One of the most exciting aspects of sports betting (and gambling in general) is that you can place a small bet and stand a chance of winning big. And if you are a fan of football betting with 1xbet.ie, this idea is personified in accumulators, otherwise referred to as accas. These bets combine multiple selections into one bet, significantly increasing the amount of potential winnings. But since the risk is also high, the stake is small, and the thrill is much higher.
But do these bets actually carry the potential they project, or are they just every gambler’s dream? Today, let’s look at how accas work and their positives and negatives.
What Is an Accumulator Bet?
An accumulator bet is simply a bet that combines multiple bets (known as “legs”) into one single wager. Instead of betting on a team like Hearts to win, you combine this with Hibs winning their game too. The two bets share the same stake, but one wrong pick cancels the entire bet.
While the risk is higher, the appeal of accumulator bets lies in the odds. Let’s say you are betting across Europe in one weekend and have picked four teams:
- Manchester United to win at 2.00
- Liverpool to win at 1.80
- Real Madrid to win at 1.75
- Bayern Munich to win at 1.90
The beauty of the accumulator is that the odds aren’t simply added but multiplied. In this case, your odds will be 2.00 × 1.80 × 1.75 × 1.90 = 11.97.
Considering the huge risk and the potential for big rewards, you only need to place a small bet like £10. This will give you potential wins of £119.70, which is a huge jump from your initial £10.
Why Accumulator Bets Are So Popular
These types of bets have a near-mythical status among bettors, and for good reason.
High Potential Returns with Bigger Teams
In most cases, selecting a team like Bayern Munich to win won’t give you any significant returns – unless you risk big. However, accumulators make this possible with the multiplier. Even at modest odds, you’ll still have a chance of winning big.
Extra Excitement
Watching a game when you have a stake in it is usually exciting. When you have goal notifications for several you’ve bet on in a single slip, this takes the excitement even higher. Every goal, penalty, or last-minute play across different games matters.
Playing the Long-Term Game
Betting on ten matches will most likely be a losing bet. However, on one sunny day, you may get lucky and win big. When your £1 bet returns £2000, you’ll have covered all your losses and made a significant profit.
A Chance to Beat the Bookmakers
When you are chasing one big win that will definitely offset your losses, this gives you a sense of control. It’s a chance at payback despite the low chances of winning.
The Risks of Accumulator Bets
While the rewards are big and the bets tempting, these bets are far riskier than they seem.
One Mistake, and It’s Over
It only takes one wrong pick to lose your entire bet. And if it comes in the first few games, you may end up feeling like the risk wasn’t worth it.
The Longer the Acca, the Less Likely It Is to Win
Sportsbooks love it when you combine more and more games. In fact, they will even give you boosted odds depending on the number of games you add. They know that this will look great on paper, but the probability of winning significantly drops with every game you add.
Value Betting Is Harder
Sharp bettors look for odds that have extra value in them – where the actual probability of winning is better than what the odds suggest. But with accas, it’s easy to ignore this and only go after the payout.
Psychological Trap
These bets have a huge appeal, and the promise to win big can be detrimental. If you miss out on a single game and decide to place another accumulator, you’ll easily end up falling into the traditional pitfalls of gambling – chasing losses and gambler’s fallacy.
How to Make Accumulator Bets Smarter
If you decide to try accumulators, you need to be smart. First, decide a small amount that you’ll be using for your bets. From there, come up with the frequency, such as one or two accumulators over a single weekend. You can then try to minimize the risk by keeping your bet slip short, focusing on value instead of big odds, and playing the long-term game. Keep in mind that sportsbooks usually offer cash-out options, so you can use the feature to secure part of your payout while you are still winning.
