Patent Bet Calculator – 7 Bets From 3 Selections

A Patent bet packages seven bets from three selections into a single wager. The structure combines three singles, three doubles, and one treble. Unlike the Trixie, which excludes singles, the Patent guarantees a return from any single winner, making it the safer choice for punters who want full cover protection without excessive stake.

The name comes from the patent system used in late 19th century betting, though the bet type has evolved considerably since then. Today, the Patent represents a popular entry point into full cover betting, balancing manageable cost with genuine payout potential when multiple selections win.

Data from the Gambling Commission shows that 51% of men participated in some form of gambling in the four weeks prior to being surveyed, compared to 44% of women. Among these gamblers, horse racing attracts significant interest, with the BHA reporting that under-18 attendance at racecourses grew by 17% in 2025, reaching over 211,000 young visitors. This growing audience eventually becomes the next generation of punters, many of whom will discover structured bets like the Patent as they develop their betting knowledge.

Patent Structure

With three selections labelled A, B, and C, the Patent creates seven distinct bets. Three singles back each selection individually: A, B, and C. Three doubles combine pairs: A+B, A+C, and B+C. One treble links all three: A+B+C. Your unit stake multiplies by seven, so a £2 Patent costs £14.

The singles provide the crucial safety net that distinguishes the Patent from the Trixie. When only one selection wins, you recover some stake through that single bet. The recovery might not cover your entire outlay, but it beats losing everything. This insurance appeals to cautious punters and those who prefer gradual bankroll building over boom-or-bust outcomes.

The doubles and treble deliver the real returns when things go well. Two winners activate one double plus two singles, often generating profit despite one loser. Three winners trigger the full combination: three singles, three doubles, and the treble, multiplying your stake through every possible permutation.

The mathematical structure means your returns accelerate rapidly with additional winners. The jump from one winner (single only) to two winners (single + single + double) to three winners (all seven bets) creates exponential growth. This progression makes the Patent attractive for punters who have identified multiple value selections across different races.

Patent vs Trixie

The Trixie excludes singles, comprising only four bets from three selections: three doubles and one treble. This makes the Trixie cheaper per unit stake but more volatile. A Trixie needs two winners minimum to generate any return, while a Patent pays something from any single winner.

Cost comparison favours the Trixie on raw numbers. A £1 Trixie costs £4 while a £1 Patent costs £7. That £3 difference buys the singles coverage that defines the Patent’s defensive character. Whether this insurance represents value depends entirely on how likely you consider single-winner scenarios.

When all three selections win, the Trixie returns more per pound staked because none of your money was allocated to singles that pay lower odds than combinations. The Patent spreads your stake across more bets, diluting the returns from the highest-paying treble. For aggressive punters confident in multiple winners, the Trixie offers better efficiency.

Conservative punters prefer Patents because near misses generate partial returns rather than total loss. Horse racing produces plenty of near misses: your selection leads until the final furlong, gets caught on the line, or finishes a fast-closing second. The Patent acknowledges this reality by covering you when only one fancy delivers.

Your betting temperament determines the right choice. Neither structure is objectively superior; they serve different approaches to risk.

Calculation Examples

Consider a £2 Patent (total stake £14) with selections at 4/1, 5/1, and 6/1.

Scenario 1: One winner (selection A at 4/1 wins). Only the single on A pays. Returns: £2 × (4+1) = £10. Your loss: £14 stake – £10 return = £4. You have limited the damage compared to the £14 total loss you would suffer on a Trixie or accumulator.

Scenario 2: Two winners (selections A at 4/1 and B at 5/1 win). Two singles and one double pay. Single A returns £10. Single B returns £2 × 6 = £12. Double A+B returns £2 × (5 × 6) = £60. Total: £10 + £12 + £60 = £82. Your profit: £82 – £14 = £68. Two mid-priced winners have nearly quintupled your stake.

Scenario 3: All three winners. All seven bets pay. Three singles return £10 + £12 + £14 = £36. Three doubles: A+B = £60, A+C = £2 × (5 × 7) = £70, B+C = £2 × (6 × 7) = £84. Double total = £214. Treble: £2 × (5 × 6 × 7) = £420. Grand total: £36 + £214 + £420 = £670. Your profit: £670 – £14 = £656.

Scenario 4: Long shots. Replace those selections with three 10/1 chances. All three winning generates: three singles = £66, three doubles = £726, treble = £2,662. Total = £3,454 from a £14 stake. The treble alone contributes over 77% of the return, demonstrating why the combination bets matter so much when selections deliver.

Each Way Patent

An each way Patent doubles your total bets from seven to fourteen, with separate win and place wagers on each component. A £1 each way Patent costs £14. You run parallel structures: seven bets backing your selections to win, seven bets backing them to place at reduced odds.

Place terms vary by race type and field size. Standard terms pay 1/4 or 1/5 of the win odds for horses finishing in the places. A selection at 12/1 with 1/4 terms pays 3/1 for a place only. This reduced payout still contributes to your returns when horses run well without winning.

The each way structure shines in scenarios where your selections consistently hit the frame without necessarily winning. If all three place without any winning, you collect returns from your place single bets, place doubles, and place treble. The amounts are smaller than win returns but still meaningful, particularly when the combined place odds remain favourable.

Mixed results produce the most complex calculations. A winning selection pays both win and place portions. A placed selection pays place only. Two winners and one place triggers different combinations of full and partial returns across your fourteen bets. Our calculator handles these scenarios automatically, separating win and place returns before combining them into your total.

Each way Patents suit competitive races where multiple horses have legitimate chances. The doubled stake requires careful bankroll management, but the protection against narrow defeats often justifies the additional investment.

Bonus Payouts

Several bookmakers offer bonus enhancements on Patent bets. The most common bonuses include percentage boosts when all three selections win and consolation payments when only one selection succeeds.

All-winner bonuses typically add 10% to 25% extra on your returns when the full house lands. This enhances the already substantial payout from triggering all seven bets. The percentage applies to your winnings rather than your stake, so larger returns generate larger bonuses.

Consolation bonuses address the frustration of single-winner Patents. Some bookmakers double your single returns when only one selection wins, transforming a loss-minimising scenario into a potential profit. Others refund a portion of your losing stake. These offers vary significantly between operators, making comparison worthwhile before placing your bet.

Bonus terms require careful reading. Minimum odds thresholds sometimes apply, excluding very short-priced selections from triggering bonuses. Maximum payout caps may limit your enhanced returns on large stakes. The Gambling Commission oversees these promotional terms as part of their regulatory responsibilities, but understanding the specifics remains your responsibility as a punter.

Shop around before committing your Patent. Different bookmakers offer different enhancements, and the right bonus structure can meaningfully improve your expected returns over multiple bets.