What Is a Yankee Bet?
A Yankee is a system bet consisting of 11 bets on 4 selections:
- 6 doubles
- 4 trebles
- 1 four-fold accumulator
A Yankee requires at least 2 winners for any return. It doesn’t include singles, making it more cost-effective than a Lucky 15 but requiring at least two selections to win.
Yankee structure (4 selections: A, B, C, D):
| Bet Type | Combinations | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Doubles | AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD | 6 |
| Trebles | ABC, ABD, ACD, BCD | 4 |
| Four-fold | ABCD | 1 |
| Total | 11 bets |
How the Yankee Calculator Works
Enter your four selections and unit stake:
| Input | Description |
|---|---|
| Selection 1-4 Odds | Odds for each of your 4 picks |
| Unit Stake | Stake per bet (total = unit × 11) |
| Rule 4 | Optional deductions for horse racing |
Yankee Stake Calculation
Total Stake = Unit Stake × 11 bets
Example: $5 unit stake = $55 total stake
Yankee Bet Example: Step by Step
Your Selections
| Selection | Event | Decimal Odds |
|---|---|---|
| A | Arsenal to win | 2.00 |
| B | Liverpool to win | 2.50 |
| C | Man City to win | 1.80 |
| D | Chelsea to win | 3.00 |
Unit stake: $5 Total stake: $5 × 11 = $55
All 11 Bets Breakdown
| # | Type | Selections | Combined Odds | Return ($5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Double | A+B | 2.00 × 2.50 = 5.00 | $25 |
| 2 | Double | A+C | 2.00 × 1.80 = 3.60 | $18 |
| 3 | Double | A+D | 2.00 × 3.00 = 6.00 | $30 |
| 4 | Double | B+C | 2.50 × 1.80 = 4.50 | $22.50 |
| 5 | Double | B+D | 2.50 × 3.00 = 7.50 | $37.50 |
| 6 | Double | C+D | 1.80 × 3.00 = 5.40 | $27 |
| 7 | Treble | A+B+C | 2.00 × 2.50 × 1.80 = 9.00 | $45 |
| 8 | Treble | A+B+D | 2.00 × 2.50 × 3.00 = 15.00 | $75 |
| 9 | Treble | A+C+D | 2.00 × 1.80 × 3.00 = 10.80 | $54 |
| 10 | Treble | B+C+D | 2.50 × 1.80 × 3.00 = 13.50 | $67.50 |
| 11 | 4-fold | A+B+C+D | 2.00 × 2.50 × 1.80 × 3.00 = 27.00 | $135 |
Yankee Outcomes: What You Win
All 4 Win ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
All 11 bets win:
- 6 doubles: $25 + $18 + $30 + $22.50 + $37.50 + $27 = $160
- 4 trebles: $45 + $75 + $54 + $67.50 = $241.50
- 1 four-fold: $135
Total Return: $536.50 Profit: $481.50
3 Win, 1 Loses ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
A, B, C win; D loses:
| Bet | Contains D? | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double A+B | No | ✓ Won | $25 |
| Double A+C | No | ✓ Won | $18 |
| Double A+D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double B+C | No | ✓ Won | $22.50 |
| Double B+D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double C+D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Treble A+B+C | No | ✓ Won | $45 |
| Treble A+B+D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Treble A+C+D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Treble B+C+D | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Four-fold | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
Total Return: $110.50 Profit: $55.50
2 Win, 2 Lose ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗
A and B win; C and D lose:
| Bet | Contains C or D? | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double A+B | No | ✓ Won | $25 |
| All others | Yes | ✗ Lost | $0 |
Total Return: $25 Loss: -$30
With only 2 winners, you typically won’t cover your stake unless the winning double has high odds.
Only 1 Wins ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗
All 11 bets lose because every bet requires at least 2 selections.
Total Return: $0 Loss: -$55
Yankee vs Lucky 15: Key Differences
| Feature | Yankee | Lucky 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Selections | 4 | 4 |
| Total bets | 11 | 15 |
| Includes singles | No | Yes (4) |
| Stake ($5 unit) | $55 | $75 |
| Minimum winners | 2 | 1 |
| 1 winner return | $0 | Yes |
| Bonus offers | Rare | Common |
Choose Yankee when: You’re confident at least 2 will win Choose Lucky 15 when: You want singles coverage and bonus potential
When to Use a Yankee Bet
Ideal Situations
- Confident in multiple selections - You expect 2+ to win
- Medium-priced selections - Odds between 2.00-5.00 work best
- Multiple events same day - Football Saturday, race meetings
- Lower budget than Lucky 15 - 11 bets vs 15 bets
When to Avoid Yankees
- Uncertain selections - If you might only get 1 right
- Very short odds - Low odds mean doubles don’t return much
- Need singles coverage - Use Lucky 15 or Patent instead
- Tight budget - 11× stake can add up
Yankee Probability Analysis
How often will different numbers of selections win?
| Individual Win Rate | 4 Win | 3 Win | 2 Win | 1 or 0 Win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | 2.6% | 15.4% | 34.6% | 47.4% |
| 50% | 6.3% | 25.0% | 37.5% | 31.2% |
| 60% | 13.0% | 34.6% | 34.6% | 17.8% |
Even with 50% accuracy on each selection, you’ll get 2+ winners about 69% of the time.
