Doubles & Trebles: What They Mean in Betting

Doubles and trebles are two types of multiple bets where you combine multiple selections into one bet. A double, as you’d expect, is made up of two selections; a treble is made up of three.

Each selection of the bet must land in order for it to pay out, but the appeal of these multiples is largely that they offer considerably greater returns than singles when they land.

Here’s an overview of how both types work, when you might use them and what you have to know before you place them.

The odds used in this article are for illustrative purposes only.

What is a double bet?

A double bet combines two selections into one bet, and both must win for you to receive a payout. Returns from the first selection automatically roll onto the second, multiplying your potential winnings.

Double bet example:

• First selection: Chelsea to beat Crystal Palace at evens (1/1)

• Second selection: Liverpool to beat Newcastle at 3/4

• Stake: £10

If both win:

• £10 at evens = £20

• £20 rolls onto Liverpool at 3/4 = £35 total return

• Profit: £25 (minus £10 stake)

If either selection loses, the entire bet loses. It doesn't matter if one selection wins; both must succeed for any payout.

What is a treble bet?

A combination of three selections on one bet, where all three must win in order for the bet to pay out. Returns compound across the three legs, creating larger potential profits than doubles.

Treble bet example:

• First selection: Tottenham to win at 11/10

• Second selection: Brighton to win at 6/4

• Third selection: Newcastle to win at 7/10

• Stake: £10

If all three win:

• £10 at 11/10 = £21

• £21 at 6/4 = £52.50

• £52.50 at 7/10 = £89.25 total return

• Profit: £79.25 (minus £10 stake)

The entire bet fails if any of the selections lose. One losing selection nullifies the whole treble regardless of what happens with the other two.

How do doubles and trebles differ from singles?

Singles are straightforward: one selection, one outcome, one stake. If it wins, you get paid at the posted odds. If it loses, your stake is gone.

Doubles and trebles combine your selections, changing the risk-reward dynamic in doing so.

Risk increase: with singles, each bet is independent, but with doubles and trebles, one failure fells everything. This makes them riskier because more things have to go right.

Returns increase: the trade-off for the higher risk is higher reward. Multiplying odds creates better returns than placing the same amount on individual singles.

Singles vs. treble example comparison:

Three singles at £10 each (£30 total stake) with odds of evens, 6/4 and 7/10:

• If all win, returns are £20 + £25 + £17 respectively = £62 total (£32 profit)

One treble at £10 stake with the same odds:

• If all win: £85.50 total return (£75.50 profit)

The treble delivers more than double the profit of the three singles, but only if all three selections win.

When should you use doubles & trebles?

Doubles and trebles can work when you're confident about multiple selections and are after better returns than you might get with singles.

The decision between doubles and trebles depends on how many strong selections you think you have and your general risk tolerance.

Doubles and trebles may be suitable when:

• You've identified two or three outcomes you genuinely believe will happen

• The combined odds create value you're happy with

• You're willing to accept that one leg losing means total loss

• You've researched your selections thoroughly and are not just adding legs to chase bigger odds

Doubles are comparatively less volatile because they only require two results. They're a natural step up from singles and offer enhanced returns without too much complexity.

Trebles require more to go right but can offer substantially higher payouts. The third leg adds significant complexity and risk, so you need to be confident that the enhanced returns justify your choices.

What happens if one selection is void?

Sometimes a selection in your double or treble gets voided due to postponement, abandonment or other circumstances covered by betting rules.

If one selection is void in a double, the bet typically reverts to a single on the remaining selection. You're paid out at reduced odds.

For a voided selection in a treble, the bet becomes a double for the remaining two selections.

Voided selections may reduce your potential return but don't automatically terminate the entire bet. It’s worth checking the bookmaker’s rules so you know what to expect when it comes to voided selections on doubles and trebles.

Can you mix the sports on doubles and trebles?

Yes. Doubles and trebles don't require selections from the same sport. You can combine football with tennis, horse racing with cricket – or any other combination.

Mixed treble example:

• Premier League: Arsenal to beat Manchester United at 4/7

• Tennis: Zverev to beat Norrie at 1/4

• Horse racing: selected horse to win at 3/1

If all three win, the returns multiply across sports just as they would within a single sport. Mixing sports is common and works identically to keeping selections restricted to one sport.

How are doubles and trebles different from accumulators?

Doubles and trebles are types of accumulators, or “accas”. The term usually refers to a bet with four or more selections, but it can technically apply to any multiple bet where returns accumulate across legs.

Key differences:

• Doubles and trebles: two or three selections, moderate risk, enhanced returns

• Larger accumulators: four or more selections, high risk, potentially big returns

The more selections you add, the higher the potential payout but the lower your chances of winning. Mathematics begins to work harder against you with each leg you add.

Doubles and trebles help keep things more manageable while still offering meaningful return improvements over singles.

Are doubles and trebles good for beginners?

Doubles can work for beginners who understand singles and want to experiment with multiples. They're straightforward enough: two selections, with both needing to win for the returns to multiply.

Trebles are slightly more complex because adding a third leg increases difficulty considerably. Beginners might want to get a good handle on doubles before moving to trebles.

Tips for beginners:

• Start with smaller stakes until you're comfortable with how multiples work

• Don't feel like you have to use doubles or trebles just because they're available

• Singles remain perfectly valid; multiples aren't inherently better – check out our Singles Betting guide for a full rundown

• Before you place your first multiple, understand one unsuccessful leg loses everything

There's no requirement to use multiples. They're simply options that serve specific purposes, not superior bet types.

Common double and treble oversights

Adding weak selections to improve odds

Including a selection you're not very confident about just because it can boost the combined odds is counterproductive. One weak link undoes the whole bet.

Treating them like singles

Doubles and trebles require all selections to win. You can't afford one failure. This changes how you should assess selections compared to singles.

Overusing them

Not every situation calls for a multiple bet. Occasionally, three strong singles are better than one treble. Don't default to multiples when singles make more sense.

Doubles & trebles: points worth remembering

The trade-off in playing with doubles and trebles is simple: higher potential payouts in exchange for higher risk, because all selections must win. Depending on your risk appetite and confidence levels, you may decide to back two or three outcomes instead of one for potentially greater returns.

Do not use multiple bets to chase bigger payouts by adding selections you’re not sure about. Remember that doubles, trebles and other types of multiples work as a balanced approach alongside singles. Neither is fundamentally better than the other, they just serve different purposes and contexts.

Make sure you know how the bet you’re building works, the risks that go with it and be confident that the potential return justifies what’s needed to land. Being clear on that helps keep doubles and trebles useful rather than reckless.

For more guides and articles helping demystify the world of sports betting, check out the Bally Bet Sports & Casino blog.

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.