Trebles Bet Explained

A trebles bet is, at its most basic, three selections. However, you can also do trebles from more than three selections, making it a powerful weapon for a seasoned horse racing punter. 

Trebles can be created from any number of selections, but remember, the more selections, the more the stake will be. We’ll have more on that later. 

Read on for all the help you need in types of treble bets, strategies, pluses and minuses for the bet type, and answering the most frequently asked questions. 

What is a Treble Bet?

So, what does trebles mean in racing? Well, it’s any three selections in a single line. The important thing to remember is that to gain a return, all three selections must be successful.

If you have looked over a racecard and found three horses you strongly fancy, then a treble is a great way to put them together. 

A treble bet can be as simple as this: a £5 treble would return £120 if they all win. 

2.00pm Ascot – I’m A Horse @ 3/1

2.30pm Ascot – So Am I @ 1/1

3.00pm Ascot – Me As Well @ 2/1

Types of Treble Bets

You can place both win and each-way trebles. A win requires all to win, while each-way is split in two. So it’s a treble for all three to win and for all three to place. Two winners and a second on an each-way treble will only pay the place part.

A trebles bet isn’t limited to three selections. For example, if you want to place a trebles bet with four horses, there are four permutations, from eight horses, 56 trebles in total.  

Pick out the horses you want to bet on, find the trebles box on the bet slip and add your stake, plus tick the relevant box if you want it each way. Placing trebles are that simple! 

Strategies for Placing Treble Bets

Form study is the best way to produce successful treble bets. Look for horses with solid form figures – think 1st, 2nd and 3rd rather than 8th and 9th and those with ideal conditions. Look for the C&D symbol on your form guide at quirky tracks like Brighton or Epsom, as course-winning form can be a huge plus. 

One of the most successful recent trebles came in August 2016 at Roscommon. Charles Byrnes sent three runners to the track that day, all heavily supported to win, and win they did. From a top-priced treble in the morning of 3,314/1, the treble paid just 42/1 at SP, landing a massively successful trebles bet in style.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Treble Bets

Placing the right selections in the correct combinations can make trebles an excellent way of landing a decent return to a modest stake. A short-priced single is not attractive for most punters, so adding other picks allows horses at lesser odds to be utilised. 

With so much racing on, it is generally easy enough to find three horses with a strong chance, so they are easy bets to place and simple to understand. 

With three selections to all get right, a treble is not an easy bet to get up. While it’s true that the more selections in a multiple bet, the more the chance of a big return, it’s also true that it is more challenging to land. 

Backing shorter-priced horses will reduce some risks when it comes to placing a treble bet and ensuring that you have done your form study beforehand. But always remember to gamble responsibly.