What is a Heinz Bet?
Sports betting offers a wide range of wager types, each catering to different risk levels and strategies. Among the more complex and intriguing types is the Heinz bet. Named after the famous Heinz company, known for its “57 varieties” slogan, the Heinz bet involves 57 individual bets. While it may sound complicated at first, it’s a popular choice for punters looking to cover multiple outcomes and increase their chances of a return. Let’s explore exactly what a Heinz bet is, how it works, and when it might be the right choice for your betting strategy.
The Structure of a Heinz Bet
A Heinz bet consists of six selections in different events, which are then combined to form 57 separate bets. These 57 bets are broken down as follows:
- 20 trebles
- 15 doubles
- 15 four-fold accumulators
- 6 five-fold accumulators
- 1 six-fold accumulator
What makes a Heinz particularly interesting is that it does not include any single bets. This means you need at least two of your six selections to win in order to receive a return.
An Example of a Heinz Bet
Imagine you’re placing a Heinz bet on six different football matches, choosing one team to win in each. Let’s say your selections are:
- Arsenal to beat Tottenham
- Liverpool to beat Manchester United
- Chelsea to beat Newcastle
- Man City to beat West Ham
- Brighton to beat Fulham
- Aston Villa to beat Leicester
Your Heinz bet will combine these six selections into the 57 separate bets outlined above. If only one of these teams wins, you’ll lose your entire stake. But if two or more selections win, you will receive a return — how much depends on the odds of the winning selections and how many of them were successful.
How Much Does a Heinz Bet Cost?
Since a Heinz comprises 57 bets, your total stake will be 57 times your unit stake. For example, if you place £1 per bet, the total stake will be £57. It’s essential to consider this when placing a Heinz, as the cost can quickly add up, especially if you’re increasing your unit stake.
Some bookmakers also allow each-way Heinz bets, which would double the number of bets to 114 — one set of 57 for the win part, and another set of 57 for the place part.
Why Choose a Heinz Bet?
A Heinz bet is often chosen by punters who want to back multiple selections but are looking for more coverage than a standard accumulator offers. Because of the way the bet is structured, even if not all your selections win, you can still receive a return. This reduces the all-or-nothing nature of a traditional accumulator.
The Heinz is particularly popular in sports such as horse racing, football, and tennis, where punters may have several strong fancies on a single day. If you believe several of your picks will win but not necessarily all, the Heinz offers a middle ground — higher potential returns than placing singles or doubles, but not as risky as a straight six-fold accumulator.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Allows for returns even if not all selections win
- Offers a wide range of combinations, increasing coverage
- Can result in significant profits if multiple selections come in
Cons:
- Expensive to place due to the high number of bets
- No returns unless at least two selections win
- Can be difficult to track and calculate manually
Summary
The Heinz bet is a robust and flexible betting option for punters who have strong opinions on several selections and want to increase their chances of seeing a return. While it does carry a higher stake requirement due to the number of bets involved, it rewards consistency and depth in betting knowledge. Whether you’re following a big day of racing or a packed weekend of Premier League fixtures, the Heinz offers a strategic way to back multiple outcomes — and potentially unlock big wins without needing every pick to come good.
As always, responsible betting is key. Make sure the size of your stake is within your budget, and don’t chase losses. A Heinz can be exciting and rewarding, but like all forms of betting, it comes with risk.