Lucky 15

A Lucky 15 is a combination of 15 accumulator bets and singles. It’s similar to a Yankee accumulator in that it requires four selections, with the bets compromising of six doubles, four trebles, a single four-fold accumulator and four singles, making 15 bets in total.

One winning selection guarantees some sort of return on investment and when all four selections are winning ones, all 15 bets land. It’s most commonly used in horse racing but it can be applied to any sports market.

Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien completed a Group race four-timer in June 2016 at the Curragh and we can see what profit could have been made if the four selections had been put in a Lucky 15. Sir Isaac Newton won the Group 3 International Stakes at odds of 11-8. If the bet had been a £1 per stake Lucky 15 (£15 total stake) then the bet would already be showing a return of £3.75 after one race. Following Ryan Moore’s victory on Roly Poly in the second leg, at odds of 3/1, the bet would have shown a small profit of 88p. So far, the wins combined comprise of two singles and one double. Minding then wins the Pretty Polly Stakes at odds of 1/5. The bet would now hold three winning singles, three doubles and a treble and would show a profit of £22.13. The bet would have been completed when Sword Fighter went on to win at odds of 11/4, with all 15 bets landing, giving a total return of £175.34 and a profit of £160.34.

Some bookmakers have been known to offer bonuses on Lucky 15 bets. For example, certain bookmakers will pay out 3x bonus if only one winner is selected and the other three selections are losers. Some bookmakers also pay a bonus if all four selections are winners. Each-way bets can also be placed on Lucky 15s. However, it’s very rare for Lucky 15 bets to qualify for the same bonuses and the win portion and it’s always worth checking your particular bookmaker’s terms and conditions.

The Lucky 15 is claimed to have been invented by Fred Done of Betfred in 1984. However, nearly all bookmakers offer this bet and they all have different bonus schemes. The bet does, however, always comprise of the same 15 bets and, while it originated in the UK, the bet is popular worldwide.