What Is an Accumulator Bet? How Acca Betting Works
How can odds of 1.80 suddenly turn into 5.83 or even more? It is not a special bookmaker bonus. It all comes down to the betslip format. Let’s figure out how the final odds are calculated. Moreover, you’ll see what risks they involve and when the bet is considered a winner.
What Is an Accumulator (Acca)?
An accumulator bet combines several selections in one betslip. You can include different types of betting markets, but every selection must win. Otherwise, the entire bet loses. In the US, this format is also commonly called a parlay bet.
How Does an Accumulator Work
To make it clearer, let us look at an example of how an acca works. Suppose you have chosen three football matches. Each selection has odds of 1.80. When you combine them in one betslip, the final odds will be:
1.80 × 1.80 × 1.80 = 5.832
If you stake €10 and all three predictions are correct, you will receive a payout of €58.32. Your net profit will be €48.32.
In this example, we calculated the final payout manually. But in reality, you will not have to do this. Even before placing the bet, you will already see the potential payout in the VivatBet betslip. There is a built-in accumulator calculator for this. It automatically multiplies the odds and shows how much you can win if your prediction is correct.
What Is an Each-Way Accumulator?
It is also worth remembering that, alongside the classic format, there is another version – an each-way accumulator. It is mainly used for horse racing and other competitions with several prize places. Each selection is split into two parts: one goes on the participant to win, and the second on them to finish in one of the specified places. Yes, the potential payout from the second part is usually lower. But you can still receive something even if the participants do not win, as long as they finish in the required places.
The Key Risk – State It Directly
An acca bet may be attractive because of the high potential payout. But it is still risky. One wrong prediction means the entire betslip loses.
Imagine you have added five events to a betslip. Four of them win, and only one prediction turns out to be wrong. Despite getting 80% of your predictions right, you receive nothing. If you had placed all of them as singles, four predictions would have produced payouts.
Accumulator vs Single
Both formats have their advantages and disadvantages. If you want to aim for the highest possible odds, an acca is your choice. If you have only just decided to join VivatBet and want to minimize the risks, choose a single bet.
Parameter | Single Bet | Accumulator |
Odds | Lower, as they apply to only one event | Higher, as all odds are multiplied |
Probability | Higher | Lower |
Dependence | On one selection | On every event in the betslip |
Experienced bettors often take this approach to football betting or other sports. If they have followed a particular tournament for a long time, they may combine several predictions in one betslip. For example, during the decisive rounds of top leagues. Singles are usually chosen for steady betting over time, where one losing match does not destroy the bankroll.
