What Is a Lucky 15 Bet?
A Lucky 15 is a popular full-cover bet consisting of 15 bets on 4 selections:
- 4 singles
- 6 doubles
- 4 trebles
- 1 four-fold accumulator
The “Lucky” name comes from special bonuses many bookmakers offer: double odds if only one selection wins, and a 10% bonus if all four win.
Lucky 15 structure (4 selections: A, B, C, D):
| Bet Type | Combinations | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | A, B, C, D | 4 |
| Doubles | AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD | 6 |
| Trebles | ABC, ABD, ACD, BCD | 4 |
| Four-fold | ABCD | 1 |
| Total | 15 bets |
Key feature: Only 1 winner needed for a return (thanks to singles).
Lucky 15 vs Yankee: The Key Difference
| Feature | Lucky 15 | Yankee |
|---|---|---|
| Selections | 4 | 4 |
| Total bets | 15 | 11 |
| Includes singles | Yes (4) | No |
| Stake ($5 unit) | $75 | $55 |
| Minimum winners | 1 | 2 |
| Bonuses | Common | Rare |
Choose Lucky 15 when: You want singles coverage and bonus potential Choose Yankee when: You’re confident at least 2 will win and want lower stakes
Lucky 15 Bonuses Explained
Most bookmakers offer special bonuses on Lucky 15 bets:
1 Winner Bonus: Double Odds
If only one selection wins, many bookmakers double the odds on that single.
Example: Selection A wins at 4.00 odds, others lose
- Normal single return: $5 × 4.00 = $20
- With double odds bonus: $5 × 8.00 = $40
This bonus significantly improves returns when luck is against you.
All 4 Winners Bonus: 10% Extra
If all four selections win, some bookmakers add 10% to your total winnings.
Example: Total return is $500
- With 10% bonus: $500 + $50 = $550
Bonus Terms to Check
- Some bonuses require all selections to start
- Minimum odds may apply (e.g., each selection 1.50+)
- Check if the bonus applies to the single only or total return
- Some bookmakers offer 20% for all winners instead of 10%
Lucky 15 Example: Complete Breakdown
Your Selections
| Selection | Event | Decimal Odds |
|---|---|---|
| A | Thunder Bolt (Horse) | 5.00 (4/1) |
| B | Silver Storm (Horse) | 6.00 (5/1) |
| C | Golden Flash (Horse) | 4.00 (3/1) |
| D | Bronze Arrow (Horse) | 8.00 (7/1) |
Unit stake: $2 Total stake: $2 × 15 = $30
All 15 Bets Breakdown
| # | Type | Selections | Combined Odds | Return ($2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Singles | A, B, C, D | 5, 6, 4, 8 | $10, $12, $8, $16 |
| 5 | Double | A+B | 30.00 | $60 |
| 6 | Double | A+C | 20.00 | $40 |
| 7 | Double | A+D | 40.00 | $80 |
| 8 | Double | B+C | 24.00 | $48 |
| 9 | Double | B+D | 48.00 | $96 |
| 10 | Double | C+D | 32.00 | $64 |
| 11 | Treble | A+B+C | 120.00 | $240 |
| 12 | Treble | A+B+D | 240.00 | $480 |
| 13 | Treble | A+C+D | 160.00 | $320 |
| 14 | Treble | B+C+D | 192.00 | $384 |
| 15 | 4-fold | A+B+C+D | 960.00 | $1,920 |
Lucky 15 Outcomes: What You Win
All 4 Win ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
| Bet Type | Count | Total Return |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | 4 | $10+$12+$8+$16 = $46 |
| Doubles | 6 | $60+$40+$80+$48+$96+$64 = $388 |
| Trebles | 4 | $240+$480+$320+$384 = $1,424 |
| Four-fold | 1 | $1,920 |
| Total | 15 | $3,778 |
| + 10% Bonus | $4,155.80 |
Profit: $4,125.80 (from $30 stake)
3 Win, 1 Loses ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
A, B, C win; D loses:
| Bet Type | Winning Bets | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | A, B, C | $10+$12+$8 = $30 |
| Doubles | A+B, A+C, B+C | $60+$40+$48 = $148 |
| Trebles | A+B+C | $240 |
| Four-fold | Lost | $0 |
| Total | $418 |
Profit: $388
2 Win, 2 Lose ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗
A and B win; C and D lose:
| Bet Type | Winning Bets | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | A, B | $10+$12 = $22 |
| Doubles | A+B | $60 |
| Trebles | None | $0 |
| Four-fold | Lost | $0 |
| Total | $82 |
Profit: $52
Only 1 Wins ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗
Only A wins at 5.00:
| Bet Type | Winning Bets | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Single A | 1 | $10 |
| All other bets | Lost | $0 |
| Total | $10 | |
| With Double Odds Bonus | $20 |
Without bonus: -$20 loss With bonus: -$10 loss (or break even at higher odds)
None Win ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Total Return: $0 Loss: -$30
When to Use Lucky 15 Bets
Ideal Situations
- Horse racing - Unpredictable outcomes, bonus value, multiple races
- Longer odds selections - Singles and bonuses provide safety net
- 4 confident picks - Maximize bonus potential if all win
- Taking advantage of promotions - Bookmaker bonuses add real value
When to Avoid
- Short odds favorites - Singles don’t return much; use Yankee instead
- Tight budget - 15× stake adds up quickly
- Very uncertain picks - Consider 3-selection Patent instead
Lucky 15 Odds Analysis
Break-Even Scenarios
For a $30 stake (15 × $2), what odds does your one winner need to break even?
| Scenario | Odds Needed (with bonus) | Odds Needed (no bonus) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 winner | 7.50 | 15.00 |
| 2 winners (singles only) | 7.50 combined | 15.00 combined |
With double odds bonus: A selection at 7.50 (13/2) breaks even if it’s your only winner.
