Over the years, bettors have developed different betting strategies to manage risk, increase chances of winnings, and reduce losses. A prime example is the system bet, widely popular in sports betting to manage risk when dealing with multiple selections.
This article dives deeply into the system betting strategy, covering the following key aspects:
- What is system betting?
- When to use system bets?
- What are popular system bets offered by bookmakers?
System Bets Explained
A system bet combines multiple selections into one wager and creates various combinations. Interestingly, you don’t need all your picks to be successful before you get a return in this sports bets system. The strategy can be used across various sports and betting markets. It provides a more flexible and safer way to navigate sports wagering than conventional single bets or accumulators.
Example of a System Bet
Let’s consider a simple example. Imagine placing a $10 bet on 3 Premier League teams, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal, to win their respective matches using a system betting approach. Let’s say the odds for their victories are City at 1.37, Liverpool at 1.40, and Arsenal at 1.70. If you choose a system 2/3 bet, it means you are covering all possible double combinations: City-Liverpool (1.37 X 1.40 = 1.918 odds), City-Arsenal (1.37 X 1.70 = 2.329 odds), and Arsenal-Liverpool (1.70 X 1.40 = 2.38 odds).
Let’s say one selection, Arsenal, doesn’t win. You still receive a $19.18 return on the City-Liverpool combination (1.918 X $10 wager). This return represents a portion of your total $30 stake ($10 on each combination). However, if all selections succeed, you turn in the maximum return of $66.27 [(1.918 X $10) + (2.329 X $10) + (2.38 X $10)] from this system bet strategy.
When to Use a System Bet
System bets become valuable when you aim to control risks and reduce losses. They prove especially helpful when you feel confident about multiple selections but want to ensure some wins, even if one or more of your predictions lose.
The Difference between a Normal Bet and a System Bet
One of the significant differences between system and normal bets is that in the latter, you need all your predictions to be correct to win. However, with system sports betting, you can still get returns even if some of your predictions are incorrect.
Let’s draw a clearer distinction with the table below:
| Normal Bets |
System Bets |
| All predictions must be accurate for a win |
Returns are possible even if some predictions are incorrect |
| Less flexible |
More flexible |
| Higher potential returns, but with higher risk |
Potential returns may be lower per combination, but the risk is spread across selections |
| The entire stake is placed on a single outcome |
The stake is distributed across multiple combinations |
Placing a System Bet: Step-By-Step Guide
To create a bet system, pick the matches and selections you want to include in your wager. Next, select the type of system you prefer (e.g., the 2/3 system), usually based on the number of selections. You can do this by clicking the “System Bets” button on your sportsbook site or app. You can then enter your stake and place the bet once you have set your preferred system.
Understanding the system betting strategy might be confusing for a beginner. However, helpful tools like the system bet calculator app make navigating system bets easier. This tool allows you to check odds and calculate potential returns for your system bets. Other valuable tools that help simplify the betting process include the odds checker and the converter.
Popular System Bets Offered by Bookmakers
Bookmakers provide various system betting options for punters. Let’s explore some popular ones experienced bettors often use to enhance their wagering experience.
Trixie
As the name implies, a Trixie bet involves 3 selections, from which you can create four combinations. In a Trixie system bet example, you predict teams A, B, and C will win. These selections allow you to form combinations of 3 doubles (AB, AC, BC) and one treble (ABC). At least 2 picks must be correct to get a return.
Trixie bets are ideal if you are confident in 3 selections but want a buffer against potential losses.
Yankee
This variation involves four selections that can form 11 combinations. You also need at least 2 successful selections to get a return on the Yankee system bet.
For example, from a selection of 4 teams (A, B, C, D), you can form combinations of 6 doubles (AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD), 4 trebles (ABC, ABD, ACD, BCD) and one fourfold accumulator (ABCD). While this system offers significant potential returns with 100% successful selections, it’s crucial to stake wisely, considering the number of bets involved.
Canadian
In a Canadian bet, there are 26 bet combinations from 5 selections. You can form 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds, and one five fold accumulator. Considering the high number of bets, this multiple-system bet would require higher stakes. Hence, managing your stake wisely is essential to balance risk and reward.
Moreover, there can be subtypes of the Canadian five-selection system. These variations allow you to minimize your stake by betting on a fraction of the 26 combination bets. You can opt for a 2/5 system, a 3/5 system, or a 4/5 system. A 4/5 would mean placing bets exclusively on the 5 fourfold combinations, and a 3/5 involves only the trebles. Similarly, the meaning of system bet 2/5 would be betting solely on the double combinations.
Heinz
A Heinz is a six-selection wager that involves 57 bet combinations. You can form 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 five folds, and one sixfold accumulator. The advantage of multiple combinations like this is that you can still make a substantial return or profit even if one selection doesn’t win. For instance, you can still get a return on 27 combinations if 5 selections out of 6 wins. However, although Heinz is one of the most profitable sports betting systems, it’s crucial to be aware of its significant stake amounts.
Super Heinz
A Super Heinz involves 6 selections that create 120 bet combinations, including 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfolds, 21 five-folds, 7 six-folds, and one sevenfold. It’s essential to carefully manage your bankroll due to the higher stakes involved in this system.
The Heinz seven-selection system also has its sub-variations. You can opt for a 2/7, 3/7, 4/7, 5/7, or 6/7 system. A 2/7 would mean betting on only the double combinations, while the meaning of a system bet 3/7 would be betting on only the treble combinations, and so on.
