A Lucky 31 is one of the most complex multi-selection bets in horse racing, but there is a reason it is one of the most popular amongst punters, and we are on hand to run you through exactly what it is and why you should consider using it.
We have also provided a sports betting odds tool to help you calculate the potentially huge returns on a Lucky 31 bet. But first, what is a Lucky 31?
What Is a Lucky 31 Bet?
A Lucky 31 gets its name from the fact that, despite picking just five horses, you are actually placing 31 individual bets. These are made up of five singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-fold accumulators and a sole five-fold.
You may be thinking, well surely I could just place a standard five-fold? Yes, you’re right, you could. However, a Lucky 31 has the great benefit of covering more bases, meaning that even if one or two horses lose, you could still end up spinning a profit.
To show how more bases are covered, here is a breakdown of all 31 bets in a Lucky 15:
Bet 1 — A single on horse A to win its race;
Bet 2 — A single on horse B to win its race;
Bet 3 — A single on horse C to win its race;
Bet 4 — A single on horse D to win its race;
Bet 5 — A single on horse E to win its race;
Bet 6 — A double on horses A and B;
Bet 7 — A double on horses A and C;
Bet 8 — A double on horses A and D;
Bet 9 — A double on horses A and E;
Bet 10 — A double on horses B and C;
Bet 11 — A double on horses B and D;
Bet 12 — A double on horses B and E;
Bet 13 — A double on horses C and D;
Bet 14 — A double on horses C and E;
Bet 15 — A double on horses D and E;
Bet 16 — A treble on horses A, B and C;
Bet 17 — A treble on horses A, B and D;
Bet 18 — A treble on horses A, B and E;
Bet 19 — A treble on horses A, C and D;
Bet 20 — A treble on horses A, C and E;
Bet 21 — A treble on horses A, D and E;
Bet 22 — A treble on horses B, C and D;
Bet 23 — A treble on horses B, C and E;
Bet 24 — A treble on horses B, D and E;
Bet 25 — A treble on horses C, D and E;
Bet 26 — A fourfold on horses A, B, C and D.
Bet 27 — A fourfold on horses A, B, C and E.
Bet 28 — A fourfold on horses A, B, D and E.
Bet 29 — A fourfold on horses A, C, D and E.
Bet 30 — A fourfold on horses B, C, D and E.
Bet 31— A fivefold on horses A, B, C, D and E.
With that many bets going on, it may seem impossible to win, but that is what makes a Lucky 31 so great as it opens up a plethora of punting opportunities.
If all five horses win, all 31 bets win, and a huge payout will be coming your way. However, a Lucky 31 will also suit those punters who prefer to back the outsiders as, if you place an each-way Lucky 31, five places would also result in big returns.
There is also the bonus that a couple of places or wins on a Lucky 31, depending on the odds of the horses you have selected, would see your stakes returned, making this a perfect betting option no matter your punting strategy.
How to Use the Lucky 31 Bet Calculator
- Choose your bet
Most bookmakers offer Lucky 31 bets, with many adding a 10% bonus on returns on occasion. Do your research before making your picks as a £1 stake on a Lucky 31 would cost £31 (£62 each-way) so it could pay to stick with runners, trainers or tracks you know well when choosing your five selections.
- Come back to this page
Our Lucky 31 bet calculator is at the top of this page. Once you’ve got your odds, come back to GG to use our betting odds calculator.
- Fill in the lucky 15 bet calculator
Enter the stake and the odds for each selection into the calculator. Results are instant, so play around with the stake amounts to see how it affects the potential return.
- Place your bet
If you’re feeling confident with your Lucky 31 selections, head to your bookmaker of choice, fill in the bet slip, and confirm.
Example of a Lucky 31 Bet Calculation & Return
The table below will help break down the potential returns from each component of a Lucky 31 bet. To make things a little easier to visualise, we’ve given each horse standard odds of 2.0 (evens) to win their race.
| Stake | Bet Type | Total Outlay | Potential Winnings | Total Return |
| £1 | 5x Single | £5 | £5 | £10 |
| £1 | 10x Double | £10 | £30 | £40 |
| £1 | 10x Treble | £10 | £70 | £80 |
| £1 | 5x Fourfold | £5 | £75 | £80 |
| £1 | 1x Fivefold | £1 | £31 | £32 |
If all bets were to win in this example, the total return would be £242.
FAQs About Lucky 31 Bet Calculations
- What is the difference between a Lucky 31 bet and other bet types?
Lucky 31 bets tend to be reserved for horse and greyhound punting only, although some bookies do offer them on other sports.
They consist of five singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five fourfolds and one fivefold. When applied to the same runners, these selections work together to help minimise losses.
- What types of odds can I use with this calculator?
We’ve opted for decimal odds in our calculator, but you can change to fractional or American if you prefer.
- Are Lucky 31 Bet Calculators accurate?
Yes, all our bet calculators are a mathematical certainty.