What Is a Patent Bet?
A Patent is a full-cover system bet consisting of 7 bets on 3 selections:
- 3 singles
- 3 doubles
- 1 treble
The key advantage over a Trixie is that a Patent pays out if just one selection wins because it includes singles. This makes it the safest 3-selection system bet available.
Patent structure:
| Bet Type | Selections | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Single 1 | A | 1 |
| Single 2 | B | 1 |
| Single 3 | C | 1 |
| Double 1 | A + B | 1 |
| Double 2 | A + C | 1 |
| Double 3 | B + C | 1 |
| Treble | A + B + C | 1 |
| Total | 7 bets |
Key characteristic: Just 1 winner needed for a return.
How the Patent Calculator Works
Enter your three selections and unit stake:
| Input | Description |
|---|---|
| Selection 1 Odds | Odds for pick A |
| Selection 2 Odds | Odds for pick B |
| Selection 3 Odds | Odds for pick C |
| Unit Stake | Stake per bet (total stake = unit × 7) |
Patent Stake Calculation
Total Stake = Unit Stake × 7 bets
Example: $10 unit stake = $70 total stake
Patent Bet Example: Complete Breakdown
Your Selections
| Selection | Event | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| A | Thunder Storm (Horse Racing) | 4.00 (3/1) |
| B | Lightning Bolt (Horse Racing) | 5.00 (4/1) |
| C | Silver Arrow (Horse Racing) | 6.00 (5/1) |
Unit stake: $5 Total stake: $5 × 7 = $35
All Seven Bets Explained
| Bet | Type | Selections | Combined Odds | $5 Stake Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single | A | 4.00 | $20 |
| 2 | Single | B | 5.00 | $25 |
| 3 | Single | C | 6.00 | $30 |
| 4 | Double | A + B | 4.00 × 5.00 = 20.00 | $100 |
| 5 | Double | A + C | 4.00 × 6.00 = 24.00 | $120 |
| 6 | Double | B + C | 5.00 × 6.00 = 30.00 | $150 |
| 7 | Treble | A + B + C | 4.00 × 5.00 × 6.00 = 120.00 | $600 |
Patent Outcomes: What You Win
Scenario 1: All Three Win ✓ ✓ ✓
| Bet | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Single A | ✓ Won | $20 |
| Single B | ✓ Won | $25 |
| Single C | ✓ Won | $30 |
| Double A+B | ✓ Won | $100 |
| Double A+C | ✓ Won | $120 |
| Double B+C | ✓ Won | $150 |
| Treble | ✓ Won | $600 |
| Total Return | $1,045 | |
| Total Stake | $35 | |
| Profit | $1,010 |
Scenario 2: Two Win, One Loses ✓ ✓ ✗
A and B win, C loses:
| Bet | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Single A | ✓ Won | $20 |
| Single B | ✓ Won | $25 |
| Single C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double A+B | ✓ Won | $100 |
| Double A+C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double B+C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Treble | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Total Return | $145 | |
| Profit | $110 |
Scenario 3: Only One Wins ✓ ✗ ✗
Only A wins:
| Bet | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Single A | ✓ Won | $20 |
| Single B | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Single C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double A+B | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double A+C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double B+C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Treble | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Total Return | $20 | |
| Loss | -$15 |
Even with just one winner, you get something back. The loss is reduced because the single wins.
Scenario 4: All Three Lose ✗ ✗ ✗
| Bet | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|
| All 7 bets | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Total Return | $0 | |
| Loss | -$35 |
Only when all selections lose do you lose the entire stake.
Patent vs Trixie: The Key Difference
| Feature | Patent | Trixie |
|---|---|---|
| Number of bets | 7 | 4 |
| Includes singles | Yes (3) | No |
| Total stake ($10 unit) | $70 | $40 |
| Minimum winners needed | 1 | 2 |
| Return if 1/3 wins | Yes (reduced loss) | No |
| Return if 2/3 win | Yes | Yes |
| Return if 3/3 win | Highest | Lower |
Same Selections Compared
Selections: 4.00, 5.00, 6.00 (decimal odds)
| Outcome | Patent ($35 stake) | Trixie ($20 stake) |
|---|---|---|
| All 3 win | $1,045 | $740 |
| 2 win (A+B) | $145 | $100 |
| 1 wins (A only) | $20 (-$15 loss) | $0 (-$20 loss) |
| None win | $0 (-$35 loss) | $0 (-$20 loss) |
The trade-off: Patent costs more but provides singles coverage.
When to Use a Patent Bet
Ideal Situations
-
Longer odds selections - The singles provide meaningful returns when one wins at good odds
-
Horse racing - Unpredictable results make the safety net valuable
-
Uncertain events - When you’re not confident all will win
-
Building bankroll - Frequent small returns from singles
When to Avoid Patents
-
Short odds favorites - Singles on favorites don’t return enough to justify the extra stake
-
Budget constraints - 7× the stake of a treble is significant
-
High confidence in all 3 - A treble or Trixie is more efficient
Patent Odds Analysis
Minimum Odds for Profit
For a Patent to be profitable when only one selection wins, that selection must return more than the total stake.
