Combination Bet – Explanation, Strategies & Examples

A Combination Bet is a type of bet in which you combine several selections into one. Unlike a single bet, your betting slip depends on the outcome of multiple matches or events. By multiplying the odds, your potential winnings increase. In football betting, combination bets are particularly popular, as they allow for high payouts with relatively small stakes.

To win your betting slip, all selections in the combination bet must be correct – unlike single bets, which are settled independently. In a combination bet, only the overall result counts.

Combination bets usually start with two selections that you place together on a single betting slip. You can also include long-term bets in a combination bet – for example, a wager on the winner of a league. In this case, your entire betting slip remains active until the end of the season.

Let’s look at a Combination Bet using an example:
You choose two matches for your combination.

• In the first match, you bet on a win for Werder Bremen at odds of 2.4.
• In the second match, you bet on a win for SC Freiburg at odds of 1.8.
• This gives your betting slip total odds of 2.4 x 1.8 = 4.32.

With a stake of €5 x 4.32, your potential payout is €21.60*.
*The payout does not include betting tax, because: MERKUR BETS does not charge any betting tax on your winnings!

Larger versions such as a 3-selection or 10-selection Combination Bet work according to the same principle: every additional match increases both the odds – and the risk.

Certain types of combination bets are easy to manage and offer attractive odds. They are especially popular in football, where they count among the true classics of sports betting.
The most popular variants include:

2-selection Combination Bet: a simple combination of two matches – a good balance between risk and reward
3-selection Combination Bet: three tips on one betting slip – ideal for combinations of favourites
Football Combination Bets: combine several matches from major leagues or international competitions
10-selection Combination Bet: a high-risk option – small stakes can lead to big payouts

These different types show that combination bets can be flexibly adapted to various strategies. Depending on your personal playing style, you can focus either on safety or on high profit potential.

Picture: © iStock/Cristalov

The comparison below shows the differences between these three popular and important types of bets.

Type of Bet	How it Works	Risk	Winning Potential
Single Bet	One selection per betting slip	Low	Depends on the odds
Combination Bet	Several selections combined	High	Multiplied odds – all selections must be correct
System Bet	Combination with safety net	Medium	Partial winnings possible even if some selections lose

While the Single Bet is simple and straightforward, the Combination Bet stands out with higher odds.
The System Bet gives you extra flexibility by cushioning the loss of individual selections.

The following overview summarises the key advantages and disadvantages of combination bets.

Main advantages:

• High odds: By multiplying your selections, you benefit from an increased total odd.
• Low stake, high payout: Even small stakes can lead to big winnings with a bit of luck.
• Excitement: Having several matches on one betting slip makes following the results even more thrilling.

However, there are also disadvantages to keep in mind:

• High risk factor: Just one incorrect selection means losing the entire combination bet.
• Complexity: The more matches you combine, the harder it becomes to keep track of your betting slip.
• Longer duration: If you include long-term bets, your stake may be tied up for weeks or even months.

This comparison shows: a combination bet is ideal if you’re looking for excitement and are consciously willing to take on higher risk.

You can place combination bets both pre-match and live. Pre-match bets offer stable odds, while live combination bets have odds that change depending on the course of the match. This gives you additional opportunities – but also requires quick decision-making.

If you understand the risks and follow a clear strategy, you can benefit from both the excitement and the multiplication of odds. You’ll gain even more flexibility by combining your approach with a system bet. However, remember that responsible play is always essential – even when using strategic combination bets.