What Is a Goliath Bet?
A Goliath is the largest standard system bet, consisting of 247 bets on 8 selections:
- 28 doubles
- 56 trebles
- 70 four-fold accumulators
- 56 five-fold accumulators
- 28 six-fold accumulators
- 8 seven-fold accumulators
- 1 eight-fold accumulator
No singles included - you need at least 2 winners for any return.
Goliath structure (8 selections):
| Bet Type | Count | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Doubles | 28 | C(8,2) |
| Trebles | 56 | C(8,3) |
| Four-folds | 70 | C(8,4) |
| Five-folds | 56 | C(8,5) |
| Six-folds | 28 | C(8,6) |
| Seven-folds | 8 | C(8,7) |
| Eight-fold | 1 | C(8,8) |
| Total | 247 |
The name comes from the biblical giant Goliath, reflecting the enormous size of this wager. It is the largest named full-cover system bet in common use, sitting one step above the Super Heinz (7 selections, 120 bets).
How the Goliath Calculator Works
Enter your eight selections and unit stake:
| Input | Description |
|---|---|
| Selection 1-8 Odds | Odds for each of your 8 picks |
| Unit Stake | Stake per bet (total = unit × 247) |
The calculator takes each combination of your 8 selections and computes individual returns for every double, treble, four-fold, five-fold, six-fold, seven-fold, and eight-fold accumulator. It then sums all winning bets to give you the total return.
Goliath Stake Calculation
Total Stake = Unit Stake × 247 bets
Example: $1 unit stake = $247 total stake
Step-by-Step Calculation Process
- Enter odds for all 8 selections in decimal or fractional format.
- Set your unit stake — this is the amount wagered on each individual bet within the Goliath.
- Mark winners and losers — indicate which selections won and which lost.
- Calculate — the tool identifies every winning combination, multiplies odds together, and applies your unit stake to determine the payout for each bet.
- View total return and profit — total return minus total stake 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 Goliath Bet Calculator?
Manually calculating 247 individual bets is impractical. Here’s why a calculator is essential:
- Accuracy — With 247 separate bets across 7 different bet types, manual errors are almost inevitable. The calculator eliminates arithmetic mistakes.
- Speed — Get instant results instead of spending time computing each combination by hand.
- Scenario planning — Quickly see how different outcomes affect your return. What if 5 win instead of 4? What if one selection has higher odds?
- Stake management — Understand your total outlay before placing the bet to ensure it fits within your bankroll.
- Profit/loss visibility — Immediately see whether a given outcome produces a profit or loss relative to the $247+ stake.
Goliath Bet Example
Your Selections
| Selection | Decimal Odds | Fractional |
|---|---|---|
| A | 3.00 | 2/1 |
| B | 4.00 | 3/1 |
| C | 3.50 | 5/2 |
| D | 5.00 | 4/1 |
| E | 2.50 | 6/4 |
| F | 4.50 | 7/2 |
| G | 6.00 | 5/1 |
| H | 3.00 | 2/1 |
Unit stake: $1 Total stake: $1 × 247 = $247
Example 1: All 8 Win
All 247 bets win. The return is the sum of every combination:
- 28 doubles produce various returns (e.g., A×B = 3.00 × 4.00 = $12.00)
- 56 trebles (e.g., A×B×C = 3.00 × 4.00 × 3.50 = $42.00)
- 70 four-folds (e.g., A×B×C×D = $210.00)
- 56 five-folds, 28 six-folds, 8 seven-folds
- 1 eight-fold: 3.00 × 4.00 × 3.50 × 5.00 × 2.50 × 4.50 × 6.00 × 3.00 = $85,050
Total return with all 8 winning at these odds: $350,000+
Example 2: 5 Win, 3 Lose (A, B, C, D, E win)
| Bet Type | Total Bets | Winning Bets | Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doubles | 28 | 10 | C(5,2) |
| Trebles | 56 | 10 | C(5,3) |
| Four-folds | 70 | 5 | C(5,4) |
| Five-folds | 56 | 1 | C(5,5) |
| Six-folds | 28 | 0 | — |
| Seven-folds | 8 | 0 | — |
| Eight-fold | 1 | 0 | — |
Winning bets: 26 out of 247.
Sample winning doubles at $1 unit: A×B = $12, A×C = $10.50, A×D = $15, etc. Five-fold: A×B×C×D×E = 3.00 × 4.00 × 3.50 × 5.00 × 2.50 = $525
Approximate total return: ~$1,300 | Profit: ~$1,053
Example 3: 4 Win, 4 Lose (A, B, C, D win)
| Bet Type | Winning Bets |
|---|---|
| Doubles | 6 |
| Trebles | 4 |
| Four-folds | 1 |
| Five-folds+ | 0 |
Winning bets: 11 of 247.
Four-fold: A×B×C×D = 3.00 × 4.00 × 3.50 × 5.00 = $210
Approximate total return: ~$560 | Profit: ~$313
Example 4: 3 Win, 5 Lose (A, B, C win)
| Bet Type | Winning Bets |
|---|---|
| Doubles | 3 |
| Trebles | 1 |
| Four-folds+ | 0 |
Winning bets: 4 of 247.
