What is a Flag Bet?
A flag bet is a four-selection system bet that combines 23 smaller bets on one bet slip, giving bettors a chance to return winnings even if not all four selections win.
Flag bets are more common in UK betting, where they sit alongside other system bets such as Yankees, Lucky 15s, Heinz bets, and Goliaths. They are usually used by bettors who want more ways to win than a standard accumulator, but are willing to place a higher total stake.
How does a Flag Bet work?
A flag bet works by taking four selections and combining them into 23 separate bets.
These bets are made up of:
- 6 doubles
- 4 trebles
- 1 four-fold accumulator
- 6 up-and-down SSA pairs
The doubles need two selections to win. The trebles need three selections to win. The four-fold accumulator needs all four selections to win.
The up and down bets (often called single stakes about, or SSA bets) are extra linked bets between pairs of selections. They give the bet more return paths than a standard Yankee, but they also increase the total stake.
Example:
Here’s a simple example of a flag bet with four selections:
Selection | Bet | Odds |
|---|---|---|
Selection 1 | Team A to win | 2.20 |
Selection 2 | Team B to win | 1.91 |
Selection 3 | Over 2.5 goals | 2.05 |
Selection 4 | Fighter A to win | 2.50 |
A flag bet combines these four selections into 23 separate bets. If the unit stake is £1, the total stake would be £23.
- If only one selection wins, the main Yankee part of the flag bet does not return anything because there are no winning doubles, trebles, or four-fold accumulator.
- If two selections win, one or more doubles may return. The exact payout depends on which two selections win and the odds attached to them.
- If three selections win, the bet can return through the winning doubles and trebles. This usually gives a higher return than two winning selections.
- If all four selections win, every part of the flag bet can return. That includes the doubles, trebles, four-fold accumulator, and the added up and down bets.
Flag Bet vs Yankee bet
Flag bets and Yankee bets both use four selections, but they are not the same bet. A flag bet is built on a Yankee, then adds extra up and down bets.
Number of bets:
- A flag bet contains 23 bets in total because it includes the same Yankee bets plus 6 up-and-down SSA pairs.
- A Yankee contains 11 bets in total. These are 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator.
Total stake:
- A flag bet costs more than a Yankee at the same unit stake. For example, a £1 flag bet costs £23, while a £1 Yankee costs £11.
Return paths:
- A flag bet creates more possible returns because of the added up and down bets.
- A Yankee can still return money when at least two selections win, but it has fewer return paths overall.
Complexity:
- A flag bet is harder to understand because it includes both Yankee-style bets and up and down bets.
- A Yankee is simpler because it only includes doubles, trebles, and a four-fold accumulator.
Flag Bet vs Lucky 15
A flag bet and a Lucky 15 both use four selections, but they are built differently.
Number of bets:
- A flag bet contains 23 bets in total and includes 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold accumulator, and 6 up-and-down pairs (12 bets in total).
- A Lucky 15 contains 15 bets in total and includes 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator.
Total stake:
- A flag bet costs more than a Lucky 15 at the same unit stake. For example, a £1 flag bet costs £23, while a £1 Lucky 15 costs £15.
Return paths:
- A flag bet can return money when at least two selections win.
- A Lucky 15 can return money when just one selection wins because it includes singles.
Complexity:
- A flag bet is more complex because of the added up and down bets.
- A Lucky 15 is easier to understand because it follows a simple singles, doubles, trebles, and accumulator structure.
Conclusion
A flag bet is a four-selection system bet that gives bettors more return paths than a standard accumulator. It combines doubles, trebles, a four-fold accumulator, and up and down bets into one larger bet slip.
It can return money when two or more selections win, but it does not offer the same single-selection cover as a Lucky 15. Before placing one, check the total cost, the odds, and the possible returns.
For more on betting markets and terminology, visit The Advantage blog.
Frequently asked questions
How many selections are in a flag bet?
A flag bet always uses four selections. These selections can come from the same sport or different sports, depending on what the bookmaker allows. Each selection is then combined into different smaller bets within the full flag bet.
How many bets are in a flag bet?
A standard flag bet contains 23 bets in total. This is made up of the same 11 bets found in a Yankee, plus 12 extra up and down bets. Because of this, a flag bet is more complex than a standard four-selection accumulator or Yankee.
What bets are included in a flag bet?
A flag bet includes 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold accumulator, and 6 up-and-down SSA pairs6 up-and-down SSA pairs . The doubles need two selections to win, the trebles need three selections to win, and the four-fold needs all four selections to win. The up-and-down bets are linked single-stakes-about (SSA) bets placed between pairs of selections.
How much does a flag bet cost?
The total cost of a flag bet depends on the unit stake. Since a flag bet contains 23 bets, the total stake is the unit stake multiplied by 23. For example, a 10p flag bet costs £2.30, a 50p flag bet costs £11.50, and a £1 flag bet costs £23.
Is a flag bet the same as a Super Yankee?
No. A flag bet is not the same as a Super Yankee. A flag bet uses four selections and contains 23 bets in total. A Super Yankee, also called a Canadian, uses five selections and contains 26 bets in total. Both are system bets, but they are built from a different number of selections and have different bet combinations.
Is a flag bet better than an accumulator?
A flag bet is not automatically better than an accumulator. It gives more possible return paths because not every selection has to win for the bet to return. However, it also costs more and can be harder to understand. An accumulator is simpler and cheaper, but every selection must win for the bet to pay out.