What is a Lucky 31 Bet?
In the world of sports betting, system bets provide punters with a way to balance risk and reward. While accumulators promise large payouts, they also require all selections to win — making them a risky option. Enter the Lucky 31 bet, a popular system bet that offers a more forgiving structure while still allowing for big returns. It’s a firm favourite with both seasoned bettors and casual punters, especially in horse racing and football.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly what a Lucky 31 bet is, how it works, and when it might be the right choice for your betting strategy.
What is a Lucky 31 Bet?
A Lucky 31 is a type of full-cover system bet made up of five selections and 31 individual bets. These 31 bets include:
- 10 Trebles
- 10 Doubles
- 5 Singles
- 5 Four-fold Accumulators
- 1 Five-fold Accumulator
This means every possible combination of your five selections is covered, from standalone singles to the full five-fold accumulator.
The Lucky 31 is designed to give you multiple chances to win, even if not all of your selections are successful. Unlike some other system bets such as the Canadian or Yankee, the Lucky 31 includes single bets, meaning you can still get a return if only one selection wins.
How Much Does a Lucky 31 Bet Cost?
Because you’re placing 31 individual bets, your total stake will be:
Unit stake × 31
For example:
- A £1 Lucky 31 bet costs £31
- A £2 Lucky 31 costs £62
If you opt for an each-way Lucky 31, you are effectively placing 62 bets (as each bet has a win and place part), so:
- A £1 each-way Lucky 31 costs £62
Example of a Lucky 31 Bet
Imagine you’re placing a Lucky 31 on five football teams to win over the weekend:
- Arsenal at 2/1
- Liverpool at 3/1
- Manchester City at 4/5
- Chelsea at 6/4
- Tottenham at 5/2
Your Lucky 31 will cover:
- 5 singles (one on each team)
- 10 doubles (all possible pairs)
- 10 trebles (all possible three-team combinations)
- 5 four-fold accumulators
- 1 five-fold accumulator (all five teams to win)
Even if only one or two teams win, you’ll still receive some return from the singles and potentially the doubles — depending on which teams come in and at what odds.
Bonuses and Bookmaker Offers
Many bookmakers sweeten the deal on Lucky 31 bets by offering:
- One-Winner Bonuses – If only one of your five selections wins, some bookies will enhance the odds on that winner (sometimes double or treble the odds).
- All-Winners Bonuses – If all five selections win, you may receive a percentage boost on your total winnings, often 10% to 25%.
These bonuses can significantly improve your returns, especially if you’re only one winner away from a total loss or you land all five selections.
Advantages of a Lucky 31 Bet
1. Multiple Ways to Win
With 31 bets across all combinations, you have more chances to receive a return — even if just one selection wins.
2. Strong Payout Potential
If several selections win — particularly at longer odds — the return from the doubles, trebles, and accumulators can be substantial.
3. Suitable for Various Sports
While especially popular in horse racing, Lucky 31s are just as useful in football, tennis, or greyhound racing.
4. Bookmaker Enhancements
The availability of bonuses for one winner or all winners makes Lucky 31s more attractive than standard system bets like the Canadian.
Disadvantages of a Lucky 31 Bet
1. Higher Stake Required
With 31 bets, the total cost is high compared to placing a single accumulator or a few singles. A £5 unit stake means a £155 total stake.
2. Modest Returns for Few Winners
If only one or two low-odds selections win, your return may be small — or even less than your total stake.
3. Can Be Complex to Track
With 31 combinations in play, it can be difficult to keep track of which bets are winning unless you’re using a betting calculator or app.
When to Use a Lucky 31 Bet
A Lucky 31 is best suited for:
- Busy sports days when you have multiple strong fancies across different events
- Horse racing meetings, such as Cheltenham or Royal Ascot
- Football weekends with a mix of Premier League or EFL fixtures
- Situations where you want full coverage of all bet combinations while still having the safety net of singles
If you like the idea of placing five selections and want to give yourself every chance of a return — even if some results don’t go your way — the Lucky 31 is an excellent choice.
Summary
The Lucky 31 is one of the most versatile and well-balanced bets available to punters. It offers both protection and potential, allowing you to enjoy a return even when things don’t go perfectly — while still giving you the chance to win big if all your selections come in.
Whether you’re betting on the football, having a flutter at the races, or mixing across sports, the Lucky 31 gives you full coverage, plenty of excitement, and, with the right picks, serious reward.