also possible from the selections. Sometimes this bet is also called a full cover with singles bet.
Let’s now take a closer look at how a typical football-based Lucky 15 bet works
How a Lucky 15 Bet Works
A punter decides to place a £1 unit stake Lucky 15 bet on the following four Premier League football matches at the odds shown:
- Tottenham v Newcastle – Newcastle to win – 2.25
- Crystal Palace v Chelsea – Draw – 3.80
- Brighton v Arsenal – Arsenal to win – 1.75
- Wolves v Nottingham Forest – Wolves to win – 3.10
A Lucky 15 bet works by covering each of the different possible outcomes for the bet and combining them into one bet. This means the bet covers all the possible winning combinations for the four selections.
Here is how the 15 possible outcomes break down for the Lucky 15 bet above, together with the decimal odds for each single, double, treble and accumulator bet.
Four Singles
- £1 on Newcastle to win – 2.25
- £1 on Palace and Chelsea draw – 3.80
- £1 on Arsenal to win – 1.75
- £1 on Wolves to win – 3.10
Six Doubles
- £1 on Newcastle win and Palace & Chelsea draw – 8.55
- £1 on Newcastle win and Arsenal win – 3.94
- £1 on Newcastle win and Wolves win – 6.98
- £1 on Palace & Chelsea draw and Arsenal win – 6.65
- £1 on Palace & Chelsea draw and Wolves win – 11.78
- £1 on Arsenal win and Wolves win – 5.43
Four Trebles
- £1 on Newcastle win, Palace & Chelsea draw and Arsenal Win – 14.96
- £1 on Newcastle win, Arsenal win and Wolves win. – 12.20
- £1 on Newcastle win Palace & Chelsea draw and Wolves win – 26.51
- £1 on Palace & Chelsea draw, Arsenal win and Wolves win – 20.61
One Fourfold Accumulator
- £1 on Newcastle win, Palace & Chelsea draw, Arsenal Win and Wolves Win – 46.38
As this is a £1 Lucky 15 bet, and there are 15 different combination bets and singles that need to be covered with a unit stake, then this means a Lucky 15 bet on the above selections at a £1 unit stake would cost £15.
An Example of How a Lucky 15 Bet Pays Out
As is the case with multiple selection, full cover bets, a Lucky 15 pays out based upon how many of your selections win and how many lose.
A general rule of thumb to follow is that the more of your selections that win, the greater the value of your payout (and potential profit) will be.
Remember, as a Lucky 15 bet costs £15 to place (with a £1 unit stake), you would need to win at least 15x your unit stake in order to break even or return a profit.
As such, if you hit just one single selection, your Lucky 15 bet is unlikely to return a profit. However, if you can hit more than one winner, especially three or all four selections winning, then you will likely guarantee yourself a sizable return.
Let’s look at how the Lucky 15 bet would pay out for the different winning combinations:
Four Singles
- £1 on Newcastle to win – 2.25 – Returns £2.25
- £1 on Palace and Chelsea draw – 3.80 – Returns £3.80
- £1 on Arsenal to win – 1.75 – Returns £1.75
- £1 on Wolves to win – 3.10 – Returns £3.10
Six Doubles
- £1 on Newcastle win and Palace & Chelsea draw – 8.55 – Returns £8.55
- £1 on Newcastle win and Arsenal win – 3.94 – Returns £3.93
- £1 on Newcastle win and Wolves win – 6.98 – Returns £6.97
- £1 on Palace & Chelsea draw and Arsenal win – 6.65 – Returns £6.65
- £1 on Palace & Chelsea draw and Wolves win – 11.78 – Returns £11.78
- £1 on Arsenal win and Wolves win – 5.43 – Returns £5.42
Four Trebles
- £1 on Newcastle win, Palace & Chelsea draw and Arsenal Win – 14.96 – Returns £14.96
- £1 on Newcastle win, Arsenal win and Wolves win. – 12.20 – Returns £12.20
- £1 on Newcastle win Palace & Chelsea draw and Wolves win – 26.51 – Returns £26.50
- £1 on Palace & Chelsea draw, Arsenal win and Wolves win – 20.61 – Returns £20.61
One Fourfold Accumulator
- £1 on Newcastle win, Palace & Chelsea draw, Arsenal Win and Wolves Win – 46.38 – Returns £46.38
Your total return is simply the sum of all the line bets that win for you based on the outcome of the four selections you make.
It should be remembered that if you land two winners, you will win two single bets and one double bet. (3/15 lines)
If you land three winners, you will win three single bets, three double bets and one treble bet. (7/15 lines)
If all four selections win then you win all four singles, all six doubles, all four trebles and the fourfold accumulator. (15/15 lines)
The more winners landed, then the more lines win on your bet, which when they are added together can create a sizeable return.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Lucky 15 Bet
Advantages
- Individual unit bet size can be changed to make the bet more affordable.
- Possible for higher returns especially for three or four winners.
- Can be used across multiple sports and markets.
- Covers all betting combinations, offering a return if just one selection wins.
- Some Lucky 15 bets, such as those on horse racing selections, can be backed each-way too (at double the cost of a standard Lucky 15 bet).
Disadvantages
- Bet can be expensive to place (15x your unit stake)
- Likely to guarantee a profit only if at least two or three selections win.
- Deceptively difficult to land three or four winners on a Lucky 15.
Tips for When it’s Best to Use a Lucky 15 bet!
- It is best to use a Lucky 15 bet when you feel the chances of landing a fourfold accumulator are slim, but you feel that the majority of your selections stand a good chance of winning. This is especially the case if you have three relatively lower odds selections, and one higher odds pick in your choice of four selections.
- It can also be a good option if you would like to earn some return for a single winner, something you do not get with a Yankee full cover bet.
- If you find your accumulators are falling short by one or two selections, then a Lucky 15 could be a profitable option.
Lucky 15 is one of the cheapest and potential most effective full cover with singles bets you can make at football betting sites, or similar. However, you should always gauge whether this type of bet is the most effective bet to make on your selections, or whether there is a better option available to you.
