A combo bet involves a combination of individual bets. Even though it seems self-explanatory, but to date, the concept remains one of the most confusing for bettors due to the complicated terminologies and calculations involved.
Because of this, a good number of punters aren’t aware of how they can utilize combo betting strategies to enhance their chances of making returns. So we decided to create an in-depth guide to explain the meaning of combination bets, the various types, and how you can implement them in your betting strategies.
What is a combo bet?
A combo bet, also called “a system bet” involves several combinations of different types of bets. Even though combo bets involve combinations, they are quite different from accumulator bets.
It’s important to note that there are several types of bets included in combo bets, such as singles, doubles, and triples. Then there are also several types of combo bets, such as the Trixie, Yankee, Canadian, etc. We go into more detail below.
What are the types of combo bets?
There are different types of combo bets you can place, including:
- Trixie: A Trixie includes selections from 3 different events and consists of 4 bets, 3 doubles, and 1 treble.
- Yankee: A Yankee includes selections from 4 different events and consists of 11 bets, which include 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold.
- Canadian: A Canadian includes selections from 5 different events and consists of 26 bets, which include 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, and 1 five-fold accumulator.
- Heinz: A Heinz includes 6 selections and consists of 57 bets: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds and 1 six-fold accumulator.
An example of a combo bet
Now let’s explore the inner workings of a combo bet using this simple Trixie combination bet I played on Betano as an example.
Example Trixie Combo bet on Betano
A Trixie includes selections from 3 different events and consists of 4 separate bets (3 doubles and 1 treble) (see tables below).
Here are the events and selections in our example Trixie bet:
This is what the calculation for our Trixie combo bet looks like:
This combination bet example is based on the exact Trixie bet I played on Betano (see image above). This bet consists of 3 doubles and 1 treble as I mentioned earlier. Now I was lucky to win all three events, meaning I received the maximum payout. But let’s imagine that the event at 1.19 odds was lost.
In that case, the bet combos 1, 3, and 4 (in our table above) will lose because their respective combos contain a losing event. In this scenario, I would only win the bet combo 2, which is the double bet containing only winning selections. So if the selection of 1.19 was lost, I would still receive 133.5 NG from the combo bet that didn’t contain the losing selection.
Compared to accumulator bets where a single losing bet will wreck the whole ticket, the combo can significantly minimize risk by reducing the number of games you’ll need to win to make returns. In this example, I'll still make a loss of 67 NGN, but that's better than a complete loss of my 200 NGN stake with accumulator bets.
Tips and strategies for playing combo bets
I've been playing combo bets for quite a while now, and here are some of my winning tips:
- Use your knowledge of sports: It goes without saying that you should “play what you know” to increase the chances of winning as a punter. This remains especially true for combo bets even if you don’t have to win all the selections to make returns.
- Include high-odd games: Higher odds obviously translate to higher potential winnings, but they incur significantly higher risk. So you might be wondering what is the advantage of adding high-odd games to combo bets. Let me break it down.
Let's take our Trixie combo bet above for example. Remember that your selections in combo bets are broken down into several combos of two, three, or more. Now each combination is treated as a separate accumulator bet with its own separate stake and payout.
Now in the losing scenario we discussed above, we were still able to receive a 133 NGN return from just 1 out of 4 bets. Here, the returns would have been much lower if I used smaller odds.
What are the pros and cons of combo bets?
Just like other types of bets, combo bets have their pros and cons. Something I like about combo bets is that they offer higher potential payouts.
Also, with combo bets, you can combine different betting markets to make your bet slip even more interesting. Additionally, you can even win some money if you lose some of your selections. However, this betting type is quite risky.
| Pros | Cons |
| Higher potential payouts | Increased risks |
| Allows you to combine different betting markets | |
| You can still win some money even if you lose some selections |
Where to place combo bets
You can place combo bets with different bookmakers in Nigeria, including:
- Betano.ng: This bookmaker is ideal for combo bets because it offers competitive odds. With Betano, you even get a 50% first deposit match of up to 200,000 NGN.
- 1xbet: Offers a wide range of events for you to bet on. Additionally, it has exciting betting markets.
- BetKing: Allows you to get up to 1,000,000 NGN free bets when you register. With this amount, you can place several combo bets.
- Bet9ja: With this bookmaker, you can bet on a variety of grassroots Nigerian football events.
- Nairabet: Has a friendly user interface that makes it easy to place bets.
Final words on combo bets
Coming across the combo bet meaning and learning all these new terminologies for the first time can be challenging.
This is especially true as other informational sites often mix up the combination bet meaning with combo betting markets. So if you're still struggling with the combo bet meaning, simply check out the “combo bet explained” section in this guide.
FAQs about combo bets
Do I have to win all my selections to win a combo bet?
No, you don’t need to win all selections in a bet to win a combo bet. For instance, in a Trixie combo bet, you may only need to win 2 out of the 4 bets involved to see returns, although profits aren’t guaranteed.
How do I place combo bets on bookmaker sites?
After making your selections, go to the bet slip section or page and search for “combo bet” or “system bets”. On bookies like 22bet, you’ll find the combo bet option in a drop-down list of the different bet types they offer.
Is combo betting suitable for beginners?
Once you understand the concept, you can confidently play combo bets regardless of your betting experience. However, implementing combo bets into betting strategies and calculating potential profits can be tedious even for experienced players.
How do I know if a bookmaker is legit for placing combo bets?
To know if a bookmaker is legit, take a look at the list of approved bookmakers in Nigeria by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. If a bookmaker is listed there, that means they are legit and you can place your combo bets without any fear.
