What Is a Trixie Bet?
A Trixie is a system bet consisting of 4 bets on 3 selections:
- 3 doubles
- 1 treble
Unlike a straight treble where all three must win, a Trixie returns a profit if at least 2 of your 3 selections win. This provides insurance against one selection losing while still offering strong returns if all three win.
Trixie structure:
| Bet Type | Selections | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Double 1 | A + B | 1 |
| Double 2 | A + C | 1 |
| Double 3 | B + C | 1 |
| Treble | A + B + C | 1 |
| Total | 4 bets |
Key characteristic: Minimum 2 winners needed for any return.
How the Trixie 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 × 4) |
Trixie Stake Calculation
Total Stake = Unit Stake × 4 bets
Example: $10 unit stake = $40 total stake
Trixie Bet Example: Complete Breakdown
Your Selections
| Selection | Event | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| A | Arsenal to win | 2.00 |
| B | Liverpool to win | 2.50 |
| C | Man City to win | 1.80 |
Unit stake: $10 Total stake: $10 × 4 = $40
All Four Bets Explained
| Bet | Type | Selections | Combined Odds | $10 Stake Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Double | A + B | 2.00 × 2.50 = 5.00 | $50 |
| 2 | Double | A + C | 2.00 × 1.80 = 3.60 | $36 |
| 3 | Double | B + C | 2.50 × 1.80 = 4.50 | $45 |
| 4 | Treble | A + B + C | 2.00 × 2.50 × 1.80 = 9.00 | $90 |
Trixie Outcomes: What You Win
Scenario 1: All Three Win ✓ ✓ ✓
| Bet | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Double A+B | ✓ Won | $50 |
| Double A+C | ✓ Won | $36 |
| Double B+C | ✓ Won | $45 |
| Treble | ✓ Won | $90 |
| Total Return | $221 | |
| Total Stake | $40 | |
| Profit | $181 |
Scenario 2: Two Win, One Loses ✓ ✓ ✗
A and B win, C loses:
| Bet | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Double A+B | ✓ Won | $50 |
| Double A+C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double B+C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Treble | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Total Return | $50 | |
| Profit | $10 |
Even with one loser, you make a profit because one double wins.
Scenario 3: Only One Wins ✓ ✗ ✗
Only A wins:
| Bet | Result | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Double A+B | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double A+C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Double B+C | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Treble | ✗ Lost | $0 |
| Total Return | $0 | |
| Loss | -$40 |
With only one winner, all bets lose because every bet requires at least two selections to win.
Scenario 4: One Selection Void ✓ ✓ ⊘
A and B win, C is void (postponed):
| Bet | What Happens | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Double A+B | ✓ Won normally | $50 |
| Double A+C | Becomes single on A | $20 |
| Double B+C | Becomes single on B | $25 |
| Treble | Becomes double A+B | $50 |
| Total Return | $145 |
Trixie vs Treble: Key Differences
| Feature | Trixie | Treble |
|---|---|---|
| Number of bets | 4 | 1 |
| Total stake ($10 unit) | $40 | $10 |
| Minimum winners needed | 2 | 3 |
| Return if 2/3 win | Profit | $0 |
| Return if 3/3 win | Higher total | Lower total |
| Risk level | Medium | Higher |
Same Selections, Different Outcomes
Selections: 2.00, 2.50, 1.80
| Outcome | Trixie ($40 stake) | Treble ($40 stake) |
|---|---|---|
| All 3 win | $221 return ($181 profit) | $360 return ($320 profit) |
| 2 win | $50-$50 return ($10-$10 profit) | $0 return (-$40 loss) |
| 1 wins | $0 return (-$40 loss) | $0 return (-$40 loss) |
The trade-off: Trebles pay more when all win; Trixies protect you when one loses.
