What is an Alphabet Bet?

An alphabet bet type is 26 bets in total, covering six different horse races.

An alphabet bet is a popular choice for punters and bettors who enjoy horse racing with multiple meetings. However, it can sometimes extend into other sports.

These bets are generally split into six selections, with several races in each. Therefore, before you place an alphabet bet, make sure to look into the races you’d like to bet on to make sure that they are coverable.

As with other large bets, an alphabet bet comes with multiple stake types with different names. If you have never bet this way before, it can seem a little confusing at first!

Read on, and we will cover everything about the alphabet bet system below.

How to Place Alphabet Bet?

To place an alphabet bet, you will need to make six different selections.

This is a bet type which allows you to place multiple stakes on the same six races. Therefore, six is the magic number here. Instead of placing a single bet on six races separately, you could stand to multiply your money.

The different selections included in an alphabet bet are as follows:

• Two patent bets. The first patent bet covers your first three races, with the second patent bet covering 4, 5 and 6. This covers a total of 14 bets.
• A Yankee bet, which covers four races from numbers 2 through 5. This covers a total of 11 bets.
• Finally, there is an accumulator bet, which covers all 6 races in one go. This, as with other accumulator bet types, covers one stake.

This type of bet ensures that you maximise your potential return on 6 selections. To make this bet work, you will ideally need to look for horses in races at competitive odds.

However, you could stand to make money on an alphabet bet regardless of the odds you choose. It is seen as complex and sometimes risky because of the combinations involved.

However, as we will discuss shortly, this is a system which could pay braver bettors handsomely.

It is always a good idea to focus on one particular sport with an alphabet bet. You should, ideally, also place the two horses you feel have the least chance of winning in slots 1 and 6.

Adding up your alphabet bet betting slip can be complex. This is because you will need to carefully place your patent bets, then your Yankee bet, then your accumulator.

That’s why it is a great idea to make sure you use an alphabet bet calculator before you put any money down, or before you consider any positions. Keep reading, and we will show you how to work a calculator to your advantage.

How to Use the Alphabet Bet Calculator?

Due to the fact, there are 26 different bets across just 6 selections; it’s not easy to manually work out your returns – which is why we recommend using the alphabet bet calculator.

1. Firstly, select “Alphabet” on the ‘Bet Type’ dropdown.
2. Once you have done this, the ‘Number of Selections’ will automatically choose six picks.
3. Select the ‘Outcome’ for everything you have selected like “Winner”, “Placed”, “Lost.”
4. Select the ‘Odds’ for each of the selected like “3/1”, “5/1”, “12-1”
5. Select the ‘Stake’ wagered on each bet like “£2”, “£10”, “£30.”
6. The Alphabet Bet Calculator will then work out total outlay, total return and the total profit.

Are Alphabet Bets Worth It?

Alphabet bets could make you a lot of money (odds depending) as only one selection needs to win.

Therefore, regardless of odds, only one of your six selections needs to come in for you to be able to take any money away.

However, this is where things can get a little complicated on your bet slip. You will be placing multiple bets on each of the six races, meaning that all of these need to convert.

You also need to consider how much you wager when it comes to bet stakes.

An alphabet bet will effectively multiply your initial stake or wager by 26, as that is how many bets you are essentially placing.

For example, if you want to place £2 on each bet in an alphabet bet, this will cost you £52 in total. The 26 different bets, from your patents to your Yankee, will all add up.

Therefore, even if you do win on your first patent and second patent, it may not be enough to cover your entire stake. Your total stake may outweigh the return on your single selection, meaning you only win part of your money back.

This is why alphabet bets are seen as reasonably complex! Do always consider the different events and bets which apply to your selections, as well as odds and your existing cashflow.

How many Horses have to Win for an Alphabet Bet?

You only need one horse to win an alphabet bet.

However, as stated, this might mean you only win a portion of your stake back.

The more horses which win on your bet – of course, the more money you’ll get back.

An alphabet bet is very popular with bettors and punters looking at different events in a single meeting.

Other 6 Selection Bet Types

Here are other bet types that include six selections:

• Lucky 63
• Heinz
• 6-Fold Accumulator
• Tote Placepot
• Tote Jackpot

These all work much differently to alphabet bets. Do read through their T&Cs before you get started.

Which Bookies do an Alphabet Bet?

In terms of six selection bet types, alphabet bets are pretty uncommon. However, you should still be able to get them on at all of the leading bookmakers – whether that’s online, or in a shop.

What Happens if a Selection is a Non-Runner?

Having a non-runner in your bet can often be frustrating – but it’s not always bad news. If you do have a non-runner, it will just become void, so the doubles in your bet become singles, the trebles become doubles and so on. So, you could end up better off with a non-runner – especially if it was unlikely that that selection would win.

What Happens if the Selection Dead Heats?

A dead heat within an Alphabet wager is treated the same as with any multiple bet types where that selection is divided by two if he shares the win with another horse.

If there is a dead heat, then the stake is divided by the number of runners, and if an each-way bet the number of places.

Alphabet Free Bets Bonus

If placing a free bet on an alphabet then beware on the capped payout limit applied.

For online bookies sign up offers it is worth checking the terms and conditions.

Free bets are generally most commonly used on single bets and not advised to wager a free bet on an alphabet bet type.

FAQs

How Do I Win Every Time?

There is no guaranteed way to win on alphabets every time.

Your best chance of winning will be converting on at least one horse with favourable odds. This is because even though this is a combination bet, you will only need to win on one horse.

What is a Patent Bet?

A patent bet covers seven bets on three selections.

In alphabet betting, this means you are placing patent bets on races 1,2 and 3, and then 4,5 and 6.

Is a Patent a Good Bet?

It is a good bet if you are unsure how your selections will come in.

You can win on a patent bet even if you lose in one-half of your races.

Other Bet Types

There are a range of other bet types too. To find out about the different types of bets, please take a look at these pages below:

Summary

To summarise, an alphabet bet is potentially a great way to make a big return on a relatively small stake. However, as it has 26 bets, you will be multiplying your initial stake by 26.

Therefore, there will always be risk involved. It is a midpoint option in terms of larger bets. However, to make an alphabet bet work, you need to think carefully about your unit stake, your selections’ odds, and whether or not you are going to get a return worth paying in for.

As always, please read up on any T&Cs when it comes to any alphabet bet or combination bet selections! Always make sure it is a stake you can feasibly cover.