One slip, several selections
A multi, also called an accumulator or acca, combines two or more selections on one slip. Every selection, or leg, must win for a standard multi to pay. If one leg loses, the whole slip loses, whatever happened in the other games.
Compare multi-bet features through the betting sites table.
Operators set their own rules for void, postponed and abandoned legs. Read them before assuming a leg is simply removed. These examples are illustrations, not current prices or tips.
The odds multiply
A R50 cash stake would return R270 if all three legs win, which is R220 profit. If any leg loses, the return is R0 and the R50 stake is lost.
New to decimal prices? Our decimal odds guide covers return, profit and implied probability.
The chances multiply too
Implied probability is one divided by the odds. In the example above that is about 55.6%, 50% and 66.7%. Multiply them and you get about 18.5%, the same as one divided by 5.40. Every extra leg shrinks it again.
| Legs | Combined odds | Return if all win | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.00 | R40 | 50% |
| 2 | 4.00 | R80 | 25% |
| 4 | 16.00 | R320 | 6.25% |
| 6 | 64.00 | R1,280 | 1.56% |
| 10 | 1,024.00 | R20,480 | 0.10% |
Implied probability is a price calculation, not a forecast. It shows what the odds assume, not what will happen.
The margin compounds
Take a purely illustrative two-outcome market priced at 1.90 each way. The implied probabilities add to about 105.3%; the extra is the bookmaker’s margin. A margin-free price for a true 50/50 would be 2.00.
The same four legs at a margin-free 2.00 would be 16.00. The multi pays about 81% of the margin-free return, and each extra leg pushes that lower.
Boosts and insurance: read the conditions
Some operators advertise multi boosts or refunds when one leg lets you down. The conditions decide the value: the minimum number of legs, minimum odds per leg, eligible markets, the maximum boost or refund, and whether any refund is cash or a restricted bonus.
Check whether a boost applies to profit or to the total return. A 10% boost on R220 profit would add R22, but only if the terms calculate it that way. Our bonus-terms guide explains wagering and free-bet stakes, and the promo-code listings show the current supplied terms.
Keep the slip in proportion
A long multi is a small stake chasing a big number with a small chance. Treat the stake as spent the moment you place it. Set a budget before building a slip, and never add legs or raise stakes to win back a loss.
If betting has stopped being fun, the SARGF helpline is free on 0800 006 008. See our safer-gambling page for tools and support.
Frequently asked questions
Do all legs of a multi need to win?
For a standard multi, yes. One losing leg means the slip loses. Rules for void or postponed legs vary by operator, so read them first.
Why does a big multi pay so much?
Because the combined chance is small. The odds of each leg multiply, and so does the bookmaker’s margin built into each price.
Is a multi boost free money?
No. A boost changes the payout only if the slip wins and meets every condition. Check the minimum legs, odds and maximum boost.