Definition
A Yankee is a system bet covering 4 selections with 11 individual bets: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator. You need at least 2 of your 4 selections to win for a return. It does not include singles -- for that, you would need a Lucky 15 (15 bets: 4 singles + 6 doubles + 4 trebles + 1 fourfold).
How It Works
From 4 selections (A, B, C, D), the Yankee generates every possible combination of doubles (6), trebles (4), and the one fourfold. If 2 selections win, one double pays. If 3 win, three doubles and one treble pay. If all 4 win, all 11 bets pay for a substantial return. Total stake = 11 x unit stake.
Example
Selections: A (1.80), B (2.00), C (2.50), D (3.00). Unit stake: $5 (total stake: $55).
If all 4 win:
- 6 doubles: combined returns = $141.50
- 4 trebles: combined returns = $172
- 1 fourfold: 1.80 x 2.00 x 2.50 x 3.00 x $5 = $135
- Total return: $448.50, profit: $393.50
If A and B win (other 2 lose):
- 1 double (A+B): 1.80 x 2.00 x $5 = $18
- Total return: $18, loss: $37
Why It Matters
The Yankee is popular because it balances the excitement of accumulator payouts with the safety of system coverage. When all 4 picks win, the 11-bet structure amplifies returns well beyond a single 4-fold. The downside is the high total stake (11 units), which means you need strong results just to break even. It works best when your selections are at decent odds (2.00+), as low-odds favorites produce small doubles that may not cover the total stake.
Use our parlay calculator to model your Yankee returns across different scenarios and see exactly how many winners you need to break even.