Accumulators Explained: Doubles, Trebles & Multiples

Accumulators - also known as acca's or multiples - are hugely popular in football betting. They’re exciting, offer big returns from small stakes and feel like a ticket to glory.

But there’s more to acca's than just piling in as many matches as possible. Used smartly, they can boost your bankroll. Used recklessly, they’re one of the quickest ways to burn through it.

Here’s what every bettor needs to know.

✅ What Is an Accumulator?

An accumulator combines two or more bets into one. Instead of placing single bets, you stack them together for a bigger combined price.

Double → 2 selections.
Treble → 3 selections.
4+ selections → Accumulator.

The catch? Every leg has to win. If even one loses, the whole acca is busted.

💡 Why Do Bettors Love Acca's?

✅ Small stake, big potential payout.
✅ Adds excitement across multiple games.
✅ Bookies often promote acca's with “Price Boosts” which increases potential returns.

Example:

Arsenal to win (1.50).
Liverpool to win (1.70).
Napoli to win (2.00).

‍Singles: £10 stake on each selection = £22 total profit returned if all teams win.
Treble: £10 stake = £41 total profit returned if all teams win.

The treble gives higher odds (5.10) because the risk is higher.

❌ Common Acca Mistakes

1️⃣ Chasing crazy odds – Adding 8+ legs at tiny odds (1.20) rarely ends well.
2️⃣ Ignoring team news – One rotated lineup can kill your entire bet slip.
3️⃣ Overconfidence in favourites – Even “sure things” slip up.
4️⃣ Stacking random leagues – If you wouldn’t normally bet on the Finnish 3rd Division, why throw it into your acca?

💡 Goals Guru Tip: Focus on quality over quantity. A smart double beats a risky 10-fold.

🏆 Smart Acca Strategies

Stick to 2–4 legs for a balance of risk and reward.
Use Draw No Bet or Double Chance on risky selections.
Avoid early kick-offs in your acca - if it loses, the rest of your bet is dead before the afternoon begins.
Consider splitting your acca into smaller multiples (e.g. two trebles instead of one six-fold).

🔄 Using Cash Out With Acca's

Bookies like Bet365 offer Cash Out, allowing you to settle your acca early.

Example: You’ve nailed the first 3 legs of a 4-fold and the bookmaker offers £80 Cash Out on your £10 stake (full payout = £150).

✅ If you’re nervous about the last leg, take the money.
✅ Alternatively, you can also play it safe by covering the other side of the bet on the last game. For example, if you backed Over 2.5 Goals then place a cover bet on Under 2.5 Goals, or if you backed a team to win then placing a bet on the other side in the Double Chance market will ensure you have all three possible outcomes - home win, draw and away win - nicely covered.

💡 Goals Guru Tip: Don’t rely on Cash Out as a crutch. Build your acca's carefully so you don’t need it.

⚠️ Why Acca's Are High Risk

Remember, every leg you add increases the chance of failure. Bookmakers love big acca's because they rarely land. If your goal is long-term profit, singles and doubles are usually smarter. If your goal is fun with a small stake, acca's are fine in moderation.