If you have seen the term patent bet and wondered what it actually means, you are not alone. With so many bet types around, it can feel tricky to tell them apart.
A patent is simply one way to cover several outcomes from three selections. The key is how those selections are combined and paid, which is where it differs from other multiple bets.
Below, we explain how a patent bet works, when it might be used, how it compares with other options, and how returns are worked out. Read on to learn more.
What Is a Patent Bet?
A patent bet is a multiple made from three selections that produces seven separate bets. Those seven are three singles, three doubles and one treble. In other words, every possible combination of your three picks is included, from each selection on its own through to all three together.
Because the stake is spread across seven lines, a patent can return something even if only one selection wins. That contrasts with some accumulator-style bets, which need several results to land before there is any payout.
Each line is its own wager, so the total cost is the stake per line multiplied by seven. For instance, a £1 patent costs £7. Most bookmakers present this clearly on the bet slip and may have their own stake limits or rules for how these bets appear on your account.
If you decide to try your hand at patent betting, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
How Does a Patent Bet Work in Sports Betting?
In sports betting, a patent starts with three separate outcomes. They could be three football teams to win across the weekend, three horses in different races, or a mix from sports on the coupon.
Those three picks are then covered in seven ways. Each selection goes in as a single. Every pair of selections forms a double. All three together make the treble. If one pick wins, the relevant single is settled at the stated odds. If two win, the singles and the double on that pair pay. If all three are successful, every part of the bet returns.
Online, the bet slip usually totals the cost automatically and shows a breakdown of the lines. In a shop, your slip or receipt performs the same role. Terms like minimum stakes or settlement rules can vary, so it might help to glance at the small print before considering placing a stake.
When Should You Use a Patent Bet?
A patent bet might appeal if you want cover on three selections without relying on all of them to win. It offers a balance between a straight accumulator, which needs every leg to land, and several singles, which do not benefit from the bigger combined payouts if more than one selection wins.
It is often considered for picks at moderate odds. For example, three football favourites or three well-fancied horses might produce regular singles returns, with the doubles and treble boosting the overall payout when more than one result goes your way. By contrast, if all three selections are at very long odds, the singles can still pay, but returns will be less frequent.
Cost matters, too. Because a patent is seven bets, the outlay is higher than staking a single accumulator. Some people set a clear budget for patents so the extra lines are planned rather than an afterthought.
What Makes a Patent Bet Different From Other Bets?
The defining feature of a patent is that it covers every single, double and the treble from three selections. That means one winning pick can still return something. Many accumulators do not do that, since they pay only when every leg wins.
It also differs from a Trixie, which uses the same three selections but includes only the three doubles and the treble. A Trixie needs at least two winners for a return. A patent includes singles as well, so it can pay with just one winner.
Because each line is staked separately, the total cost is easy to track. A £1 patent is £7, since there are seven lines. That clarity could help you compare it with placing three singles or a straight treble.
How Are Patent Bet Winnings Calculated?
Returns from a patent are the sum of whatever lines finish as winners. Each winning single, double and the treble is settled independently using the odds on your slip. The total you receive is simply all those winning amounts added together.
If only one selection wins, the return comes from that single alone. With two winners, you add the two singles and the relevant double. With three winners, every line pays, so you add three singles, three doubles and the treble. The final figure depends on the odds attached to each selection and how many lines land.
Most betting sites show a clear breakdown of what has settled and why. Many also provide calculators, which could be helpful if you want to see how a change in one result affects the overall return. If anything looks unclear, checking the site’s rules for multiples will usually answer it.
Example of a Patent Bet
Imagine a £1 patent on three football teams: Team X at 2/1, Team Y at 3/1 and Team Z at 4/1. That is £7 staked in total, with £1 on each of the seven lines.
If only Team X wins, you receive the single on X, which pays £3 in total at 2/1. If Team X and Team Y win, you add the X and Y singles (£3 and £4) and the XY double. Using decimal equivalents to keep it simple, 2/1 is 3.00 and 3/1 is 4.00, so the double returns £12, giving £19 in total from those three lines.
If all three teams win, every line pays. The singles return £3, £4 and £5. The doubles return £12, £15 and £20. The treble returns £60. Added together, the total return is £119 from a £7 stake. Odds and outcomes will change these figures, but the principle stays the same.
What Sports Are Best for Patent Bets?
Patents fit neatly with sports that offer frequent, distinct events and familiar markets. Football and horse racing are the most common examples. In football, three matches across a weekend can be combined using markets like match result or both teams to score. In racing, three selections across different races on a card create the same structure in a single afternoon.
They can also suit tennis, cricket, greyhound racing or golf, where consistent schedules and clear markets make it easy to find three separate picks. Bookmakers usually indicate where patents are available and will clarify any sport-specific rules.
Used with clear staking and sensible selections, a patent is a straightforward way to cover three picks while keeping room for a return if only part of the bet comes in. Always keep responsible gambling practices in mind.
