Patent Bet Explained: What Is a Patent Bet & How Does It Work?
If you’re exploring sports betting, understanding the main bet types can help you make more informed choices. One of the more distinctive options you may come across is the Patent Bet, which at first glance seems to hold more parts than a simple accumulator.
This blog post gradually unpacks what a Patent Bet involves, how its parts fit together, how potential payouts are added up, and how it compares with a Trixie.
Read on to find out how its different layers connect.
What Is a Patent Bet in Sports Betting?
A Patent Bet is a form of multiple bet that brings together three separate selections and then combines them in every possible way. Nothing is left unlinked, meaning each selection is connected through several combinations.
The full Patent is made up of seven parts in total, though the reason for that number may not be immediately obvious. Later, you’ll see how those seven parts—three singles, three doubles, and one treble—link together to create a full picture.
You will often see Patents discussed in relation to football, horse racing, or tennis. If you choose to place one, it might appeal because it allows a wider spread of possible returns across those sports. Before that becomes clear, it helps to look at how all seven elements come into play.
How Does a Patent Bet Work?
Each Patent spreads its total stake across seven separate bets that settle individually. If one of your three chosen selections were to win, one of those seven parts would return something; if two were to win, more of those parts would come into play. The full combination unfolds if all three were successful.
This layered effect happens because the total outlay is divided evenly across those seven parts. For instance, a £1 Patent would require £7 in total—£1 on each of the three singles, three doubles, and the treble.
Imagine three football picks priced at 2/1, 5/2, and 3/1. With £1 per line:
If only the 2/1 pick wins, just that single would return £3 in total.
If both the 2/1 and 5/2 win, their singles and their double all return, giving a higher overall total.
If all three win, every single, double, and the treble contributes.
At this stage, you can see how a Patent creates a layered system rather than a single all-or-nothing outcome. The next section shows how those seven bets are actually arranged.
How Many Bets Are in a Patent Bet?
A full Patent always contains seven individual bets. These are three singles, three doubles, and one treble—all built from three selections. Every possible combination of those three is included, which explains the total count of seven.
Because each part has its own separate stake, the total cost simply equals seven times the unit amount. If each line were £0.50, the total would be £3.50; at £1 per line, it would be £7. That setup allows you to scale it according to whatever spend limit you’ve set for yourself if you’re interested in placing this sort of bet.
Once this pattern becomes familiar, it’s easier to recognise how a Patent differs from another well-known three-selection multiple called a Trixie.
What Makes a Patent Bet Different from a Trixie?
The Patent and the Trixie may seem close at first glance—they both use three selections—but there’s one key difference that changes how they behave. A Trixie leaves out the singles, while a Patent keeps them in.
That distinction affects how early a payout might occur. A Trixie only returns anything if at least two selections win, since there are no singles to settle on one result. A Patent, on the other hand, allows a return through one winning single even if the other selections lose.
The overall spend differs as well: a Trixie has four parts, while the Patent’s seven parts make it slightly larger. The following section looks more closely at how each of those parts is settled and added up.
How Are Patent Bet Winnings Calculated?
Each piece of a Patent settles on its own. Singles pay out at the odds of their specific selection, doubles are worked out by multiplying the odds of two winners, and the treble does the same for all three. The totals from each winning part are then combined to form the overall payout.
Here’s an illustration. Suppose you choose to place a £1 Patent on three horse racing selections priced at 3/1, 2/1, and 4/1:
If only the 3/1 horse wins, its single returns £4 in total, while the other six parts return nothing.
If both the 3/1 and 2/1 win, each of their singles pays out, and their double also returns based on their combined odds.
If all three win, every single, double, and the treble all add up for the final total.
Many bookmakers provide online calculators so you can enter your odds and see how each part contributes before you choose to bet.
Remember, only ever play within your own limits, and take time to pause or step away whenever you need to. Gambling should always remain a form of entertainment, not a way to recover losses or address financial pressures.
If you choose to play, it helps to set clear spend and time boundaries before you start, and stick to them regardless of the outcome. Most betting sites offer deposit limits, time reminders, and self-exclusion options to support responsible play—these can make it easier to keep your gambling in check.
If you ever feel that gambling is affecting your well-being, relationships, or finances, seek support as soon as possible. Organisations such as GamCare, GambleAware, and the National Gambling Helpline provide free, confidential advice and guidance at any time.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.