What Is a Super Yankee (Canadian)?
A Super Yankee (also called a Canadian) is the 5-selection version:
| Feature | Yankee | Super Yankee |
|---|---|---|
| Selections | 4 | 5 |
| Doubles | 6 | 10 |
| Trebles | 4 | 10 |
| Four-folds | 1 | 5 |
| Five-fold | 0 | 1 |
| Total bets | 11 | 26 |
Super Yankee stake: $5 unit = $130 total
Yankee Returns Quick Reference
Unit stake: $5 (Total: $55)
| Scenario | Odds 2.00 each | Odds 3.00 each | Mixed 2-3-4-5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 4 win | $295 | $785 | $1,095 |
| 3 win | $85 | $190 | varies |
| 2 win | $20 | $45 | varies |
| 1 wins | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Real-World Yankee Example
Saturday Football Yankee
| Selection | Match | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| A | Arsenal vs Brighton - Arsenal | 1.75 |
| B | Liverpool vs Wolves - Liverpool | 1.60 |
| C | Everton vs Burnley - Everton | 2.10 |
| D | Newcastle vs Brighton - Newcastle | 2.40 |
$10 unit = $110 total stake
If all 4 win:
- Doubles total: $28 + $36.75 + $42 + $33.60 + $38.40 + $50.40 = $229.15
- Trebles total: $58.80 + $67.20 + $88.20 + $80.64 = $294.84
- Four-fold: $169.34
- Total: $693.33 (Profit: $583.33)
If Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton win; Newcastle loses:
- Winning doubles: A+B ($28), A+C ($36.75), B+C ($33.60) = $98.35
- Winning treble: A+B+C = $58.80
- Total: $157.15 (Profit: $47.15)
Yankee Betting Strategies
Strategy 1: The Balanced Approach
Mix odds levels:
- 2 shorter odds (1.50-2.00) for reliability
- 2 medium odds (2.50-4.00) for value
This balances probability of 2+ winners with decent returns.
Strategy 2: Value Hunting
All selections at 3.00+ odds. Higher risk but:
- 2 winners often covers stake
- 3+ winners = significant profit
- All 4 = massive return
Strategy 3: Cross-Sport Yankee
Diversify across sports/events:
- Selection A: Football
- Selection B: Horse racing
- Selection C: Tennis
- Selection D: Basketball
Reduces correlation between selections.
Rule 4 in Yankee Bets
Rule 4 deductions apply to each bet containing the affected selection.
Example: Selection C has 20% Rule 4
| Bet | Rule 4 Applied? |
|---|---|
| Double A+B | No |
| Double A+C | Yes |
| Double B+C | Yes |
| Double C+D | Yes |
| Treble with C | Yes |
| Four-fold | Yes |
7 of 11 bets affected by Rule 4 on selection C.
Yankee vs 4-Fold Accumulator
| Feature | Yankee | 4-Fold Acca |
|---|---|---|
| Total bets | 11 | 1 |
| Stake ($10 unit) | $110 | $10 |
| Return if all win | Higher total | Lower total |
| Return if 3 win | Still profit | $0 |
| Return if 2 win | Small return | $0 |
| Risk level | Medium | High |
Same odds (all 2.50), $110 budget:
- Yankee: 11 × $10 bets
- 4-fold: 1 × $110 bet
| Outcome | Yankee Return | 4-Fold Return |
|---|---|---|
| All 4 win | $687.50 | $4,296.88 |
| 3 win | $187.50 | $0 |
| 2 win | $62.50 | $0 |
Accumulator pays more for all-winner scenario; Yankee provides downside protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many winners do I need for a Yankee to pay out?
Minimum 2 winners. With only 1 winner, all 11 bets lose.
What’s the difference between Yankee and Lucky 15?
Lucky 15 includes 4 singles (15 bets total); Yankee doesn’t (11 bets). Lucky 15 pays on 1 winner; Yankee needs 2.
Is a Yankee the same as a Canadian?
No. A Canadian (Super Yankee) has 5 selections and 26 bets. A Yankee has 4 selections and 11 bets.
Can I do an each way Yankee?
Yes. Each way Yankee is 22 bets (11 win + 11 place), costing double the stake.
What happens if one selection is void?
The Yankee reduces. Bets with that selection are settled on remaining selections. An 11-bet Yankee becomes a 4-bet Trixie if one selection is void.
Are Yankees good value?
Yankees offer good balance between coverage and cost. They’re better value than Lucky 15s when you’re confident of 2+ winners but want protection against 1-2 losers.
Start Calculating Your Yankee Bets
Use our free Yankee calculator above to:
- Enter odds for all four selections
- Input your unit stake (total = unit × 11)
- Apply Rule 4 deductions if needed
- See returns for every possible combination
- Compare with Lucky 15 to choose the best option
The calculator shows what you’ll win for 2, 3, or 4 winners, helping you understand the full range of possible outcomes before placing your Yankee bet.