What Is a Canadian Bet?
A Canadian (also known as Super Yankee) is a system bet consisting of 26 bets on 5 selections:
- 10 doubles
- 10 trebles
- 5 four-fold accumulators
- 1 five-fold accumulator
No singles included - you need at least 2 winners for any return.
Canadian structure (5 selections: A, B, C, D, E):
| Bet Type | Count | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Doubles | 10 | C(5,2) |
| Trebles | 10 | C(5,3) |
| Four-folds | 5 | C(5,4) |
| Five-fold | 1 | C(5,5) |
| Total | 26 |
The Canadian sits between the Yankee (4 selections, 11 bets) and the Heinz (6 selections, 57 bets) in the system bet hierarchy. The name “Super Yankee” reflects that it extends the Yankee concept by adding a fifth selection.
How the Calculator Works
Enter your five selections and unit stake:
| Input | Description |
|---|---|
| Selection 1-5 Odds | Odds for each of your 5 picks |
| Unit Stake | Stake per bet (total = unit × 26) |
The calculator generates all 26 combinations from your 5 selections, multiplies the odds for each winning combination, and sums the returns to give you the total payout.
Stake Calculation
Total Stake = Unit Stake × 26 bets
Example: $2 unit stake = $52 total stake
Step-by-Step Calculation Process
- Enter odds for all 5 selections in decimal or fractional format.
- Set your unit stake — the amount wagered on each of the 26 individual bets.
- Mark winners and losers — indicate which selections won and which lost.
- Calculate — the tool identifies every winning combination, multiplies the odds together, and applies your unit stake.
- View total return and profit — total return minus total stake ($26 × unit) gives your net profit or loss.
Return Formula
For any winning combination of n selections:
Bet Return = Unit Stake × (Odds₁ × Odds₂ × ... × Oddsₙ)
Total Return = Sum of all winning bet returns
Profit = Total Return - Total Stake
Why Use a Canadian Bet Calculator?
With 26 individual bets across 4 different bet types, manual calculation is tedious and error-prone. Here’s why a calculator helps:
- Instant accuracy — No risk of arithmetic errors across 26 separate calculations.
- Scenario testing — Quickly check returns for different win/lose combinations before placing the bet.
- Stake planning — See your total outlay and potential returns to decide if the bet fits your bankroll.
- Comparison tool — Compare potential returns of a Canadian versus a Yankee, Lucky 31, or Heinz.
- Partial win analysis — Understand exactly how much you’ll get back if only 2, 3, or 4 selections win.
Canadian vs Yankee vs Lucky 31
| Feature | Yankee | Canadian | Lucky 31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selections | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Total bets | 11 | 26 | 31 |
| Includes singles | No | No | Yes (5) |
| Stake ($1 unit) | $11 | $26 | $31 |
| Min winners for return | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Doubles | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Trebles | 4 | 10 | 10 |
| Four-folds | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Five-fold | — | 1 | 1 |
Choose Canadian when: You want more coverage than Yankee but don’t need singles protection, and want to save $5 per unit compared to Lucky 31.
Choose Lucky 31 when: You want the safety net of singles — only 1 winner needed for some return.
Choose Yankee when: You have 4 selections and want a smaller total stake.
Canadian Bet Examples
Your Selections
| Selection | Decimal Odds | Fractional |
|---|---|---|
| A | 3.00 | 2/1 |
| B | 4.00 | 3/1 |
| C | 5.00 | 4/1 |
| D | 3.50 | 5/2 |
| E | 4.50 | 7/2 |
Unit stake: $1 Total stake: $26
Example 1: All 5 Win
All 26 bets win, producing returns from every combination:
Doubles (10 bets):
- A×B = 3.00 × 4.00 = $12.00
- A×C = 3.00 × 5.00 = $15.00
- A×D = 3.00 × 3.50 = $10.50
- A×E = 3.00 × 4.50 = $13.50
- B×C = 4.00 × 5.00 = $20.00
- B×D = 4.00 × 3.50 = $14.00
- B×E = 4.00 × 4.50 = $18.00
- C×D = 5.00 × 3.50 = $17.50
- C×E = 5.00 × 4.50 = $22.50
- D×E = 3.50 × 4.50 = $15.75
Doubles subtotal: $158.75
Trebles (10 bets):
- A×B×C = $60.00
- A×B×D = $42.00
- A×B×E = $54.00
- A×C×D = $52.50
- A×C×E = $67.50
- A×D×E = $47.25
- B×C×D = $70.00
- B×C×E = $90.00
- B×D×E = $63.00
- C×D×E = $78.75
Trebles subtotal: $625.00
Four-folds (5 bets):
- A×B×C×D = $210.00
- A×B×C×E = $270.00
- A×B×D×E = $189.00
- A×C×D×E = $236.25
- B×C×D×E = $315.00
Four-folds subtotal: $1,220.25
Five-fold (1 bet):
- A×B×C×D×E = 3.00 × 4.00 × 5.00 × 3.50 × 4.50 = $945.00
Total return: $2,949.00 | Profit: $2,923.00
Example 2: 4 Win, 1 Lose (A, B, C, D win — E loses)
| Bet Type | Total Bets | Winning Bets | Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doubles | 10 | 6 | C(4,2) |
| Trebles | 10 | 4 | C(4,3) |
| Four-folds | 5 | 1 | C(4,4) |
| Five-fold | 1 | 0 | — |
Winning bets: 11 out of 26.
