The Basics of the Yankee Bet for Sports Betting
What is a Yankee bet? A Yankee bet is a type of permutation bet that allows you to back four selections in a variety of different individual bets, giving you insurance against losing selections. Only two of the four selections need to win in order to guarantee a return from a Yankee bet. It consists of a total of 11 individual bets and is commonly used in horse racing. Here, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Yankee bet, including some examples to show you how it works.
Updated on:
- October 27, 2025
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The Theory: How the Yankee Bet Works
To place a Yankee bet, you first need to put four (4) selections on your betslip. If done correctly, you’ll see the option to place a Yankee in the multiples section.
A Yankee bet consists of a total of 11 individual bets which include:
- 6 doubles
- 4 trebles
- 1 four-fold accumulator
Since the bet consists of 11 permutations, the amount entered in the unit stake box is multiplied by 11. For example, a €1 stake on a Yankee bet would see you place a total stake of €11.
In order for this bet type to guarantee a return, you need at least two selections to win. The amount that the bet returns will depend upon the total stake that is placed and the odds of the winning selections.
To easily work out your potential returns and profit for this system, try our Yankee Bet Calculator.
3 Examples of a Yankee Bet
To help you understand what a Yankee bet is and how it works, we have provided three examples with varying results to show how the payouts can be affected by which selections win and which don’t. Yankee bets are most commonly placed on horse racing, so we’re using this sport for our examples. Each example is based on a €1 unit stake for a total stake of €11.
Example 1
| Selection | Odds | Result |
| #1 | 4/1 | WON |
| #2 | 10/1 | LOST |
| #3 | 8/1 | WON |
| #4 | 20/1 | LOST |
The payout for this bet would be €45. Since two of the selections have won, this bet would pay out on the 1 winning double only.
Example 2
| Selection | Odds | Result |
| #1 | 4/1 | LOST |
| #2 | 10/1 | WON |
| #3 | 8/1 | LOST |
| #4 | 20/1 | WON |
The payout for this bet would be €231. Here, two of the selections have won again, so it only pays on the 1 double. However, the payout is bigger as the odds on the winning selections are larger.
Example 3
| Selection | Odds | Result |
| #1 | 4/1 | WON |
| #2 | 10/1 | LOST |
| #3 | 8/1 | WON |
| #4 | 20/1 | WON |
The payout for this bet would be €1,284. Here, three of the selections have won, so this bet pays out on the 2 possible doubles and 1 possible treble.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Yankee bet can be handy when you have four selections and you’re feeling confident that two of them will win. This would guarantee a return and allows you to take a bit of a risk with the other two selections in the hope that they can bolster your winnings significantly.
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FAQS
Why is it called a Yankee bet?
The Yankee is rumoured to be named after an American soldier who placed a small bet in the UK and won hundreds of thousands.
Does a Yankee cover singles?
No, a Yankee bet does not cover singles. The minimum number of winning selections to guarantee a return from a Yankee bet is two
What’s the difference between a Lucky15 and a Yankee?
As the name suggests, the Lucky15 consists of 15 bets compared to the 11 of a Yankee. This is because the Lucky15 also covers the four singles in addition to the doubles, trebles, and accumulator that the Yankee covers.
In which sports can I use a Yankee bet?
You can utilise the YB on any sport so long as you select four eligible selections. That said, it’s most commonly used in horse racing due to the bigger prices available in that particular sport.
What is the minimum stake for a Yankee bet?
The minimum unit stake for a Yankee is usually 5 cents, which would result in a total stake of 55 cents to place a Yankee.