Parlays/Accumulators

Parlays or Accumulators are the most placed sports bets in South Africa. With all the sports action, Accas offer high returns with low stakes.

The weekend sports accumulator or parlay, most commonly known as an Acca, has become commonplace in the South African betting scene. With all the sporting action daily, who can blame us for betting on multiple matches with the possibility of high returns at low stakes? This parlays and accumulators article provides a breakdown of what they are, so you can avoid asking what are parlays. We also delve into the types of bets you can place, common betting markets, and mistakes to avoid when placing them.

What are Parlays and Accumulators?

Accumulators are interchangeable with parlays and mean any bet that comprises at least two individual bets or legs. Depending on the betting site, you can add up to 50 different bets into a single bet slip, with each bet multiplying your total return. Due to their increasing popularity, many betting sites offer Acca bonuses of a percentage boost based on the number of legs in your Acca. 

Main Types of Accumulator Bets

There is a vast array of accumulator variations on offer at South African betting sites, with the main types of parlays including:

• Accas or Accumulators are the most common type of parlay and consist of multiple bets (up to 50) and offer the highest return for your stake.
• Doubles and Trebles are types of accumulator bets that consist of only 2 or 3 selections, respectively. 
• Trixies are a special type of Acca made up of 3 selections and gives you 4 bets. The bets are made up of 3 doubles and 1 treble. 
• Another special accumulator is the Patent, which is also made up of 3 selections. However, the patents offer 7 bets to wager on: 3 singles, 3 doubles, and a treble. 
• A Yankee or Lucky 15 accumulator bet consists of 4 selections, making up 11 bets and 15 bets respectively. Yankees comprises doubles, trebles, and a 4-fold Acca, with Lucky 15 adding 4 single bets as well. 
• Canadian and Lucky 31 Accas consist of 5 selections and total 26 and 31 bets, respectively. Canadians include doubles, trebles, 4-folds and a 5-fold Acca with the Lucky 31 adding 5 single bets. 

How Accumulator Odds are Calculated

Accumulator bets multiply the odds from each selection in your bet slip into a single value and then multiply that by your total stake. For example, if you take a treble on Arsenal, Napoli and Barcelona to win their league games at odds of 1.35, 1.70 and 1.25, respectively. The final odds would be 1.35 x 1.70 x 1.25, giving you odds of 2.87 for your treble. If you place a R100 bet, you will make a profit of R187 if your bet wins.

How to Place an Accumulator Bet

Browse your bookie’s sportsbook and select your picks and parlays that you want to stake on. As you select your markets, the system will automatically calculate your final odds, including any Acca bonus percentages. Once you are happy with your selections, open your betslip and select the accumulator option. Enter your stake, review your final odds and click submit to place your bet.

Popular Markets Used in Accumulators

The most common accumulator bets placed in Mzansi are footie Accas, with the most popular markets including the following:

Match Winner

A three-way market where you can select whether the Home or Away team will win or the match will end in a Draw.

Double Chance

Similar to the Match Winner market, but allowing you to select two outcomes. You can select between Home or Away, Home or Draw and Away or Draw.

Over/Under

A goal line market allows you to bet on how many goals the match, half or a team will have. The most popular market is the Over/Under 2.5 goals market for the match.

Both Teams to Score

A popular goal market where you select whether both teams will find the back of the net or not, commonly abbreviated to BTTS or BTTS No.

Handicap Markets

A popular betting market in both Football and Rugby, where bookies artificially apply a goal or points to teams to level the playing field. It is often used to bet on competitive odds when there is a clear favourite.

Player and Team Specials

Special bets to place on goalscorers, bookings, fouls, corners and offsides, and is popular when selecting alternate lines for accumulators.

Accumulator Bets vs Single Bets

Accumulator bets are multiple single bets combined into a single bet. They offer higher odds than taking single bets on their own. Accas also allow for huge returns at low stakes, but if a single leg loses, the entire ticket is settled as a loss.

Cash Outs and Accumulators

You will be able to cash out your ticket while a match is ongoing or after your selection has been completed if there are more legs to be completed.

Common Accumulator Betting Mistakes

Common mistakes to avoid when placing Accas include:

• Selecting too many legs will exponentially increase your chances of losing.
• Chasing bankers (low odds favourites) to slightly increase your odds is known to frequently result in losses.
• Neglecting Acca promos such as Acca boosts and Acca insurances for your stake back.
• Placing bets well in advance, as players can get injured or teams could rotate, hampering the odds and chances of winning.

Accumulator Settlement Rules

Accas will only be settled if you do not lose any legs. If a leg is voided, it will be scratched, and new odds will be calculated, including any promos. Once your last selection is completed and you have not lost a single leg, your winnings will be credited to you.

Parlays/Accumulators FAQs

Below is a list of the most common questions punters have when placing Accas:

Q: What is an Accumulator bet?

A: An accumulator bet is a multiple-leg bet comprising multiple single bets in one betslip.

Q: Is a Parlay the same as an Accumulator?

A: Yes, the terms Parlay and Accumulator are interchangeable.

Q: What happens if one selection loses in an Accumulator?

A: If a single selection loses in an accumulator, the entire bet is settled as a loss.

Q: What happens if one selection is voided in an Accumulator bet?

A: If a selection is voided, that leg is scratched, and the final odds of the betslip is recalculated without that selection.

Vinolin Naidoo

Writer/Betting Tipster

I have been in the iGaming industry for a decade and am an avid sports bettor and fan. I have expanded my betting knowledge to create articles on the iGaming industry focusing on online casino content and sports betting analysis for several regions, including South Africa. I cover various sports, including Soccer, Cricket and Horse Racing. All my predictions, tips and insights are thoroughly researched and I aim to help fellow punters in beating the bookies!