Goliath
The Goliath bet system involves 8 different selections. You can create 247 bet combinations from each selection, including 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 four-folds, 56 five-folds, and 28 six-folds. While the Goliath bet promises a massive return with a small stake if successful, the overall bet amount can still be significant since each combination requires its stake.
However, you can opt for other variations of this eight-section Goliath system to minimize your stake. It could be a 2/8 bet on only the double bet combinations or a 3/8 wager on only the trebles. It can also be a 4/8, 5/8, 6/8 wager, or even a system 7/8 bet, which involves betting on only the 8 seven-fold bet combinations.
Double
As the name implies, a Double system wager involves 2 selections combined into one bet. It is a straightforward and uncomplicated option for those who prefer a simple bet approach. Both picks must be successful for the bet to win.
While the system double and traditional double are the same, they have distinct differences. For instance, imagine you are betting trebles on the 747 sportsbook. In this scenario, the double 747 system bet would be one of the combinations within a more extensive set of wagers. However, a traditional double is a straightforward standalone accumulator involving two outcomes.
Treble
A Treble involves 3 selections combined into one wager. Like the double, all selections must win for the bet to be successful. System trebles are also part of a more extensive set of combinations, unlike traditional trebles.
Lucky 15
The Lucky 15 bet involves 4 selections that create 15 combinations. You bet on all possible combinations of these selections, including 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and one fourfold accumulator. Also, a single accurate prediction is enough to secure a return.
Lucky 31
As the name implies, the Lucky 31 involves 31 bet combinations. It includes 5 selections that create 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds, and one fivefold accumulator.
Lucky 63
The Lucky 63 bet also involves 63 bet combinations. It includes 6 selections that create 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfolds, 6 five-folds, and one sixfold accumulator. Whether it’s football system betting or any other sports, wagers like this offer bettors more flexibility, as you only need one accurate selection to secure a return, however small.
Popular Sports for System Bets
System bets can be applied across various sports. However, the betting strategy is prevalent in football, where it can be used to bet on multiple match outcomes.
System betting is also popular in horse racing due to the many events. Let’s consider this example of the horse system bets explained. Imagine placing a Lucky 15 bet on a horse race. It would involve 4 horses in different races. If one horse fails to win, you can still secure returns through the other bets.
Beyond football and horse racing, system betting is also in various sports like basketball, tennis, American football, baseball, etc.
Tips & Tricks when Using System Bets
There are some essential tips and tricks to help you make the most of your system bets. Let’s examine some below.
| Tips |
Explanation |
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❗ Select the Appropriate Betting System
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Different system bets come with varying potential returns and associated risks. For instance, placing bets on all combinations in an eight-section Goliath system involves more risk and reward than opting for a 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, or a system 6/8 bet. Your chosen system must align with your betting plan and bankroll. Therefore, always assess the number of selections, the covered combinations, and the overall risk before selecting a betting system.
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❗ Detailed Betting Analysis for Each Selection of The System Bet
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Don’t just pick your selections at random. Conducting thorough research and analysis for each pick within your wager is one of the best system bets strategies. Consider factors like team form, player performance, recent outcomes, and other relevant statistics. It will help you make well-informed selections that will increase your success rate.
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❗ Betting Odds Should Always be Attractive for Good Leverage
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Although the difference is usually slight, the odds for a particular selection vary among sportsbooks. So, always compare odds across multiple bookmakers and find the most favorable for each pick. Also, learn how to use expected value in sports betting to your advantage, as placing wagers with positive EV ensures long-term profitability.
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❗ Only Bet on Sports You Know Well
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Betting on a sport you don’t understand is a ridiculous idea. Doing this means you’re relying unthinkingly on luck and making poor decisions, which reduces your chances of winning. It would help if you only bet on sports you deeply understand. It will help you make informed decisions regarding your bets.
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❗ Select Bet Types You Know
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Based on the system bet meaning explained earlier, system bets involve multiple selections combined into one wager. These can involve different bet types like totals, ht/ft, each-way, handicap bets, etc. However, sticking to familiar and simple ones is advisable, especially for beginners. Avoid experimenting with overly complex bet types to minimize errors. Similarly, opting for the not-so-complicated variations of complex system bet types, such as the 2/3, 5/8, 6/8, and 6/55 system bet, is available.
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❗ Look for “Safe” Bets (Banks) and Value Bets
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Safe bets are bets with a high probability of success, usually with lower odds. On the other hand, value bets are bets in which you believe the odds exceed actual probability, giving you maximum returns for your wins. Combining both strategies would enhance the reliability of your system bets and increase potential returns.
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❗ Add Risk and Underdog Bets
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Adding some riskier choices to your system bets can boost potential returns. However, it’s crucial to approach this strategy with careful analysis and research. Avoid randomly selecting underdogs and conduct thorough research to identify teams with a genuine chance of causing an upset.
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Advantages & Disadvantages of System Bets
Like any betting strategy, system betting comes with benefits but has its fair share of drawbacks. Let’s explore its pros and cons below.
| PROS |
CONS |
- It minimizes the impact of one loss.
- It allows for diversification.
- It’s flexible; you can use different system types for different strategies.
- High potential returns if all selections are accurate.
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- Unless you use a system bet calculator, calculating returns can be complex.
- It requires a higher overall stake due to multiple combinations.
- There is a significant loss if most or all selections fail.
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Final Words
The bottom line is system bets offer a dynamic, flexible, and strategic approach to sports betting. It is a valuable tool for managing risk and enhancing profits. However, it is not without its disadvantages. Therefore, even though system bets can improve your profit potential, it’s essential to approach them with a well-thought-out strategy, research, and analysis for each selection.