- Winning doubles: A×B=$12, A×C=$15, A×D=$10.50, B×C=$20, B×D=$14, C×D=$17.50 → $89.00
- Winning trebles: A×B×C=$60, A×B×D=$42, A×C×D=$52.50, B×C×D=$70 → $224.50
- Winning four-fold: A×B×C×D = $210.00
Total return: $523.50 | Profit: $497.50
Example 3: 3 Win, 2 Lose (A, B, C win)
| Bet Type | Winning Bets |
|---|---|
| Doubles | 3 |
| Trebles | 1 |
| Four-folds | 0 |
| Five-fold | 0 |
Winning bets: 4 of 26.
- Doubles: A×B=$12, A×C=$15, B×C=$20 → $47.00
- Treble: A×B×C = $60.00
Total return: $107.00 | Profit: $81.00
Example 4: 2 Win, 3 Lose (A, B win)
Only 1 double wins: A×B = 3.00 × 4.00 = $12.00
Total return: $12.00 | Loss: $14.00
At these odds, 2 winners don’t cover the $26 stake. You’d need higher odds on both selections (e.g., both at 6.00+) for 2 winners to produce a profit.
Canadian Outcomes Summary
| Winners | Winning Bets | Typical Result |
|---|---|---|
| 5 of 5 | 26 | Large profit |
| 4 of 5 | 11 | Good profit |
| 3 of 5 | 4 | Moderate profit (odds-dependent) |
| 2 of 5 | 1 | Usually a loss |
| 1 of 5 | 0 | Total loss |
| 0 of 5 | 0 | Total loss |
When to Use a Canadian Bet
Ideal Situations
- 5 confident selections from different events or sports
- Medium odds (2/1 to 5/1) to maximize multiple-winner returns
- More coverage than Yankee — an extra selection adds 15 more bets
- Don’t need singles protection — confident in getting at least 2 winners
- Moderate bankroll — $26 per unit is manageable for most bettors
When to Avoid
- Only 1 strong selection — consider a single or Lucky 31 instead
- Very low odds (under 2/1) — returns from doubles may not cover stake
- Tight bankroll — even $26 might be too much per unit
- Want singles safety — choose Lucky 31 for 1-winner protection
Quick Returns Table
Unit stake: $1 (Total: $26)
| Odds (all same) | All 5 Win | 4 Win | 3 Win | 2 Win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | $212 | $55 | $16 | $4 |
| 2.50 | $571 | $118 | $28 | $6 |
| 3.00 | $1,266 | $219 | $45 | $9 |
| 4.00 | $4,524 | $630 | $111 | $16 |
| 5.00 | $12,276 | $1,430 | $215 | $25 |
Strategy Tips
1. Stake Management
With 26 bets per unit, plan your stake carefully:
- $0.50 unit = $13.00 total
- $1.00 unit = $26.00 total
- $2.00 unit = $52.00 total
- $5.00 unit = $130.00 total
Keep your total Canadian stake within 2-5% of your overall bankroll.
2. Mix Short and Long Odds
A balanced approach works well:
- 2-3 selections at 2/1 to 3/1 (bankers — higher win probability)
- 2-3 selections at 4/1 to 6/1 (value picks — boost accumulator returns)
If your bankers win, you still collect from doubles and trebles. If the value picks also land, the four-folds and five-fold provide the big payouts.
3. Break-Even Analysis
With all selections at the same odds:
- At 2/1 (3.00): You need 3 winners to break even ($45 return vs $26 stake)
- At 3/1 (4.00): You need 2-3 winners (2 winners = $16, 3 winners = $111)
- At 5/1 (6.00): 2 winners can cover the stake ($36 return vs $26 stake)
4. Diversify Your Selections
Spread picks across different sports, leagues, or events. Avoid selecting multiple runners from the same race or players from the same match — if conditions affect one, they likely affect all.
5. Consider Each-Way Canadian
An each-way Canadian has 52 bets (26 win + 26 place). This provides protection when selections place but don’t win, though it doubles your total stake. Best suited for horse racing where place terms are standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Canadian the same as a Super Yankee?
Yes, Canadian and Super Yankee are two names for the same bet: 26 bets on 5 selections consisting of 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, and 1 five-fold. No singles are included.
How many winners do I need for a Canadian to pay?
Minimum 2 winners are needed for any return. However, you typically need 3 winners at medium odds (around 3/1) to break even on the $26 stake.
What’s the difference between Canadian and Lucky 31?
Both use 5 selections. Canadian has 26 bets (no singles); Lucky 31 has 31 bets (includes 5 singles). Lucky 31 pays on just 1 winner but costs 5 more units. Choose Canadian when you’re confident in 2+ winners.
How much does a Canadian bet cost?
A Canadian costs 26 times your unit stake. At $1 per unit that’s $26, at $2 per unit it’s $52, and at $5 per unit it’s $130.
Can I place a Canadian each-way?
Yes. An each-way Canadian doubles the bets to 52 (26 win + 26 place), so the total stake also doubles. Place parts pay at reduced odds when a selection places but doesn’t win.
What happens if one selection is a non-runner?
If one selection is a non-runner, it is settled at odds of 1.0. This effectively reduces your Canadian to a Yankee (4 selections, 11 active bets) with the non-runner at evens in all combinations.
Is a Canadian bet good value?
A Canadian offers good value when you have 5 strong selections at medium odds. The 26-bet structure means even 3-4 winners can produce healthy profits, and it’s more affordable than Lucky 31.