If you’ve ever scanned a bet slip and seen terms like ‘4 fold’ or ‘accumulator’, it can feel a bit unclear at first. That is especially true if you usually place singles and have not tried combining selections before.
A 4 fold is simply one of the most common types of accumulator. There are a few moving parts, but once you see how the pieces link together, the whole idea makes sense.
This guide breaks down what a 4 fold bet is, how it fits into the wider world of accumulators, how returns are worked out, and what happens if one of your choices does not win.
What Is a 4 Fold Bet in Simple Terms?
A 4 fold bet is a single wager that links four separate selections, often from different events. Every one of the four needs to win for the overall bet to be successful. If even one pick does not come in, the entire bet is settled as a loss.
Because a 4 fold is a type of accumulator, each result feeds into the next through the bet. For example, you might select four football teams to win in different matches. If all four win, the 4 fold pays out. If three win and one loses, there is no return.
It is not limited to football. You could choose tennis matches, horse races or any events available with your bookmaker. The key point is that you have exactly four selections tied together in one bet.
If you want to see where a 4 fold sits among other multiples, it helps to look briefly at how accumulators work in general.
How Do Accumulator Bets Work?
An accumulator bet, often called an “acca” in the UK, is a single bet that brings together two or more selections from different events. All the picks need to win for the accumulator to succeed.
You place one stake at the start. If your first selection wins, the full return, including your stake, is automatically used on the next selection. This continues through each event in the acca until the last result is settled. The outcome of each leg changes the value that moves on to the next one.
To illustrate, imagine four football matches spread across a weekend. If the first team wins, the return from that match becomes the stake for the second. The same happens for the third and fourth. If at any point a selection loses, the accumulator stops there and no further returns are generated.
The overall odds for an accumulator are calculated by multiplying together the odds of the individual selections. This can produce higher potential returns compared to backing a single outcome, but it also means the bet only pays if every leg wins. Accumulators can be built from many sports, and the number of selections can vary from a double through to larger multiples such as trebles and four folds.
Now that the structure is clear, the next step is understanding how a 4 fold’s return is worked out in practice.
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How Are 4 Fold Bets Calculated?
A 4 fold is calculated by multiplying the odds of all four selections together, with any return from one selection rolling into the next. In other words, the bet works in sequence, carrying the value through each leg.
Suppose you use decimal odds and place £5 on four separate events with odds of 2.00, 1.50, 3.00 and 2.50. The running totals would look like this:
£5 × 2.00 = £10
£10 × 1.50 = £15
£15 × 3.00 = £45
£45 × 2.50 = £112.50
That final figure is what would be returned if all four selections win. If any selection loses, there is no payout.
Most bookmakers provide an online calculator that can show the potential return before you place a bet. Understanding the simple multiplication behind it helps you see how the numbers build from one leg to the next.
If you are wondering what happens when one pick slips up, the next section explains how that affects settlement.
What Happens If One Selection in a 4 Fold Loses?
If one of your four selections loses, the 4 fold is settled as a loss. The linked nature of the bet means there is no return unless every selection wins.
Some bookmakers offer features such as acca insurance on certain multiples, which may refund a stake or part of it if exactly one selection loses. This is not standard on every 4 fold and usually comes with specific terms, such as minimum odds or eligible sports. If a promotion is mentioned, check the rules in the offer details to see how it applies.
The essential point remains the same. A normal 4 fold pays only when all four legs win. If they do, the next question is when the funds arrive in your account.
When Do 4 Fold Bets Pay Out?
A 4 fold pays out once all four selections have been officially settled as winners. Payment will not be processed until the final event has finished and the result is confirmed.
If your selections take place at different times or on different days, you may need to wait until the last result is settled. Many bookmakers update bet histories quickly after each event, so you can track progress as the acca moves from one leg to the next.
If one or more selections do not win, the bet is settled as a loss and there is no payout. When all four do win, the return is calculated from the combined odds and your original stake, and it appears in your account once the last result is confirmed.
