What is a Patent Bet in Horse Racing? – Patent Bets Explained
The patent bet is a good option for horse racing bettors looking to make a profit. Unlike all-or-nothing wagers like accumulators, you could receive something back if only one of your selections wins.
What is a Patent Bet?
A patent is a multiple bet consisting of seven bets across three separate selections. For instance, three of our top racing tips for the Ebor Festival. For each patent you place, you get three singles, three doubles, and one treble.
Bookies multiply your base stake by seven in a patent, to cover all seven bet types. This means a £1 patent costs £7, while a £10 initial stake works out at £70. If you’re betting online, you can see your total outlay on your digital bet slip.
How Does a Patent Bet Work?
A patent is a full cover bet you can place at online bookmakers in the UK. We like to think of the patent as a Trixie bet (three doubles and one treble) but with singles included. Payouts depend on the success of your selections and the amount you stake.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what is included in a patent.
| Bet Type | Selections | Bets |
| Single | 1, 2, 3 | 3 |
| Double | 12, 23, 13 | 3 |
| Treble | 1 + 2 + 3 | 1 |
| Total | 7 | |
Three singles in a patent provide an extra layer of security, guaranteeing a payout if just one selection wins. This feature makes patent betting more appealing than an accumulator, where every selection must win to secure a payout.
Naturally, returns increase with multiple winners in a patent. For example, two winning horses trigger at least one double, while three winners guarantee payouts across all bet types.
Patent Bet Examples
We’ve provided a few examples for you to better help with understanding how patent bets work. Included are a complete winner, a partial winner, and a losing patent.
You place a Cheltenham Festival patent on three horses running on Gold Cup Day. If all three horses win, your payout is the maximum returns possible from your stake.
| Bet Type | Selections | Result | Return |
| Single | Horse A | Win | Yes |
| Single | Horse B | Win | Yes |
| Single | Horse C | Win | Yes |
| Double | Horse A + B | Win | Yes |
| Double | Horse A + C | Win | Yes |
| Double | Horse B + C | Win | Yes |
| Treble | Horse A + B + C | Win | Yes |
The outcome here is that every type of bet is a winner – because all three singles are winners. This means you receive payouts for 3x singles, 3x doubles, and 1 x treble win.
In this example, you bet three horses on different race cards on a Saturday in November. Your first two horses lose but your third wins, meaning you are entitled to a small payout.
| Bet Type | Selections | Result | Return |
| Single | Horse A | Lose | No |
| Single | Horse B | Lose | No |
| Single | Horse C | Win | Yes |
| Double | Horse A + B | Lose | No |
| Double | Horse A + C | Lose | No |
| Double | Horse B + C | Lose | No |
| Treble | Horse A + B + C | Lose | No |
Your outcome is that you receive a payout for Horse C only. Payout is determined by your original stake and the horse’s odds to win.
Let’s say you’ve placed a patent on three horse races in the Dublin Festival at Leopardstown. Unfortunately, none of your selections win.
| Bets | Selections | Result | Return |
| Single | Horses A, B, C | Lose | No |
As all three horses are losers, you get nothing back. In other words, your lose your stake.
Each Way Patent Bets
An each-way bet patent covers all win and place outcomes for three selections. Above all, this means your total stake doubles and corresponds with not 7 – but 14 – different potential scenarios. As such, a £1 base unit on your slip translates to a total stake of £14.
All each way bets double your stake, this is nothing out of the ordinary. So, you might want to reduce your stake by 50% if the total wager costs too much.
Also, each-way patents are a decent option for when you fancy horses but not necessarily to win. You might take this approach when looking for a decent return from your bets but want to reduce risk.
How to Place a Patent Bet
Placing a patent bet at online betting sites is more convenient than doing it in a bookie shop. For one, all you need to do is select all horse betting odds and add your stake to see possible returns from your bet.
- Select Three Horses – Sign up for an online betting site if you don’t already have an account. Then, navigate to the horse racing bets section and select three horses for your patent bet.
- Click on the Patent Bet Option – Look for this option at the top or bottom of your online betting slip. Once you click it, all selections will be added to your patent bet (remember to choose each-way if desired).
- Deposit Funds to Your Account – Add money to your account, ensuring enough funds to cover the full cost of your bet.