With $5 unit ($35 total stake), minimum odds for single winner profit:
| Return Needed | Odds Required |
|---|---|
| $35 (break even) | 7.00 |
| $40 ($5 profit) | 8.00 |
| $50 ($15 profit) | 10.00 |
Key insight: Patents work best with selections at 7.00+ (6/1+) odds.
Why Odds Matter
| Selection Odds | Single Return ($5) | 1 Winner Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | $10 | -$25 loss |
| 3.00 | $15 | -$20 loss |
| 5.00 | $25 | -$10 loss |
| 7.00 | $35 | Break even |
| 10.00 | $50 | +$15 profit |
Patent vs Lucky 15
The Lucky 15 is similar but with 4 selections:
| Feature | Patent | Lucky 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Selections | 3 | 4 |
| Total bets | 7 | 15 |
| Stake ($10 unit) | $70 | $150 |
| Includes singles | Yes | Yes |
| Bonus features | No | Often yes |
Lucky 15s typically include consolation bonuses (double odds for 1 winner, bonus for all 4 winners).
Quick Patent Returns Table
Unit stake: $5 (Total: $35)
| Odds A | Odds B | Odds C | All 3 Win | 2 Win (best) | 1 Wins (best) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | $275 | $60 | $15 |
| 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | $545 | $100 | $20 |
| 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | $930 | $150 | $25 |
| 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 | $1,435 | $210 | $30 |
| 4.00 | 5.00 | 6.00 | $1,045 | $100-$150 | $20-$30 |
Real-World Patent Example
Saturday Horse Racing Meeting
| Selection | Race | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Star | 2:00 Ascot | 5/1 (6.00) |
| Silver Flash | 3:15 Ascot | 7/1 (8.00) |
| Bronze Medal | 4:30 Ascot | 4/1 (5.00) |
$2 unit stake = $14 total
Possible Outcomes
All three win:
- Singles: $12 + $16 + $10 = $38
- Doubles: $96 + $60 + $80 = $236
- Treble: $480
- Total: $754 (Profit: $740)
Golden Star and Silver Flash win, Bronze Medal loses:
- Singles: $12 + $16 = $28
- Double: $96
- Total: $124 (Profit: $110)
Only Golden Star wins:
- Single: $12
- Total: $12 (Loss: -$2)
The 6.00 odds on Golden Star nearly breaks even with a single winner.
Patent Betting Strategy
The Break-Even Strategy
Choose selections where the average odds are around 7.00 (6/1). This means:
- 1 winner: roughly breaks even
- 2 winners: solid profit
- 3 winners: excellent return
Diversify Your Selections
Don’t put all selections in the same race meeting or sport. Spread risk:
- Selection A: 2:30 Ascot
- Selection B: 3:00 Newmarket
- Selection C: 3:30 Cheltenham
Each Way Patents
An each way Patent is 14 bets (7 win + 7 place). This provides even more coverage:
- Win bets pay if selections win
- Place bets pay if selections place (usually top 3-4)
Warning: Each way doubles your stake to $70 with a $5 unit.
Rule 4 in Patent Bets
Rule 4 deductions apply to each bet individually.
Example: Selection B has a 20% Rule 4 deduction
| Bet | Rule 4 Applied? |
|---|---|
| Single A | No |
| Single B | Yes |
| Single C | No |
| Double A+B | Yes (on B’s portion) |
| Double A+C | No |
| Double B+C | Yes (on B’s portion) |
| Treble | Yes (on B’s portion) |
Our calculator handles Rule 4 automatically for each selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many winners do I need for a Patent to pay out?
Just 1 winner is enough for a return, though you may not recover your full stake unless the odds are good.
What’s the difference between a Patent and a Trixie?
A Patent includes 3 singles; a Trixie doesn’t. This means a Patent pays on 1 winner, while a Trixie needs 2.
Is a Patent worth it for short odds favorites?
Generally no. The singles don’t return enough to justify the extra stake. Patents work better with odds of 5.00+ (4/1+).
Can I do an each way Patent?
Yes. An each way Patent is 14 bets (7 win + 7 place), costing double the stake.
What happens if one selection is a non-runner?
Bets including that selection are reduced. Singles become void (stake returned), doubles become singles, and the treble becomes a double.
Is a Patent the same as a full cover bet?
Yes, a Patent is the 3-selection full cover bet with singles. Without singles, it’s called a Trixie.
Start Calculating Your Patent Bets
Use our free Patent calculator above to:
- Enter odds for all three selections
- Input your unit stake (total = unit × 7)
- Apply Rule 4 deductions if needed
- See potential returns for all winning scenarios
- Compare with Trixie to decide which suits your selections
The calculator shows every possible outcome, helping you understand exactly what you’ll win whether one, two, or all three of your selections come in.