What is a Super Yankee Bet?
For punters seeking more opportunities from a single bet without venturing into the complexities of larger system bets like Goliaths or Heinz, the Super Yankee offers a smart and strategic option. Also known simply as a Canadian bet, the Super Yankee combines multiple bet types to provide a wider spread of coverage and greater chances of a return.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what a Super Yankee is, how it works, how much it costs, and when it might be the right choice for your betting strategy.
What is a Super Yankee Bet?
A Super Yankee bet involves five selections in different events and consists of a total of 26 individual bets. These bets include:
- 10 Doubles
- 10 Trebles
- 5 Four-fold accumulators
- 1 Five-fold accumulator
Unlike some system bets such as the Lucky 31, the Super Yankee does not include any singles. This means that you need at least two winning selections to see any return.
It is known as a “Super Yankee” because it is an expanded version of the traditional Yankee bet, which involves four selections and 11 bets. Adding one more selection significantly increases the number of combinations and the potential for profit.
How Does a Super Yankee Bet Work?
Let’s say you’ve selected the following five football teams to win their respective matches:
- Arsenal at 2/1
- Liverpool at 6/4
- Chelsea at 5/2
- Manchester United at 3/1
- Newcastle at 2/1
Your Super Yankee would place bets across all possible combinations of doubles, trebles, four-folds, and a five-fold accumulator involving these five selections. If just two teams win, you’ll get a return from one of the doubles. If three win, your return will come from three doubles and one treble. As more selections win, more of your 26 combinations will pay out, increasing your total return.
The more winning selections you have, the higher your overall payout — especially if those selections are at attractive odds.
How Much Does a Super Yankee Cost?
Because the Super Yankee consists of 26 bets, your total stake is:
Unit stake × 26
For example:
- A £1 Super Yankee = £26 total stake
- A £2 Super Yankee = £52 total stake
If you choose to place an each-way Super Yankee, the number of bets doubles to 52, because each bet has both a win and a place component:
- A £1 each-way Super Yankee = £52 total stake
As a result, Super Yankees are best used by punters comfortable with staking higher amounts — or those willing to reduce their unit stakes to maintain affordability.
Advantages of a Super Yankee Bet
1. Excellent Coverage
The Super Yankee covers every possible multiple combination of your five selections, excluding singles. This significantly increases your chances of a return when compared to a straight accumulator.
2. Returns with Partial Success
You don’t need all five selections to win to receive a return. Even two winners will return something, which provides some protection against losses.
3. High Potential Payout
If all five selections win — particularly at strong odds — the Super Yankee can result in a sizeable return due to the sheer number of winning combinations.
4. Suitable for a Range of Sports
The Super Yankee is popular in horse racing, football, and tennis, where multiple individual events occur across a day or weekend.
Disadvantages of a Super Yankee Bet
1. No Singles Included
If only one selection wins, you lose your entire stake — unlike a Lucky 31, which includes singles and can still pay out on one winner.
2. Higher Cost
With 26 separate bets to fund, the overall stake is relatively high, especially when placing an each-way version.
3. Can Be Complicated for Beginners
Newer punters may find it tricky to keep track of all 26 combinations without the aid of a bet calculator or betting slip breakdown.
When Should You Use a Super Yankee Bet?
A Super Yankee is ideal when:
- You’ve got five confident selections
- You want more flexibility and potential for a return than a five-fold accumulator allows
- You’re betting on a busy race day or football fixture list with strong form-based or value picks
- You’re happy to stake a little more to benefit from broader bet coverage
Super Yankee vs. Lucky 31
While both bets use five selections, the key difference is that the Lucky 31 includes singles, making it a total of 31 bets. This means even one winner can return a payout. The Super Yankee is leaner at 26 bets, offering a lower overall stake but no returns for just a single winner. Some punters prefer the added safety of the Lucky 31, while others value the slightly cheaper stake of the Super Yankee with similar potential for large returns.
Summary
The Super Yankee bet is a powerful and strategic betting option for punters who want to get more out of five strong selections. Offering a balance of coverage, flexibility, and return potential, it’s especially useful when betting on days packed with fixtures or races.
Though it requires a higher total stake and at least two winners to pay, the Super Yankee remains a firm favourite in British betting circles for those confident enough to back multiple outcomes and experienced enough to manage the system’s scope.