Lucky 15 bets are one of the most popular multiple bets in horse racing and sports betting. But how do they compare with other well‑known bet types like Yankees, Canadians, Accumulators, Lucky 31s, and even simple Singles?
This isn’t theory. I’ve placed these bets myself, tried to calculate them by hand (usually unsuccessfully), and tested them through calculators to see how they behave. If you’ve ever wondered why punters choose a Lucky 15 over other bet types, this one’s for you!
Lucky 15 vs Yankee
A Yankee bet is 11 bets involving 4 selections: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold accumulator. There are no singles in a Yankee. A Lucky 15, on the other hand, adds 4 singles to that structure, making 15 bets in total.
The key difference is that with a Yankee, you need at least two winners to get a return. With a Lucky 15, a single winning selection still pays something (and some bookmakers even enhance the odds if you only get one winner).
| Feature | Lucky 15 | Yankee |
|---|---|---|
| Total number of bets | 15 (4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 fourfold) | 11 (6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 fourfold) |
| Minimum winners needed for a return | 1 (from singles) | 2 (from doubles) |
| Bookmaker bonuses | Often includes 1 winner consolation (double odds) | Rarely offered |
| Stake size | 15 × unit stake | 11 × unit stake |
Lucky 15 vs Canadian (a.k.a. Super Yankee)
A Canadian (or Super Yankee) uses 5 selections across 26 bets: 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfolds, and 1 fivefold. Again, there are no singles in a Canadian, so you need at least 2 winners to get any return.
The Lucky 15 is smaller (4 selections, 15 bets), but it includes singles, which lowers the barrier to winning something. A Canadian is more aggressive: more bets, higher stakes, but also bigger potential returns if multiple selections win.
| Feature | Lucky 15 | Canadian |
|---|---|---|
| Total selections | 4 | 5 |
| Total number of bets | 15 | 26 |
| Includes singles? | Yes (4) | No |
| Minimum winners for a return | 1 | 2 |
Lucky 15 vs Accumulator
An accumulator (acca) is a single bet that links multiple selections together. All selections must win for the acca to return anything. The attraction is the huge odds if everything lands, but the risk is also huge: one losing selection kills the whole bet.
A Lucky 15 spreads the risk. Instead of needing all 4 selections to win, you get returns from singles, doubles, trebles, and the fourfold. It’s essentially an accumulator “hedged” with smaller bets.
| Feature | Lucky 15 | 4-fold Accumulator |
|---|---|---|
| Total number of bets | 15 | 1 |
| Minimum winners for a return | 1 | 4 |
| Risk | Spread, more forgiving | All-or-nothing |
| Potential payout | Moderate but steady | Potentially huge, but rare |
Lucky 15 vs Lucky 31
A Lucky 31 expands the concept of a Lucky 15 to 5 selections, totalling 31 bets. Like the Lucky 15, it includes singles, doubles, trebles, fourfolds, and a fivefold. The cost is higher, but so is the chance of hitting multiple combinations.
For me, the Lucky 31 feels like the “next level” if you want more coverage. It’s popular with punters who want to spread risk across more horses or teams.
| Feature | Lucky 15 | Lucky 31 |
|---|---|---|
| Total selections | 4 | 5 |
| Total number of bets | 15 | 31 |
| Includes singles? | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum winners for a return | 1 | 1 |
| Stake size | 15 × unit stake | 31 × unit stake |
Lucky 15 vs Single Bets
Singles are the most straightforward bet. One selection, one outcome: if it wins, you get paid. No complicated structures.
A Lucky 15, by comparison, is like placing 15 singles, doubles, trebles, and a fourfold in one go. The stake is higher, but so is the chance of landing at least some returns.
| Feature | Lucky 15 | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Total selections | 4 (combined into 15 bets) | 1 |
| Stake size | 15 × unit stake | 1 × unit stake |
| Complexity | High – needs calculator | Simple |
| Risk | Spread across 15 bets | All-or-nothing per bet |
Overall Comparison: Lucky 15 vs All Bet Types
| Bet Type | Total Selections | Total Bets | Singles Included? | Minimum Winners for Return | Stake Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky 15 | 4 | 15 | Yes | 1 | 15 × unit stake |
| Yankee | 4 | 11 | No | 2 | 11 × unit stake |
| Canadian | 5 | 26 | No | 2 | 26 × unit stake |
| Accumulator (4-fold) | 4 | 1 | No | 4 | 1 × unit stake |
| Lucky 31 | 5 | 31 | Yes | 1 | 31 × unit stake |
| Single | 1 | 1 | N/A | 1 | 1 × unit stake |
Conclusion
The Lucky 15 is a unique bet because it strikes a balance between risk and reward. Unlike an accumulator, it doesn’t require perfection. Unlike a Yankee or Canadian, it gives you something back for just one winner. Compared with singles, it adds excitement by linking selections together without making it all-or-nothing.
That’s why it remains one of the most popular multiple bets among UK punters. Personally, I prefer a Lucky 15 when I have four strong favourites but don’t want to risk everything on them all landing. It gives me a safety net, but still lets me chase big wins if multiple selections come in.
Tony is the CEO of Lucky 15 Calculator. He has 10+ years of both website and app development / engineering and sports journalism. His two passions collide for Lucky 15 calculator where he builds and updates the world's leading Lucky 15 calculator and leads a team of expert horse racing & igaming journalists.