Quick summary
A Lucky 15 is a bet made up of four selections and 15 individual bets: 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold. You don’t need all your picks to win to get a payout—just one winner triggers a return. This structure makes it more flexible than a traditional accumulator.
What is a Lucky 15?
A Lucky 15 takes four selections and automatically creates the following:
- 4 singles (one per pick)
- 6 doubles (every two-pick combo)
- 4 trebles (every three-pick combo)
- 1 four-fold accumulator (all four picks)
That’s 15 total bets—hence the name.
If you stake $1 per line, your total stake is $15. You choose the stake per line, not a lump sum like a parlay.
Some sportsbooks offer bonuses for hitting all four or even if just one wins.
Real example
You pick the following teams to win:
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- Newcastle United
You place a Lucky 15 at $1 per line = $15 total.
If 1 team wins:
You win one single. If the winner is priced at +150, your return is $2.50.
If 2 teams win:
You win 2 singles and 1 double. Example:
- Manchester City (+120)
- Liverpool (+110)
Return breakdown:
- Man City single = $2.20
- Liverpool single = $2.10
- Double = $4.62Total = $8.92 (not break-even, but better than just one win)
If 3 teams win:
You win 3 singles, 3 doubles, 1 treble.
Assuming +120 for each team:
- Singles = $6.60
- Doubles = $14.52
- Treble = $10.65Total return = $31.77 (profit on $15 stake)
If all 4 win:
All 15 bets win: 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold. With odds around +120, payout exceeds $100—more with bonuses.
When to use a lucky 15
- You want coverage and flexibility
- You have 2–4 confident picks
- You’re betting small stakes for a decent return
- You’re backing underdogs and want singles coverage
- You want a structure that still pays when 1–2 legs miss
- You’re betting across a busy sports schedule
Tips and strategies
- Keep your stake in check—$1 per line = $15 total
- Stick to four quality picks
- Include at least one high-value underdog
- Look for sportsbooks offering Lucky 15 bonuses
- Use for events spread across the day (so you can follow or cash out)
- Don’t rely on all four landing—two or three winners can still return a profit
- Try each-way Lucky 15s for horse racing—great if your horses place often
- Save them for high-volume weekends or tournament slates
Frequently asked questions
How many bets are in a lucky 15?
Fifteen: 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold.
How does payout work?
Every winning line pays individually. You get a return even if only one pick wins.
What if one leg loses?
You still win any singles, doubles, or trebles that don't include the losing pick.
Can I do an each-way lucky 15?
Yes. That doubles your total to 30 bets—15 for the win, 15 for the place.
Can I use lucky 15s for futures?
Yes, if all four selections are available in the sportsbook's futures markets.
Is lucky 15 better than an accumulator?
Yes, if you want flexibility. Accumulators need all legs to win. Lucky 15s pay out even with one winner.
Can I include props?
Depends on the sportsbook. Some allow it; others restrict Lucky 15s to standard match outcomes.
Can I mix sports?
Yes. Football, racing, tennis—most sportsbooks support mixed-sport Lucky 15s.
Can I cash out a lucky 15 early?
Some sportsbooks offer full or partial cash-out depending on how many legs are still active.
When's the best time to use one?
Big race days, football weekends, or any time you have four strong opinions.
Learn more
To explore other flexible betting structures like Yankees, Trixies, or system bets, visit The Advantage—your guide to data-first betting education.