Canadian Bet Calculator (5 Selections, 26 Bets)
What is a Canadian bet?
A Canadian bet — also called a Super Yankee — combines 5 selections into 26 bets: 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds and 1 five-fold. There are no singles, so you need at least 2 winners to see any return at all. It is a popular choice for punters who want broad coverage across five horse racing selections or five football matches without committing to a full five-fold accumulator. At €1 unit stake the total outlay is €26.
Canadian vs Lucky 31: what is the difference?
The Lucky 31 uses the same 5 selections but adds 5 singles, bringing the total to 31 bets. That extra €5 (at €1 unit stake) buys meaningful protection — a single winner still pays out on the Lucky 31, while a Canadian with one winner returns nothing. Many Irish bookmakers offer a one-winner or consolation bonus on Lucky 31 bets too. If you are unsure, the Lucky 31 is safer for shorter-priced selections; the Canadian suits punters who are confident they will land at least two winners.
Canadian bet breakdown
| Bet type | Count | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Doubles | 10 | C(5,2) = 10 |
| Trebles | 10 | C(5,3) = 10 |
| Four-folds | 5 | C(5,4) = 5 |
| Five-fold | 1 | C(5,5) = 1 |
| Total | 26 | — |
Canadian bet example
Say you place a €1 Canadian on five horses at odds of 3.0, 4.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 3.5. Total outlay: €26. If selections 1 and 2 win (odds 3.0 and 4.0), the winning double returns €1 × 3.0 × 4.0 = €12. All other bets — which include selections 3, 4 or 5 — lose. Net result: €12 return on a €26 stake, a loss of €14. If three selections land, the return grows substantially via the trebles and the surviving doubles. The calculator above works this out instantly for any combination of winners.
When to use a Canadian bet
A Canadian suits race day punters who have identified five solid fancies and want all doubles and trebles covered automatically. Because there are no singles, it rewards punters who expect most of their selections to win — the bet compounds well with 3 or more winners. If you are less confident and want a safety net from one winner, consider a Lucky 31 instead. The Canadian's smaller outlay (26 vs 31 × unit stake) is appealing when stakes are higher, such as €2 or €5 per bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
26 bets — 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds and 1 five-fold. There are no singles in a Canadian.
A Yankee uses 4 selections (11 bets); a Canadian uses 5 (26 bets), hence Super Yankee. Both have no singles.
At least 2 winners — to land at least one double. With only 1 winner, all 26 bets lose.
€26 total — 26 bets at €1 unit stake each.
A Lucky 31 adds 5 singles (31 bets total). It pays out with just one winner; a Canadian needs at least 2.