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System Betting: A Guide to System Bets & Betting Strategies in 2025

  • Betting systems are bet types and strategies.
  • Multiple bet with several combinations.
  • Different from an accumulator bet.
  • Popular strategies: Martingale, Fibonacci, etc.
  • Can’t guarantee profits.
Richard Trenchard

Richard Trenchard

Last updated 26 Nov 2025

Have you ever found yourself asking what is a sports betting system? A betting system can refer to either the specific type of bet being placed or the strategies being used. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about both, providing information about the best system bets and the truth about their effectiveness.

Table of contents

  1. 1.Recommended Bookmakers for Placing System Bets
  2. 2.Part 1: System Bets (The Bet Type)?
  3. 3.Part 2: Betting Systems (The Strategy)
  4. 4.The Truth: Do Sport Betting Systems Really Work?

Recommended Bookmakers for Placing System Bets

Betting slips should be user-friendly and provide a smooth experience when used. They should be able to provide the odds correctly and instantly, displaying all the information correctly. The top UK bookmakers should also be mobile-friendly, with UK bettors using their mobile devices as their preferred option for sports wagering.

 

Paddy Power is trusted by millions of sports fans across the United Kingdom, with members enjoying competition-smashing odds on football, horse racing...

Overall rating
90%
Overall rating
86%

Part 1: System Bets (The Bet Type)?

A system bet can be defined as a multiple bet. They are comprised of a single stake, but many different bets are placed. However, they are not the same as an accumulator, as not all legs need to win for a payout.

Popular with UK bettors, a 2/3 system bet involves making three selections and automatically creating all possible double bets from those picks. As an example, bettors can select three outcomes to wager on. In football, this might involve selecting three teams and then creating doubles based on those combinations. This could look like:

  • Bet 1: Team A & Team B
  • Bet 2: Team A & Team C
  • Bet 3: Team B & Team C

In this example, if Team A & Team B were to both win, only Bet 1 would win, as Team C is involved in the two other bets. A payout will be received based on the calculation of the two odds relating to the correct selections and the stake placed.

Common types of system bets include:

NameNumber of SelectionsTotal Number of BetsBet Types Included

Trixie

3

4

3 Doubles, 1 Treble

Patent

3

7

3 Singles, 3 Doubles, 1 Treble

Yankee

4

11

6 Doubles, 4 Trebles, 1 Four-fold

Lucky 15

4

15

4 Singles, 6 Doubles, 4 Trebles, 1 Four-fold

Canadian (Super Yankee)

5

26

10 Doubles, 10 Trebles, 5 Four-folds, 1 Five-fold

Heinz

6

57

15 Doubles, 20 Trebles, 15 Four-folds, 6 Five-folds, 1 Six-fold

Super Heinz

7

120

21 Doubles, 35 Trebles, 35 Four-folds, 21 Five-folds, 7 Six-folds, 1 Seven-fold

Goliath

8

247

28 Doubles, 56 Trebles, 70 Four-folds, 56 Five-folds, 28 Six-folds, 8 Seven-folds, 1 Eight-fold

Part 2: Betting Systems (The Strategy)

The term “betting systems” can also refer to strategic approaches used to manage wagers. Many bettors employ these systems to maximise their potential wins, but it’s important to note that no system can guarantee success.

Some of the most popular betting systems include:

  • Martingale System – a classic negative progression system where the bet is doubled after each loss.
  • Fibonacci System – uses the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.) to determine bet sizes.
  • Labouchere System – involves writing a sequence of numbers representing the desired profit. After a win, numbers are crossed off, and after a loss, the lost amount is added to the end of the sequence.
  • D’Alembert System – increases the bet by one unit after a loss and decreases it by one unit after a win.

The Truth: Do Sport Betting Systems Really Work?

While betting systems can provide structure and entertainment, they do not guarantee profits. They cannot overcome the bookmaker’s margin, nor can they ensure long-term success.

What they do offer is a way to make betting more engaging, allowing players to track wagers strategically. Bettors should always remain responsible and realistic about their chances when employing these systems.

FAQ

What is the difference between a system bet and an accumulator?

The difference between a system bet and an accumulator is that the latter requires all outcomes on a bet to be successful for a payout. System bets can still provide returns if one or more selections of the bet lose.

What is a Trixie bet?

A Trixie bet is a bet type that requires three selections to be made, with four bets being placed in total. They are made up of the following bets: 3 Doubles, 1 Treble.

Are betting systems a guaranteed way to make money?

No, there is never any guaranteed way to make money when gambling. Betting systems can provide methods and strategies that bettors can follow to try to maximise their win potential.

What is the safest betting system?

No betting system is risk-free. Players must remain disciplined, whichever one they decide to use.

Can I place a system bet on a single game?

No, it isn’t possible to place a system bet on a single game. These bets require multiple selections to create multiple combinations (doubles, trebles, etc.). With only one game, it isn’t possible to make combinations.

Meet the Author

Richard Trenchard

Richard Trenchard

Sports Betting Writer (Flashscore)

We're delighted to have Richard on board at Flashscore. Offering a wealth of experience, Rich used to be a national newspaper and sports journalist before focussing entirely on the igaming and sports betting spheres. That means he is able to combine super sharp editorial instinct and crisp content with a wealth of information, having worked with some of the biggest names in the business over the past decade. So, when you see Rich's name on an article, you know it's packed information you can trust. Whether it's information on a particular casino, betting terms explained, betting tips, the best betting sites around, or anything else, Rich has got your back.

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    Sport Betting Systems Explained: System Bets & Strategies 2025