Treble: A×B×C = 3.00 × 4.00 × 3.50 = $42 Doubles: A×B = $12, A×C = $10.50, B×C = $14
Approximate total return: ~$78.50 | Loss: ~$168.50
Example 5: 2 Win, 6 Lose (A, B win)
Only 1 double wins out of 247 bets: A×B = 3.00 × 4.00 = $12
Total return: $12 | Loss: $235
Goliath Outcomes Summary
| Winners | Winning Bets | Typical Result |
|---|---|---|
| 8 of 8 | 247 | Massive profit |
| 7 of 8 | 162 | Large profit |
| 6 of 8 | 99 | Good profit |
| 5 of 8 | 26 | Moderate profit |
| 4 of 8 | 11 | Small profit (odds-dependent) |
| 3 of 8 | 4 | Usually a loss |
| 2 of 8 | 1 | Significant loss |
| 1 of 8 | 0 | Total loss |
| 0 of 8 | 0 | Total loss |
When to Use a Goliath Bet
Ideal Situations
- 8 confident selections across different events or sports
- Medium odds (2/1 to 5/1) to maximize the chance of multiple winners
- Large bankroll — $247 per unit stake is a significant commitment
- Confident in 4+ winners for profitable returns
- Seeking huge upside — if all 8 land, returns can be extraordinary
When to Avoid
- Small bankroll — the 247-bet stake is substantial
- Long shot selections — too many need to win simultaneously
- Unsure about multiple winners — consider smaller system bets like Heinz or Yankee
- Correlated events — avoid selections that depend on each other
Goliath vs Other System Bets
| Feature | Yankee | Heinz | Super Heinz | Goliath |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selections | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Total bets | 11 | 57 | 120 | 247 |
| Stake ($1 unit) | $11 | $57 | $120 | $247 |
| Min winners for return | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Max fold | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Doubles | 6 | 15 | 21 | 28 |
| Trebles | 4 | 20 | 35 | 56 |
Quick Returns Table
Unit stake: $1 (Total: $247)
| Odds (all same) | All 8 Win | 6 Win | 5 Win | 4 Win | 3 Win | 2 Win |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | $152,000 | $2,700 | $380 | $70 | $14 | $4 |
| 2.50 | $390,000+ | $5,500 | $700 | $130 | $24 | $6 |
| 3.00 | $1,600,000+ | $18,000 | $1,800 | $300 | $45 | $9 |
| 4.00 | $16,000,000+ | $120,000 | $9,000 | $1,200 | $136 | $16 |
| 5.00 | $95,000,000+ | $600,000 | $35,000 | $3,600 | $325 | $25 |
Strategy Tips
1. Manage Your Stake
With 247 bets, even small unit stakes add up quickly:
- $0.50 unit = $123.50 total
- $1.00 unit = $247.00 total
- $2.00 unit = $494.00 total
- $5.00 unit = $1,235.00 total
Keep total stake within 2-5% of your bankroll.
2. Mix Your Odds
Combine shorter and longer odds for balance:
- 3-4 selections at 2/1 to 3/1 (bankers — more likely to win)
- 3-4 selections at 4/1 to 6/1 (value picks — boost returns if they land)
This approach means even if the long shots lose, the shorter-priced winners can still generate meaningful returns from multiple combinations.
3. Break-Even Analysis
You typically need 3-4 winners at decent odds (3/1 or higher) to cover the $247 stake. With all selections at 2/1, you generally need 4 or more winners to break even.
4. Diversify Across Sports and Events
Spread your 8 selections across different sports, leagues, or race meetings. This reduces correlation risk — where one poor result (like bad weather at a venue) wipes out multiple selections.
5. Consider Each-Way Goliath
An each-way Goliath doubles your bets to 494 (247 win + 247 place). This provides more protection as place parts can return even if selections don’t win outright. However, it also doubles your total stake.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bets are in a Goliath?
A Goliath contains 247 bets across 8 selections: 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 four-folds, 56 five-folds, 28 six-folds, 8 seven-folds, and 1 eight-fold accumulator.
How many winners do I need for a Goliath to pay?
Minimum 2 winners are needed for any return. With only 1 winner, all 247 bets lose since there are no singles included. However, you typically need 4+ winners to generate a profit on the $247 stake.
What’s the difference between Goliath and Super Heinz?
Goliath has 8 selections and 247 bets; Super Heinz has 7 selections and 120 bets. Adding an eighth selection more than doubles the number of bets, significantly increasing both the stake and potential returns.
Can I place a Goliath each-way?
Yes. An each-way Goliath doubles the number of bets to 494 (247 win + 247 place), so the total stake also doubles. Place parts pay at reduced odds when a selection places but doesn’t win.
How much does a Goliath cost?
A Goliath costs 247 times your unit stake. At $1 per unit that’s $247, at $2 per unit it’s $494, and at $5 per unit it’s $1,235.
Is a Goliath bet worth it?
A Goliath can be worthwhile if you have 8 strong selections at reasonable odds and a sufficient bankroll. You need at least 4 winners at decent odds to typically break even on the $247 stake.
What happens if one selection is a non-runner?
If one selection is a non-runner, it is treated as a winner at odds of 1.0. This effectively reduces your Goliath to a Super Heinz with the non-runner settled at evens in all combinations.