Lottery Betting Combinations (a.k.a Permutations) Explained

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Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

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Today, we're going to be talking about a lesser known side of fixed-odds lottery betting - combinations (aka Permutations or Perm) betting. We'll also be announcing an excited new feature that has been added to CompareTheLotto.com - the Lottery Permutation Calculator.

Straight Bets - Everyone's Favourite

The most popular way to bet on the Lotto is 'Straight' bet, which sometimes also goes by the name 'Accumulator'. This is where you select the amount of numbers you would like to bet on prior to the draw and to win you must match all numbers. Some examples of common Straight bets include:

• Pick & match 3 numbers on the 49's at odds of 700/1* (in a six-ball draw)
• Pick & match 3 numbers on the Irish Lotto also at 700/1* (in a six-ball draw)
• Pick & match 4 numbers on the 49's at 8500/1* (in a six-ball draw)

It's popular for a reason - it's a simple bet to understand and it balances great returns with a decent probability of the bet coming in.

A common query with straight bets is whether you get anything if you don't quite match all numbers - for example, if you pick four numbers and you get three out of four correct, do you win anything? The answer is usually no (the exception is some bookmakers offer 'Missed By One' promotions).

Missing by one number can be frustrating - this is where permutation betting can be a good way to cover all outcomes of your chosen numbers.

What Is Lottery Betting Combination Betting?

Combination Lottery Betting is essentially covering all outcomes given your chosen numbers.

For example, say I choose numbers: 5, 15, 49 on the 49's Lotto.

With a Straight Bet, I will only win if all three numbers are drawn.

With the same numbers I could do a Patent Bet (a type of Combination bet), which is made up of seven individual bets: 3 Singles, 3 Doubles and 1 Treble. For my chosen numbers, these are the combinations:

Singles - Each @ 6/1* (in a six-ball draw)

• 5
• 15
• 49

Doubles - Each @ 66/1* (in a six-ball draw)

• 5, 15
• 5, 49
• 15, 49

Trebles - Each @ 700/1* (in a six-ball draw)

• 5, 15, 49

Now, if any single number I chose, or combination of my numbers, is drawn I will get a return.

It's important to remember, that as each selection is a separate bet your stake is multiplied. In the example above, my stake is multiplied by seven. Bookmakers allow stakes as low as 5 pence, so users placing perm bets often will have very small stakes per bet - for example, I could stake 10p per bet, giving a total stake of 70p.

What Other Combination Bets Are There?

Here's a list of perm bets and a brief explanation:

Available for all Lotto bets:

• Singles: One bet per number chosen.

Available when selecting two or more numbers:

• Doubles: Consists of one bet on two numbers. Both numbers in pair must be drawn for you to get a return.

Available when selecting three or more numbers:

• Trebles: Consists of one bet on three numbers. All three of your chosen numbers must be drawn for you to get a return.

Available when selecting exactly three numbers:

• Patent: Seven bets: 3 Singles, 3 Doubles and 1 Treble.
• Trixie: Four bets: 3 Doubles, 1 Treble.

Available when selecting exactly four numbers:

• Lucky 15: Fifteen bets: 4 Singles, 6 Doubles, 4 Trebles and 1 Four-fold.
• Yankee: Eleven bets: 6 Doubles, 4 Trebles and 1 Four-fold.

Available when selecting exactly five numbers:

• Canadian: Twenty six bets: 10 Doubles, 10 Trebles, 5 Four-fold accumulators and 1 Five-fold accumulator.
• Lucky 31: Thirty one bets: 5 Singles, 10 Doubles, 10 Trebles, 5 Four-fold accumulators and 1 Five-fold accumulator.

Available when selecting exactly six numbers:

• Heinz: Fifty-seven bets: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 Four-fold accumulators, 6 Five-fold accumulators, and 1 Six-fold accumulator.
• Lucky 63: Sixty-three bets: 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 Four-fold accumulators, 6 Five-fold accumulators, and 1 Six-fold accumulator.

Our Lottery Combination Calculator

To help our users understand Lottery Perm betting, we created our Lottery Perm Calculator. The tool allows you to enter the numbers you normally bet on it then shows Combination bets available to you with your chosen numbers.

The tool also includes links to bookmakers where you can place Combination bets and Combination examples.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the information above, please let us know in the comments and we'll get back to you.

* Odds taken from Betfred and are correct at the time of publishing. For the latest odds check with your usual bookmaker.