Reviewed by TipsterCheck Editorial TeamLast checked 29 October 2026MethodologyCorrections
Betting glossary · Bet Types
What is Trixie?
What is Trixie?
How a Trixie works
A Trixie covers three selections across three separate events and splits your stake across four bets: three doubles (selections 1+2, 1+3, and 2+3) and one treble (selections 1+2+3). Because there are four bets, a £1 Trixie costs £4 in total. The key feature is that you need a minimum of two winning selections to see any return at all — one winner alone gives you nothing back.
The structure makes a Trixie a middle ground between a treble and a full Patent (which adds three singles to the same selections, making it seven bets). If all three selections win, all four bets land and returns are maximised. If only two win, only the relevant double pays out. The proportion of your stake recovered in a two-winner scenario depends heavily on the odds of those two selections; short-priced winners may not cover the total stake laid.
Worked example
Suppose you back three football teams to win on a Saturday: Team A at 2/1, Team B at 5/2, and Team C at 3/1. A £1 Trixie costs £4. Your three doubles are A+B, A+C, and B+C; your treble is A+B+C. If all three win, the treble alone at those odds returns a significant multiple of the stake, and all three doubles add further profit on top.
Now suppose only Team A and Team B win. Only the A+B double pays out. At 2/1 and 5/2 in decimal terms (3.0 and 3.5), that double returns £10.50 from a £1 stake on that line — but you staked £4 across all four bets, so your net profit is £6.50. Had only one selection won, you would receive nothing and lose the full £4 stake. This illustrates why odds selection matters greatly in a Trixie.
Why Trixies matter when judging a tipster
When a tipster advises a Trixie, the presentation of results can be misleading if not examined carefully. A tipster might report two winners from three and frame the bet as a partial success, but whether it actually returned a profit depends entirely on the odds achieved. Always check whether the tipster quotes advised odds versus starting price, and whether their stated returns are achievable in practice. Proofing records should record each component bet separately.
The Trixie structure also affects how you evaluate a tipster's strike rate and yield. A service built around combination bets requires a higher strike rate than one based on singles to generate consistent profit, because one losing selection can wipe out two of the four bets in one go. When assessing a tipster's long-term record, look at results over a meaningful sample size and be cautious of services where a handful of all-three-up results flatter the overall return on investment figures.
Example: A £2 Trixie on three horse racing selections costs £8 in total, covering three doubles and one treble, meaning a minimum of two winners is needed before any return is generated.
FAQs
How much does a Trixie cost?
A Trixie comprises four bets, so your unit stake is multiplied by four. A £1 Trixie costs £4, a £2 Trixie costs £8, and so on. Always confirm the total outlay before placing, as costs can rise quickly with larger unit stakes.
What happens if one selection is a non-runner in a Trixie?
Rules vary by bookmaker, but most will reduce the Trixie by treating the non-runner as a void, converting any double involving that selection into a single and the treble into a double. Check your bookmaker's specific terms before placing.
What is the difference between a Trixie and a Patent?
A Patent covers the same three selections but adds three singles to the four Trixie bets, giving seven bets in total. The Patent means even one winner returns something, but the higher number of bets increases the total stake accordingly.
More bet types terms: Accumulator (Acca), Ante-Post Bet, Banker