What is a Treble Bet?
In the world of sports betting, punters are constantly seeking ways to increase their potential returns. One method that balances simplicity with higher rewards is the treble bet. While not as complex as accumulators involving four or more selections, a treble bet still offers a significant boost in potential winnings compared to singles or doubles. Whether you’re betting on football, horse racing, or tennis, understanding how a treble bet works is a valuable addition to any punter’s knowledge.
Definition of a Treble Bet
A treble bet is a single wager that links three selections in different events. For the wager to be successful, you need each of the three selections to be winners. If just one loses, the entire bet is lost.
The way it works is that the winnings from the first selection are used as the stake for the second, and the combined returns from the second are then rolled onto the third. This creates a compounding effect that can lead to significantly larger returns than backing each selection individually.
Example of a Treble Bet
Let’s break it down with a straightforward football example. Suppose you place a £10 treble bet on the following teams to win their matches:
- Chelsea to beat Brentford at 2/1
- Man City to beat Wolves at 4/5
- Newcastle to beat Aston Villa at 3/1
Here’s how your treble bet would play out if all three teams win:
- Your £10 is placed on Chelsea at 2/1, returning £30 (£20 profit + £10 stake).
- That £30 is then placed on Man City at 4/5. This returns £54 (£24 profit + £30 stake).
- Finally, the £54 goes on Newcastle at 3/1, returning £216 (£162 profit + £54 stake).
So, your initial £10 bet would return £216 in total — a profit of £206. Not bad for three correct predictions.
If any one of those teams fails to win, however, your entire bet is lost. That’s the key risk of a treble: the all-or-nothing nature.
Sports and Markets for Treble Bets
Treble bets can be placed across almost any sport or betting market, as long as the selections are from different events. The most popular sports include:
- Football: Backing three teams to win across different matches.
- Horse Racing: Selecting three horses in separate races to win or place.
- Tennis: Choosing three players to win in different matches or tournaments.
- Golf, Rugby, Cricket: Multiple event-based options are available here too.
You cannot combine multiple outcomes from the same event in a treble, as they are often related (e.g. a player to score and that player’s team to win).
Advantages of a Treble Bet
1. Higher Potential Returns:
The compounded winnings from each leg of the bet can lead to much larger profits than three separate singles.
2. Simplicity:
Although slightly more advanced than a single or double, a treble bet is still straightforward to understand and easy to place.
3. Versatility:
You can apply a treble to almost any market or sport, making it a flexible option for varied betting strategies.
Disadvantages of a Treble Bet
1. Increased Risk:
If just one of the three selections fails, the entire bet is lost. This makes it riskier than placing singles or even doubles.
2. No Room for Error:
Unlike system bets (e.g. a Trixie or Yankee), there’s no safety net. You need all three selections to win for any return.
3. Reliance on Rolling Winnings:
Because each leg of the treble relies on the previous selection winning, it can be frustrating if your final leg loses after two successful results.
Each-Way Treble Bets
In horse racing or greyhound racing, some punters choose to place an each-way treble. This doubles the cost of the bet but pays out on both the win and place elements of each selection. Each leg must place (typically top two, three, or four depending on the race and number of runners) for the place part to pay out.
This slightly reduces the risk while still offering decent returns — especially useful in races with large, competitive fields.
When Should You Use a Treble Bet?
Treble bets are ideal when:
- You’ve identified three strong selections with decent odds.
- You’re comfortable with higher risk for greater reward.
- You want a step up from doubles but aren’t ready for larger accumulators.
They work well on weekends with busy football schedules or during major horse racing meetings like Cheltenham or Royal Ascot.
Summary
A treble bet strikes a good balance between risk and reward. While it does require all three selections to come in, the potential returns are significantly enhanced due to the compounding nature of the bet. It’s a great option for punters looking to maximise winnings without venturing into more complex or expensive system bets. Trebles can be a thrilling way to bet, but discipline and careful selection are key to long-term success.