Lucky 31 Bet Explained: What Is a Lucky 31 in Horse Racing?
Horse racing offers a wide range of bets, each with its own rules and outcomes. Among these, the Lucky 31 can look complex at first glance, especially if you are new to covering several races with one bet.
This blog post explains what a Lucky 31 is, how it is built, what it can cost, and how returns are worked out. You will also find a worked example, plus what happens with non-runners and dead heats, when this bet might be considered, and the common pitfalls to avoid.
As always, set a clear budget before you start and only stake what fits your circumstances.
What Is A Lucky 31 Bet In Horse Racing?
A Lucky 31 is a multiple bet built from five selections in different races. It combines every possible way those selections can win, so the bet contains 31 separate lines in total.
These lines cover singles, doubles, trebles, fourfolds, and a fivefold accumulator. Because singles are included, a return is possible even if only one selection wins. That is different from a straight accumulator, where all picks must win for any payout.
Bear in mind the overall stake is spread across all 31 lines, so the total outlay can be higher than placing one or two simple bets. Think of it as paying for broad coverage rather than relying on one result. So how is it built in practice?
How Is A Lucky 31 Structured?
A Lucky 31 bet is made up of 31 separate bets involving five different selections in separate horse races. Each part of the bet covers a different way for those selections to win together or on their own. Below is a breakdown of the types of bets included in a Lucky 31.
Singles: Five Single Bets
A single is one horse in one race. In a Lucky 31 there is one single on each of the five selections, totalling five singles. Any winning single returns based on its odds.
Doubles: Ten Double Bets
A double combines two selections, and both must win for a return on that line. With five selections there are ten possible doubles.
Trebles: Ten Treble Bets
A treble links three selections in one line, and all three must win. There are ten different trebles in a five-selection mix.
Fourfolds: Five Fourfold Bets
A fourfold contains four selections, all of which must win. With five picks available, there are five possible fourfolds.
Fivefold: One Fivefold Bet
The fivefold accumulator uses all five selections in a single line. All five must be successful.
Altogether, that makes 31 lines. Since the unit stake is placed on each line, the overall outlay is the unit stake multiplied by 31. With the structure clear, the next question is cost.
How Much Does A Lucky 31 Cost?
The cost depends on the unit stake. Because a Lucky 31 has 31 lines, the total outlay is the unit stake multiplied by 31.
For example, a £1 unit stake costs £31 in total. A 50p unit stake costs £15.50. The calculation is always 31 times the amount placed on each line.
Many bettors also consider an each way Lucky 31. This places the same set of 31 lines on both the win and the place parts, so it becomes 62 lines in total and the outlay doubles. Place terms, such as 1/5 or 1/4 of the win odds and the number of places paid, depend on the race and the bookmaker’s rules.
If you are using a fixed budget, check the total cost on the bet slip before confirming. That way there are no surprises when you move on to returns.
How Are Returns Calculated On A Lucky 31?
Each line in a Lucky 31 is settled on its own at the odds taken, then all winning lines are added together to form the total return.
If only one pick wins, the relevant single pays out. If two or more win, the successful singles, doubles and any larger accumulators that include those winners will pay. The mix of winners and the odds taken make a big difference to the final figure.
Some bookmakers offer concessions such as a one-winner bonus or an extra bonus if all five win. These offers vary and are detailed in the bookmaker’s terms.
For each way Lucky 31 bets, the win part and the place part are settled separately, then combined. The place part is paid at the stated place fraction and number of places for each race. If you want to see potential outcomes before placing the bet, an online calculator or the bet slip’s estimator will do the sums for you. To make this less abstract, let us look at some numbers.
Worked Example Showing Stakes And Returns
To show how a Lucky 31 works, here is a simple example using five imaginary horses with their own odds, and a stake of £1 per bet.
Suppose a player picks:
Horse A at 3/1
Horse B at 2/1
Horse C at 4/1
Horse D at 5/2
Horse E at 6/1
With a £1 unit stake, the total cost will be £31, as there are 31 lines.
If only Horse A wins, only the single on Horse A pays out. The return would be £1 at 3/1, which is £3 winnings plus the £1 stake, totalling £4 + £1 = £5.
If Horse A and Horse B both win, then both singles pay out, plus the double on A and B:
Horse A single: £5
Horse B single: £3 (£1 at 2/1 returns £2 + £1 stake)
Double A&B: £12 (£1 at combined fractional odds of 11/1 returns £11 + £1 stake)
Total return: £5 + £3 + £12 = £20
If more horses win, the relevant trebles, fourfolds and the fivefold add to the total. The exact figure depends on how many selections win and at what odds. With results in hand, there is another angle to consider: what if not all runners actually line up, or if the finish is shared?
How Do Non-Runners And Dead Heats Affect A Lucky 31?
A non-runner is a horse that does not take part after bets are placed. When a selection is a non-runner, lines that include it are adjusted to the next smallest bet on the remaining runners. For example, a double with a non-runner becomes a single on the other horse, and a treble becomes a double on the two that did run. Singles on the non-runner are usually void and stakes returned.
Dead heats happen when two or more horses share a finishing position. In that case, the return is reduced to reflect the tie. If two horses dead heat for first, the stake on affected lines is split in half and each half is settled at the full odds. The same approach applies if more than two horses finish level, with the stake divided by the number of horses sharing that place.
Settlement terms can vary slightly by bookmaker, so it is worth checking the rules shown on the bet slip. With those mechanics in mind, when might a Lucky 31 be worth considering?
When Should You Use A Lucky 31 In Horse Racing?
A Lucky 31 suits someone who has views on five separate races and wants broader coverage than a straight accumulator. Because singles are included, there is still a return if only one selection wins, while multiple winners can build returns through doubles and upwards.
It can be considered on a card with several competitive races, where prices on your picks offer a fair balance between risk and potential return. Some bettors like this approach on bigger race days when there are five selections they are happy to support on their own as singles, with the added hope that more than one might oblige and boost the overall payout.
Keep an eye on total cost, especially if you are thinking about an each way version, as the number of lines doubles. Check the figures before you place the bet so the staking matches your plan. Now, a few avoidable traps.
Common Mistakes To Avoid With A Lucky 31
A frequent mistake is overlooking the total cost. The overall outlay is the unit stake multiplied by 31, or by 62 for an each way version. Without checking the slip, it is easy to stake more than intended.
Another pitfall is forcing five selections for the sake of it. If one or two are weak picks, they can drag down the chance of landing helpful doubles or trebles. Choose runners you would be comfortable backing as singles first.
Confusion can also arise if the settlement rules are not understood in advance, particularly around non-runners and dead heats. Reading the rules, including any bookmaker concessions for one winner or all winners, keeps expectations realistic.
If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help for anyone who needs it.
Used thoughtfully, a Lucky 31 is a clear, flexible way to cover five horse racing selections within a single, structured bet.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.