Understanding the Use and Advantages of Full Covers in Sports Betting
Multiple parlay bets are central to many sports betting strategies, existing in two main forms: those where you manually select combinations, and Full Cover Bets (FC Bets). FC Bets are designed to simplify complex wagers by covering all possible combinations with just one click, placing the same amount on every choice.
If you are new to this system, the best way to learn how a parlay betting strategy works is to start off with small parlays that consist of three or four matches. However, regardless of experience level, if you choose to follow a specific strategy, you should maintain stability and patience, trying it out for a certain period before deciding if it suits your playstyle.
What Exactly is a Full Cover Bet?
A Full Cover Bet is a type of multiple parlay where all possible parlay combinations (excluding singles) are covered based on your chosen wager. The fundamental concept behind a full cover parlay is that you stand to win money even if you miss one or several other matches.
Online bookmakers frequently advertise these “full-cover” parlays. While the convenience of placing hundreds of bets simultaneously is acknowledged, it is important to note that full covers require you to divide your total stake into dozens (or hundreds) of bets, which may weaken your possibilities of earning a sustainable profit.
Common Full Cover Wager Types
The complexity of a Full Cover Bet increases with the number of selections. These standardized wagers cover specific combinations of doubles, trebles, and larger accumulators:
| Wager Name | Matches (Selections) | Total Bets | Included Combinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trixie | 3 matches | 4 bets | 3 doubles, 1 treble |
| Yankee | 4 matches | 11 bets | 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 fourfold |
| Canadian | 5 matches | 26 bets | 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 fourfold bets, 1 fivefold |
| Heinz | 6 matches | 57 bets | 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 fourfold bets, 6 fivefold bets, 1 sixfold bet |
| Super Heinz | 7 matches | 120 bets | 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 fourfold bets, 21 fivefold bets, 7 sixfold bets, 1 sevenfold bet |
| Goliath | 8 matches | 247 bets | 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 fourfold bets, 56 fivefold bets, 28 sixfold bets, 8 sevenfold bets, 1 eightfold bet |
For instance, selecting eight matches allows for the Goliath choice, resulting in 247 different bets placed in just one click.
Key Advantages of Full Cover Bets
Full Cover Bets offer a specific blend of security and potential reward, making them an attractive option for certain punters.
Profitability with Minimum Wins
One of the primary benefits is the ability to ensure profit with the absolute minimum of winning wagers. In cases involving outsider wins, draws, or correct scores, you can still receive some money even with just two winning selections, regardless of how many total selections were built together.
- Trixie and Yankee Preference: The vast majority of high roller punters who enjoy parlay bets prefer the Trixie and Yankee full covers. If you miss one of three selections (Trixie) or two out of five (Yankee), it shouldn’t cause concern, as you will likely receive a payout close to your stake, especially if you chose odds near evens.
- High Odds Strategy: Full cover bets are particularly suited for those who enjoy chasing high odds, such as following a late goals strategy in football or risking on overtime in basketball.
Managing Risk in Large Parlays
While a Goliath bet involves 247 distinct bets, if you place this wager with eight matches, you can still achieve a tiny profit even with only three winning matches (a winning percentage below 50%). As your successful choices increase, so does your profit.
Punters sometimes make the mistake of placing high-risk bets but neglecting to include doubles or trebles. For example, when selecting six matches, a punter might choose a 4-5-6 parlay (21 total bets) to divide the stake less, instead of a Heinz (57 bets). However, by avoiding the full cover (Heinz), they risk getting nothing in return even if three out of six selections win.
Strategic Considerations for Maximizing Full Cover Profit
The potential for profit often depends heavily on the odds chosen and how the stake is distributed.
When to Use High-Volume Covers
Choosing large full cover bets, such as the Super Heinz or a Goliath, is recommended only if you feel confident in picking odds that surpass 2.00, ideally reaching 2.50 or higher.
The necessity of dividing the total stake into many pieces must be acknowledged. For example, placing a Goliath requires dividing the stake into 247 different bets, meaning you would need almost €250 to place just €1 on every single bet.
Stake Division: Full Covers vs. Select Combinations
Choosing which combinations to cover significantly impacts potential returns, especially with high odds.
Consider betting on five draw results in the English Premier League, all at 3.00 odds, with a total stake of 26 euros.
| Strategy | Total Bets | Stake Per Bet | Payout (2 Winners) | Payout (4 Winners) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian (Full Cover) | 26 bets | 1 euro | 9 euros | 243 euros |
| Doubles & Fivefold Only | 11 bets | 2.36 euros | 21.24 euros | 127.44 euros |
In this specific scenario, the second parlay bet (covering only Doubles and the Fivefold) yields more money in the likely case of two or three winners. However, the full Canadian bet provides significantly higher winnings in the best-case scenario of four winners. The worst-case for the select combination strategy is winning four bets, where the payout is approximately half of the Canadian’s winnings.
Finding Reliable Full Cover Bookmakers
To successfully implement a full cover strategy, it is crucial to use trustworthy and reliable online bookmakers that offer the best odds.
- Bookmaker Ratings and Reviews: Helping you find the most reliable online bookmakers globally.
- Safe Betting Sites: A compiled list of trusted bookies, ensuring you avoid scam betting sites that might reject withdrawals or offer rigged games.
- Best Betting Bonuses: Guides to obtaining exclusive offers for new and existing players, such as Reload Bonuses, Acca Insurance, and Freebet Offers.
- Payment Methods: Information on bookmakers that support various deposit and withdrawal options, including Credit Cards, Skrill, Neteller, and Crypto (like Bitcoin).
You can explore recommended bookmakers on the site that offer the best odds in applicable sports such as football, basketball, and tennis to place your full cover bet.