When to Use a Trixie Bet
Ideal Situations
-
Confident in 3 selections but want protection - You like all three picks but know anything can happen
-
Higher-odds selections - The insurance is more valuable when odds are longer
-
Horse racing - Non-runners and unpredictable results make coverage valuable
-
Close sporting events - When outcomes are genuinely uncertain
When to Avoid Trixies
-
Very short odds - Low odds mean the doubles don’t return much if one loses
-
Budget constraints - 4× the stake of a treble
-
Want maximum returns - A treble pays more if all win
Trixie Betting Strategy
Finding Value in Trixies
The key question: Is the insurance worth 3× more stake?
Calculate the break-even point:
With a $10 treble vs $40 Trixie (same total potential outlay):
- Treble needs all 3 to return anything
- Trixie returns on 2/3 or better
If you estimate each selection has a 60% chance of winning:
- Treble win probability: 60% × 60% × 60% = 21.6%
- Trixie win probability (2+ winners): ~82%
The Trixie wins far more often, but for smaller amounts when only 2 win.
Optimal Trixie Odds
Trixies work best with odds between 2.00 - 5.00 per selection:
- Too short: Double returns don’t justify the extra stake
- Too long: Better to use each way or stick with singles
Trixie vs Patent: Which to Choose?
Both are 3-selection system bets, but they differ:
| Feature | Trixie | Patent |
|---|---|---|
| Total bets | 4 | 7 |
| Includes singles | No | Yes (3 singles) |
| Minimum winners | 2 | 1 |
| Stake ($10 unit) | $40 | $70 |
| Best for | Medium odds | Longer odds |
Choose Trixie when: You’re confident at least 2 will win Choose Patent when: You want returns even if only 1 wins
Rule 4 in Trixie Bets
Rule 4 deductions apply individually to each bet within the Trixie.
Example: Horse B’s race has a 25% Rule 4 deduction
| Bet | Rule 4 Applied? |
|---|---|
| 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.
Quick Trixie Returns Table
Unit stake: $10 (Total: $40)
| Odds A | Odds B | Odds C | If All Win | If 2 Win (best) | If 2 Win (worst) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | $160 | $40 | $40 |
| 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | $281 | $63 | $63 |
| 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | $450 | $90 | $90 |
| 2.00 | 3.00 | 4.00 | $504 | $60-$120 | varies |
| 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | $1,120 | $160 | $160 |
Real-World Trixie Example
Saturday Horse Racing
| Selection | Race | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Thunder Bolt | 2:30 Ascot | 7/2 (4.50) |
| Silver Storm | 3:15 Newmarket | 5/1 (6.00) |
| Golden Dawn | 4:00 York | 3/1 (4.00) |
$5 unit stake = $20 total
If all three win:
- Double 1: $5 × (4.50 × 6.00) = $135
- Double 2: $5 × (4.50 × 4.00) = $90
- Double 3: $5 × (6.00 × 4.00) = $120
- Treble: $5 × (4.50 × 6.00 × 4.00) = $540
- Total: $885 (Profit: $865)
If Thunder Bolt and Silver Storm win, Golden Dawn loses:
- Double 1 wins: $135
- Doubles 2 & 3 lose: $0
- Treble loses: $0
- Total: $135 (Profit: $115)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many winners do I need for a Trixie to pay out?
Minimum 2 of your 3 selections must win for any return.
Is a Trixie the same as a Round Robin?
No. A Round Robin typically refers to all possible combinations including singles. A Trixie is specifically 3 doubles + 1 treble (no singles).
Can I do an each way Trixie?
Yes. An each way Trixie is 8 bets (4 win bets + 4 place bets). Your stake is doubled.
What happens if one selection is a non-runner?
Bets including that selection become bets on the remaining selection(s). The Trixie effectively becomes a double on the two remaining horses.
Is a Trixie good value?
It depends on your selections. Trixies offer protection but at 4× the stake of a treble. They’re valuable when you want coverage but are confident in at least 2 winners.
Start Calculating Your Trixie Bets
Use our free Trixie calculator above to:
- Enter odds for all three selections
- Input your unit stake (total = unit × 4)
- Apply Rule 4 deductions if needed
- See potential returns for all winning scenarios
- Compare with treble returns to make the best choice
The calculator shows you exactly what you’ll win for every possible outcome, helping you decide if the Trixie’s insurance is worth the extra stake.