Full cover bets are a family of wagers that take a handful of selections and automatically combine them into every possible multiple. Instead of choosing which doubles and trebles to back, the bet covers them all for you, which is where the name comes from.
They sound intimidating because of names like Yankee, Heinz and Goliath, but the underlying idea is simple and consistent across the whole family. Once you understand how one works, you understand them all.
The Core Idea
A full cover bet contains every combination of your selections above a certain size. A "full cover" bet excludes singles; a "full cover with singles" version (the Lucky bets) adds them back in. The more selections you add, the more combinations exist, and the more bets the wager contains.
The Full Cover Family
Without Singles
- Trixie — 3 selections, 4 bets (3 doubles, 1 treble).
- Yankee — 4 selections, 11 bets (6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold).
- Canadian / Super Yankee — 5 selections, 26 bets.
- Heinz — 6 selections, 57 bets.
- Super Heinz — 7 selections, 120 bets.
- Goliath — 8 selections, 247 bets.
With Singles (the Lucky Bets)
- Patent — 3 selections, 7 bets.
- Lucky 15 — 4 selections, 15 bets.
- Lucky 31 — 5 selections, 31 bets.
- Lucky 63 — 6 selections, 63 bets.
Why the Bet Counts Jump so Fast
The number of combinations grows quickly because each new selection can pair with every existing one. That is why a Goliath contains 247 bets from just eight selections. It also explains why total stakes climb sharply as you add legs, so always check the cost before betting.
Which Full Cover Bet Should You Use?
If you want single-winner insurance, choose a Lucky bet or a Patent. If you are confident of multiple winners and want a lower stake, the no-singles versions such as the Heinz are cheaper. For a direct comparison of the two six-fold options, see Lucky 63 vs Heinz.
Let the Calculator Count for You
Working out returns across dozens or hundreds of bet lines by hand is impractical. Enter your selections in the Bet Calculator Betmentor, choose the full cover bet type, and the tool settles every combination for you in a moment.