A patent bet is one of the most popular combo bets in sports and horse racing because it gives you seven chances to win from only three picks. The downside is cost (7 lines), but the upside is that even one winner can return something. Use the calculator below to quickly work out total stake, returns, and profit/loss.
Patent Bet Calculator (Win Only)
Enter your stake per line, the 3 sets of odds, and whether each selection won or lost.
Supported odds formats: decimal (3.50), fractional (5/2), and American (+250 / -120).
What is a betting patent?
A patent is a 7-line multiple bet built from 3 selections:
- 3 Singles
- 3 Doubles
- 1 Treble
Because singles are included, you can still get a return if only one pick wins. That’s what makes a patent different from a trixie, where you need at least two winners to get anything back.
How this calculator works
1) Total stake
Total outlay is simply:
Total stake = stake per line × 7
2) Line-by-line returns
Each winning line pays based on decimal odds multiplication:
- Single return = stake × selection decimal odds
- Double return = stake × odds A × odds B
- Treble return = stake × odds A × odds B × odds C
Any line containing a losing selection returns 0.
3) Profit or loss
Profit/Loss = total return − total stake
If this number is negative, it’s your net loss.
Quick worked example
Suppose your stake is £2 per line, and your selections are:
- Selection 1: 3/1 (wins)
- Selection 2: 2.50 (wins)
- Selection 3: 4.00 (loses)
Your patent costs £14 total (7 × £2). Winning lines are: Single 1, Single 2, and Double 1-2. The calculator sums those returns and subtracts £14 to show final profit/loss.
Why bettors use patents
- Lower all-or-nothing risk than accumulator-only betting.
- Flexible returns across one, two, or three winners.
- Good for medium-confidence picks where full acca risk feels too high.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting that stake is multiplied by 7 lines.
- Mixing odds formats without converting correctly.
- Overstaking because patents feel “safer.”
- Ignoring bookmaker rules on dead heats/voids/reductions.
Bankroll tips for patent betting
Use fixed staking
A consistent stake per line helps protect your bankroll from emotional swings.
Track ROI over time
One good day can hide bad long-term performance. Log total staked and total returned weekly.
Keep expectations realistic
Patents improve flexibility, not certainty. Variance is still real.
FAQ
Is a patent the same as a Yankee?
No. A Yankee uses 4 selections and 11 bets. A patent uses 3 selections and 7 bets.
Can one winner return a profit?
Sometimes, yes, if the winning single is at high enough odds versus your total stake. Often, one winner gives only a partial recovery.
Does this calculator include each-way patents?
No, this version is win-only. An each-way patent doubles the number of lines (14 total) and needs place terms.
Final note
This tool is for planning and education. Always double-check bookmaker settlement rules and gamble responsibly.