What is a Goliath Bet?
In sports betting, system bets are designed to offer punters broad coverage across multiple selections, increasing the chances of a return. One of the most extensive and ambitious types of system bets is the Goliath bet. As the name suggests, it’s a giant among bets — both in scale and potential reward. It’s not a bet for the faint-hearted, but for those who are confident in a large number of selections, the Goliath offers excitement, complexity, and the possibility of significant winnings.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly what a Goliath bet is, how it works, what it costs, and whether it could be the right betting strategy for you.
What is a Goliath Bet?
This type of wager is a full-cover system bet that consists of a grand total of eight different selections across different events. It includes every possible multiple bet involving two or more selections but does not include singles. In total, a Goliath comprises 247 separate bets:
- 1 Eight-fold accumulator
- 8 Seven-folds
- 28 Six-Folds
- 56 Five-folds
- 70 Four-folds
- 56 Trebles
- 28 Doubles
To see any return from a Goliath bet, at least two of your selections must win, as there are no singles included. The more selections that win, the more combinations will result in a payout, increasing your overall return.
How Much Does a Goliath Bet Cost?
Since a Goliath consists of 247 bets, your total stake is calculated as:
Unit stake × 247
For example:
- A £1 Goliath = £247 total stake
- A £0.50 Goliath = £123.50 total stake
If you choose an each-way Goliath, the number of bets doubles to 494, as each bet has a win and a place component. That means:
- A £1 each-way Goliath = £494 total stake
This makes the Goliath one of the most expensive bets to place, so it’s essential to be confident in your selections and have a suitable bankroll to accommodate it.
How a Goliath Bet Works
Let’s say you choose the following eight horses to win at a major horse racing festival:
- Horse A at 5/2
- Horse B at 3/1
- Horse C at 4/1
- Horse D at 7/2
- Horse E at 6/1
- Horse F at 5/1
- Horse G at 9/2
- Horse H at 10/1
Your Goliath will automatically cover all 247 multiple combinations of these eight selections. If only one horse wins, you’ll get no return. But if two or more win, you’ll begin to receive payouts on various multiples — starting with doubles and building up to the bigger combinations as more selections come in.
Advantages of a Goliath Bet
1. Maximum Coverage
The Goliath offers nearly every possible multiple combination across eight selections. It’s ideal for punters who want to cover all outcomes short of singles.
2. High Payout Potential
If six or more of your selections win — especially at decent odds — the returns can be substantial, thanks to the sheer number of combinations.
3. Great for Big Events
Goliaths are perfect for major sporting events, such as Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot, or football tournament matchdays, when there are many opportunities to back solid selections.
4. Thrilling and Engaging
With so many combinations in play, Goliaths offer ongoing excitement throughout the day as different selections come in and your returns build up.
Disadvantages of a Goliath Bet
1. High Cost
With 247 lines to cover, the total stake is steep. This makes it unsuitable for small-stakes punters unless very low unit stakes are used.
2. No Returns for Just One Winner
Because singles are not included, you need at least two winning selections to see any return.
3. Complex to Track
With 247 individual bets, it can be very difficult to monitor your progress without the help of an online betting calculator or a betting platform that tracks it for you.
4. Dependent on Multiple Results
The chance of all eight selections winning is extremely slim, and returns drop off significantly if only two or three come in — even if they’re at long odds.
When Should You Use a Goliath Bet?
The Goliath bet is best suited for punters who:
- Are confident in eight well-researched selections
- Want to cover every combination of multiples
- Are betting during a major sporting event with plenty of opportunities
- Have a sufficient bankroll to absorb the high cost of entry
It’s particularly popular during horse racing festivals and across packed football fixture lists, where experienced punters may spot several value bets.
Summary
The Goliath bet lives up to its name — it’s big, bold, and potentially very rewarding. But with that comes a higher risk and a significant outlay. It’s not for the casual punter looking to place a quick flutter, but for those with a good eye for value and the budget to back their confidence, it can be a strategic way to chase large returns across multiple events.
Used wisely and responsibly, a Goliath can be a thrilling way to enjoy a day of sport — and potentially turn a strong set of predictions into a major win.