What Is a Canadian Bet & How Does It Work? Bet Explained
When exploring different types of bets in sports or other events, you may come across a Canadian bet, sometimes called a Super Yankee. This is a type of multiple bet that combines several selections into a series of bets, rather than treating each choice separately.
Understanding how it works can help you interpret potential returns and see how individual selections can contribute to the overall outcome.
In this guide, you will learn the structure of a Canadian bet, how to calculate potential winnings, and how it differs from single bets or simpler accumulators.
What Is a Canadian Bet?
A Canadian bet is a structured bet consisting of five selections. These selections are combined into 26 component bets within a single overall wager, covering doubles, trebles, four-folds, and a five-fold accumulator.
- 10 doubles – two selections combined
- 10 trebles – three selections combined
- 5 four-folds – four selections combined
- 1 five-fold accumulator – all five selections combined
This means you are betting on multiple combinations of outcomes simultaneously. Each bet uses the same stake per line, so the total cost is the stake multiplied by 26.
A Canadian bet allows returns if at least two selections are successful, although the total potential payout depends on how many selections win and their odds.
How Does a Canadian Bet Work?
The Canadian bet works by creating different combinations from your five selections. Each combination is treated as an individual bet.
For example, if your selections are A, B, C, D, and E:
- Doubles: AB, AC, AD, AE, BC, BD, BE, CD, CE, DE
- Trebles: ABC, ABD, ABE, ACD, ACE, ADE, BCD, BCE, BDE, CDE
- Four-folds: ABCD, ABCE, ABDE, ACDE, BCDE
- Five-fold: ABCDE
If you choose a stake of £1 per line, your total stake is £26 (£1 × 26). Potential returns depend on which selections win and the odds assigned to them by the bookmaker.
It is important to note that sports-betting involves chance. Even with multiple bets, outcomes cannot be predicted with certainty, and winnings can never be guaranteed.
How To Work Out a Canadian Bet
Calculating a Canadian bet involves working out each combination separately and then adding the possible returns.
Step 1: Identify Your Selections
Choose five selections and note their decimal odds. Decimal odds represent the total potential payout, including the stake.
Step 2: Calculate Each Combination
Multiply the odds of selections in each combination. Example:
- Treble with selections A, B, C with odds 2.0 each:
2.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 = 8.0
Step 3: Multiply by Stake per Line
If your stake per line is £1, multiply the calculated odds by 1.
Step 4: Sum All 26 Bets
After calculating each of the 26 combinations, add them together to find the total potential payout. Only the combinations where all selections win contribute to the payout. For example:
- If two selections win, only the doubles containing those two will pay.
- If three selections win, doubles and trebles including those selections pay, while four-folds and the five-fold only pay if all included selections win.
Each combination with a losing selection contributes £0. Adding all 26 results gives the total potential payout, including any partial wins from smaller combinations.
Step 5: Consider Total Stake
Subtract your total stake from the total potential payout to find net returns. For a £1 stake per line, the total stake is £26.
This process may appear complex, but it systematically shows how each selection affects the total outcome.
Canadian Bet On The Irish Lottery
Some UK bookmakers allow you to place bets on the Irish Lottery draw. These are bets on which numbers you think will be drawn, not official lottery tickets, and they operate under the bookmaker’s own rules and odds.
A Canadian bet can be applied to these lottery bets using the same 26-line structure as for sports betting:
- Choose five numbers.
- The bet is made up of 26 component bets:
- 10 doubles (pairs of numbers)
- 10 trebles (three-number combinations)
- 5 four-folds (four-number combinations)
- 1 five-fold accumulator (all five numbers)
- Total stake = stake per line × 26
Example of Partial Wins
Suppose you select numbers 3, 7, 12, 19, and 23, with £1 per line:
- Total stake = £26 (£1 × 26 lines)
- Drawn numbers: 3, 7, 12, 25, 30
Which bets pay?
- Doubles: Only the doubles containing 3, 7, or 12 will pay (e.g., 3 & 7, 3 & 12, 7 & 12).
- Trebles: Only trebles with all three winning numbers (3, 7, 12) will pay.
- Four-folds and five-fold: These include at least one number that did not come up, so they pay £0.
Add the returns from all successful combinations to calculate the total payout. This total reflects both full wins (all numbers in a combination drawn) and partial wins (some smaller combinations drawn).
It is important to check the bookmaker’s rules before placing any lottery bet, as odds and terms may differ from standard sports betting.
Canadian Bet FAQs
Why Is a Canadian Bet Called a Canadian?
The term “Canadian” is a name given to this five-selection, 26-bet structure. It is not directly related to Canada and follows the naming conventions of other multi-bets such as the “Yankee” or “Heinz.”
How Many Bets In a Canadian?
A Canadian bet consists of 26 separate bets:
- 10 doubles
- 10 trebles
- 5 four-folds
- 1 five-fold accumulator
This structure allows multiple ways to achieve potential returns from the same five selections, depending on which bets win. However, it’s important to remember that sports-betting involves chance, and winnings can never be guaranteed.
How Much Is a Canadian Bet?
The total cost is the stake per line multiplied by 26. For example:
- Stake per line: £1 → Total stake = £26
- Stake per line: £0.50 → Total stake = £13
The total stake directly impacts potential net returns.
Notes on Betting
Sports-betting and other wagers involve an element of chance. No system or bet type can guarantee winnings. It is recommended to check the bookmaker’s odds, market conditions, and terms before placing a bet. Consider carefully how much to stake per line, as the total stake for a Canadian bet is higher than a single bet on each selection. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