Optimal Odds Range
Lucky 15s work best with selections in the 4.00 - 10.00 (3/1 - 9/1) range:
- Short enough to have realistic winning chances
- Long enough for singles and doubles to provide meaningful returns
- Bonus doubles odds effectively on single winners
Quick Lucky 15 Returns Table
Unit stake: $2 (Total: $30)
| Odds (all same) | All 4 Win | 3 Win | 2 Win | 1 Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | $150 | $40 | $14 | $4 |
| 3.00 | $450 | $98 | $26 | $6 |
| 4.00 | $1,010 | $182 | $42 | $8 |
| 5.00 | $1,930 | $296 | $62 | $10 |
| 6.00 | $3,354 | $444 | $86 | $12 |
Returns exclude bonuses
Real-World Lucky 15 Example
Saturday Horse Racing
| Selection | Race | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| A | Star Runner, 2:30 Ascot | 9/2 (5.50) |
| B | Moon Shadow, 3:15 York | 7/2 (4.50) |
| C | Thunder King, 4:00 Newmarket | 5/1 (6.00) |
| D | Silver Queen, 4:45 Ascot | 4/1 (5.00) |
$1 unit = $15 total stake
Possible outcomes:
| Scenario | Return | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| All 4 win (+10% bonus) | $1,238 | $1,223 |
| A, B, C win | $186 | $171 |
| A, B win | $35 | $20 |
| Only A wins (with 2x bonus) | $11 | -$4 |
| None win | $0 | -$15 |
Lucky 15 vs Other 4-Selection Bets
| Feature | Lucky 15 | Yankee | 4-Fold Acca |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total bets | 15 | 11 | 1 |
| Includes singles | Yes | No | No |
| Stake ($5 unit) | $75 | $55 | $5 |
| 1 winner return | Yes | No | No |
| 2 winner return | Yes | Yes | No |
| All-win return | Medium | Lower | Highest |
| Risk level | Lower | Medium | Highest |
Lucky 15 Strategy Tips
1. Target the Bonuses
Choose selections where the single-winner bonus matters:
- 4.00+ odds make the double-odds bonus valuable
- All four winning triggers the 10% bonus
2. Diversify Events
Don’t put all selections in the same race or match:
- Spread across different races/events
- Reduces correlation between selections
- Maximizes chances of some winners
3. Research Each Selection
Every selection matters because it affects multiple bets:
- Selection A appears in: 1 single, 3 doubles, 3 trebles, 1 four-fold (8 bets)
- A weak pick damages 8 of your 15 bets
4. Consider Each Way
Each way Lucky 15 = 30 bets (15 win + 15 place)
- More coverage if selections place but don’t win
- Double the stake required
Rule 4 in Lucky 15 Bets
Rule 4 deductions affect bets containing that selection:
Example: Selection C has 25% Rule 4
| Bet Type | # Affected |
|---|---|
| Single C | 1 |
| Doubles with C | 3 |
| Trebles with C | 3 |
| Four-fold | 1 |
| Total affected | 8 of 15 |
Our calculator handles Rule 4 automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many winners do I need for a Lucky 15 to pay out?
Just 1 winner is enough for a return (from the single).
What’s the difference between Lucky 15 and Yankee?
Lucky 15 has 4 singles (15 bets); Yankee has no singles (11 bets). Lucky 15 pays on 1 winner; Yankee needs 2.
Do all bookmakers offer Lucky 15 bonuses?
No. Check terms before placing. Major UK bookmakers typically offer double odds for 1 winner and 10% for all 4.
Can I do an each way Lucky 15?
Yes. Each way Lucky 15 is 30 bets (15 win + 15 place), costing double the stake.
Is Lucky 15 good value?
With bonuses, Lucky 15 can offer excellent value, especially for horse racing where single-winner scenarios are common.
What’s a Lucky 31 and Lucky 63?
Lucky 31 is 5 selections (31 bets); Lucky 63 is 6 selections (63 bets). Same concept but more selections.
Start Calculating Your Lucky 15 Bets
Use our free Lucky 15 calculator above to:
- Enter odds for all four selections
- Input your unit stake (total = unit × 15)
- Apply Rule 4 deductions if needed
- See returns for every possible outcome
- Calculate with or without bonuses
The calculator shows what you’ll win for 1, 2, 3, or 4 winners, helping you understand the full potential of your Lucky 15 before placing your bet.