The Basics of the Trixie for Sports Betting
A Trixie bet is a type of permutation bet that allows you to back three selections and cover yourself against the possibility of one of those selections losing. Rather than backing all three selections in a straight up treble bet, a Trixie allows you to place four individual bets, giving you some insurance against the possibility of one of the selections losing. Keep reading for more information on the Trixie bet, some examples of Trixie bets, and more.
Updated on:
- October 27, 2025
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The Theory: How the Trixie Bet Works
How does a Trixie bet work? It’s actually quite simple. First of all, you need to put three (3) selections into your betslip. This will unlock the option for you to place a Trixie.
A Trixie involves a total of four (4) individual bets all placed at the same time. This means the amount you enter into the stake box is multiplied by four to cover these bets. For example, a €2.50 Trixie would need a total stake of €10.
The Trixie is made up of the following bets:
- 3 doubles
- 1 treble
So for 3 selections (A, B, and C) you get the following permutations:
- A & B
- A & C
- B & C
- A, B & C
In order for a Trixie bet to guarantee any kind of return, at least two of the selections must win. Since all double possibilities are covered, it doesn’t matter which two win. The prices of the winners dictate the end payout, so it’s always useful to look for value when placing these kinds of bets.
You can try predicting different outcomes and calculate exact returns using our Trixie bet calculator here.
3 Examples of a Trixie Bet
Trixies, is a betting system, can be used in any sport, so long as you have three qualifying selections. Here, we’ve provided three examples to show you how the payouts can vary on this bet type depending on the results. All of these bets are for a €5 unit stake (total stake €20).
Example 1
| Selection | Odds | Result |
| Crystal Palace to Win | 3/1 | WON |
| Bournemouth to Win | 4/1 | WON |
| Wolves to Win | 3/1 | LOST |
This bet would pay out a total of €100. Since two of the three selections won, the bet pays out based on the one winning double at 3/1 and 4/1.
Example 2
| Selection | Odds | Result |
| Crystal Palace to Win | 3/1 | WON |
| Bournemouth to Win | 4/1 | LOST |
| Wolves to Win | 3/1 | WON |
This bet would pay out a total of €80. Two of the three selections have won in this example. However, the odds are slightly different, so the overall payout is affected. This bet pays out based on the two 3/1 winning selections as a double.
Example 3
| Selection | Odds | Result |
| Crystal Palace to Win | 3/1 | WON |
| Bournemouth to Win | 4/1 | WON |
| Wolves to Win | 3/1 | WON |
This bet would pay out a total of €680. As all three selections in the bet have won, the bet pays out based on the three possible doubles and the treble.
Conclusions on the Trixie Bet
The Trixie Bet is a good bet if you want to cover the possibility of one option in a three-fold bet losing. Due to its simplicity and relatively low stakes, it is also a good gateway into learning more about system bets.
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FAQS
Why is it called a Trixie?
There’s not a lot of information on why it’s called a Trixie bet. However, it’s highly likely that the “Tri” part of the name is in reference to the fact that there are three selections in this bet type.
Does a Trixie bet cover singles?
No. Trixie bets only cover doubles and the treble. If only one of your selections wins, your bet will be settled as a loss.
Which sports can I use a Trixie bet on?
Trixie bets are most commonly used in horse racing and greyhound racing. However, you can use this bet type in any sport as long as you have three valid selections on the betslip.
Why should I place a Trixie over a treble bet?
Trebles are much riskier than Trixie bets, as in a treble, you need all three selections to win to get a return. A Trixie can provide some insurance and still give you a great payout as you only need two selections to win.
Is a Trixie better than a Patent bet?
This depends entirely on what you want from your bet. Patents do cover the singles, but as a result, you are placing seven bets instead of four. This means your initial layout to place the bet will be higher than a Trixie. If you’re confident at least two selections will win, the Trixie is the better option.