- Add Your Patent Stake – For example, a £1 patent requires a total of £7, so factor this in when setting your stake amount. Enter the desired amount when ready.
- Confirm Your Bet – Review your selections, odds, and all other details. Once everything looks correct, hit the “Bet” button to place your wager.
Whether you’re betting on steeplechase races or hurdles, you can find some good options for patents out there.
Where to Place Horse Racing Patent Bets
Place your patents with safe, trustworthy UK bookmakers online. Most major bookies offer patent bets on their websites and mobile apps.
For example, with BetMGM, Spreadex, and Tote, you simply make your selections before checking the box for a patent wager.
Patent Bet Pros and Cons
All bets have their upsides and downsides – patents are no different. Here’s a quick breakdown.
- High Profit Potential
- Guaranteed Returns from Just One Win
- You Can Place Patents with Small Stakes
- More Chances of Winning Compared with Accumulators
- Higher Stake Required
- Multiple Selections Must Typically Win to Make a Profit
- Can be Confusing for Inexperienced Punters
- No Bonuses Paid for Multiple Winners
Using a Patent Bet Calculator to Work Out Winnings
Use a patent bet calculator to quickly work out potential returns. It simplifies calculating each bet’s odds and outcomes – just enter your total stake, results, and each horse’s odds.
Calculators are especially useful for complex bets, like each-way patents. Moreover, patent calculators will save you time by instantly processing both win and place outcomes. As long as you have the data, it’s easy to calculate returns on any unsettled bets, for example.
How to Calculate a Patent Bet Manually
To calculate a patent bet manually, you still need to know the odds and outcomes for all horses. Furthermore, you must also have the value of your total stake to hand. When you know all this, here’s what to do using example odds.
- Work Out All Singles (9/4 + 4/1 + 5/4).
- Calculate Payouts from all Doubles (9/4 + 4/1 + 9/4 + 5/4 + 4/1 + 5/4).
- Add Potential Profits from Singles and Doubles Possible Treble Winnings (9/4 + 4/1 + 5/4).
You should add all seven outcomes (three singles, three doubles, and one treble) against the total stake to receive the full payout for this cover betting type of wager.
| Bet Type | Bet | Payout (Including Stake) | Profit |
| Singles | 9/4 | £3.25 | £2.25 |
| 4/1 | £5.00 | £4.00 | |
| 5/4 | £2.25 | £1.25 | |
| Doubles | 9/4 + 4/1 | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| 9/4 + 5/4 | £6.25 | £5.25 | |
| 4/1 + 5/4 | £7.25 | £6.25 | |
| Treble | 9/4 + 4/1 + 5/4 | £28.75 | £27.75 |
| Total | £64.50 | £57.50 |
You can practice the manual calculation with other odds selections/combinations of bets involved. Although we simply recommend using calculators.
Patent Bet Alternatives
Looking for something different? Here are some popular alternatives to patents you can try.
- Single – One selection to win.
- Each Way – Covers both win and place outcomes.
- Double – Two selections; both must win.
- Treble – Three selections; all must win.
- Accumulator – Multiple selections; all must win for a return.
- Trixie – Three selections, forming four bets (three doubles and one treble).
- Yankee Bet – Four selections, with eleven bets covering doubles, trebles, and a fourfold.
- Lucky 15 – Four selections, totalling fifteen bets with singles included.
- Lucky 31 – Five selections, 31 bets in total with five singles.
- Canadian/Super Yankee – Five selections, making twenty-six bets.
- Heinz – Six selections, forming fifty-seven bets.
- Goliath – Eight selections, with a total of 247 bets.
If stuck for inspiration, check out today’s Naps for the best horses to target for the bets above.
FAQs
What’s a patent bet?
It’s a type of cover bet comprised of seven bets across three selections. You are guaranteed some returns if only one horse wins.
Can you explain the patent bet meaning in horse racing?
In horse racing, patent bets come with a safety net of returns for just one horse winning. Although the etymology of the term “patent” in the context of this bet is disputed, some believe it may be related to the type of assurance or protection a patent provides.
How do I work out patent bets?
Calculate the individual returns for all singles, doubles, and the treble, then add them together.
How does a patent bet work with non-runners?
If a selection is a non-runner, for example, as with ante post bets, this can affect your patent. When one or more single bets are voided, you must recalculate the doubles and trebles to for potential returns.