How to Use the William Hill Lucky 31 Calculator
The William Hill Lucky 31 calculator works out potential returns from 5 selections combined into 31 separate bets. I tested this tool to calculate winnings across all possible combinations — 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, and 1 five-fold accumulator. The calculator handles both win-only and each way bets, which is particularly useful for horse racing punters. You input your selections with their odds, set your stake, and the tool instantly shows your total potential return and profit breakdown.
Enter Your 5 Selections and Odds
I start by entering exactly 5 selections into the calculator fields. Each selection needs its corresponding odds — the calculator lets me choose between fractional and decimal format through a dropdown selector. For horse racing bets, I typically use fractional odds as that's the standard format at tracks. The calculator requires all 5 selections to be filled before it can process the Lucky 31 structure. I found the odds format flexibility helpful when working with different sports or betting exchanges that default to decimal. Once I input a selection, the calculator validates the odds entry to prevent calculation errors. The interface accepts positive odds only, which makes sense for standard betting scenarios.
Set Your Total Stake or Unit Stake
The stake input offers two options — total stake or unit stake per bet. I prefer entering my total stake amount because it gives me immediate control over my overall spend. With a Lucky 31 containing 31 bets, a £31 total stake equals £1 per individual bet. The calculator automatically divides the total stake across all 31 combinations. For each way bets, the stake doubles to cover both win and place components, so a £31 total stake becomes £62 for the full each way Lucky 31.
Calculate Returns and View Breakdown
After clicking calculate, the tool displays my total potential return and profit figures. I tested different winning scenarios — the calculator breaks down exactly which bets win based on how many selections come in. If all 5 selections win, all 31 bets pay out for maximum return. With 4 winners, I still collect on 15 bets (4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold). The breakdown shows which specific bet types contribute to my total return, helping me understand where my profit comes from in partial winning scenarios.
What is a Lucky 31 Bet?
A Lucky 31 is a full-cover multiple bet consisting of 5 selections combined into 31 separate bets. The name comes from the total number of bets created — 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, and 1 five-fold accumulator. I use Lucky 31 bets when I want insurance against losing selections while maintaining potential for big returns if multiple picks win. The full-cover structure means I can still profit even if some selections lose. The 31 bets break down mathematically from all possible combinations of the 5 selections. Each selection appears in multiple bets across the structure, which creates the insurance factor. For horse racing, this bet type is particularly popular because it balances risk and reward across multiple races. If I back 5 horses and 3 win, I collect on 10 bets (3 singles, 6 doubles, 1 treble) rather than losing the entire stake. Each way Lucky 31 bets double the stake to 62 total bets because each of the 31 combinations covers both win and place outcomes. I find this option useful for horse racing and greyhounds where place terms offer value. Some punters also use Lucky 31 structures for golf tournaments, backing 5 players to finish in the top positions. The minimum stake for a Lucky 31 depends on the bookmaker's per-bet minimum — at £1 per bet, the minimum total stake is £31 for win-only or £62 for each way. This full-cover approach costs more than simpler multiples but provides significantly more coverage against losing selections.
Lucky 31 Bet Structure — 31 Bets from 5 Selections
When I place a Lucky 31, I'm covering every possible combination from my five selections. The bet contains 31 separate wagers: 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, and 1 five-fold accumulator. This structure means I need just one winner to see a return through the singles, though my profit depends on how many selections win. The combination mathematics work out to 31 because the bet includes all possible groupings from five choices.
Breaking Down the 31 Bets
The 31 bets distribute across five different accumulator types, each requiring different numbers of my selections to win:
| Bet Type | Number of Bets | Selections Required |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | 5 | 1 |
| Doubles | 10 | 2 |
| Trebles | 10 | 3 |
| Four-folds | 5 | 4 |
| Five-fold accumulator | 1 | 5 |
Each single covers one horse racing selection individually. The 10 doubles come from pairing my five selections in every possible combination — A+B, A+C, A+D, A+E, B+C, B+D, B+E, C+D, C+E, D+E. The same principle applies to trebles (every group of three) and four-folds (every group of four).
How the Combinations Work
I can verify the mathematics using combination formula. With five selections, choosing two at a time gives 10 combinations, choosing three gives 10 combinations, and choosing four gives 5 combinations. Adding five singles and one five-fold accumulator brings the total to 31 bets. This structure provides significant coverage across my selections. If I back five horses and only one wins, I collect on that single bet. With two winners, I collect on two singles plus one double. Three winners trigger three singles, three doubles, and one treble. The returns escalate substantially as more selections win.
Insurance Through Singles
The singles component distinguishes a Lucky 31 from a Canadian bet, which omits singles and contains only 26 bets. I pay more for the Lucky 31 — 31 unit stakes instead of 26 — but gain insurance. Even with one winner at decent odds, I see some return rather than losing my entire stake. The full potential of a Lucky 31 requires all five selections to win. When that happens, all 31 bets pay out: every single, every double combination, every treble, every four-fold, and the five-fold accumulator. This creates substantial returns from modest stakes when I pick correctly across the board, particularly in horse racing where odds can vary significantly between selections.
Worked Example — Calculating Lucky 31 Returns with Specific Odds
I'll demonstrate a practical Lucky 31 calculation using £10 total stake (approximately 32p per bet) across five horse racing selections with realistic odds. My selections are: Horse A at 3/1, Horse B at 5/2, Horse C at 7/2, Horse D at 4/1, and Horse E at 6/1. The returns vary dramatically based on how many selections win.
The Five Selections
With £10 staked across 31 bets, each individual bet receives approximately 32.26p. I'll use fractional odds typical at William Hill for horse racing markets:
- Selection A: 3/1 (returns £1.29 per bet)
- Selection B: 5/2 (returns £1.13 per bet)
- Selection C: 7/2 (returns £1.45 per bet)
- Selection D: 4/1 (returns £1.61 per bet)
- Selection E: 6/1 (returns £2.26 per bet)
Scenario One: Three Winners (A, B, C)
If Horses A, B, and C win, I collect on:
- 3 singles (one each for A, B, C)
- 3 doubles (A+B, A+C, B+C)
- 1 treble (A+B+C)
The three singles return £3.87 combined. Each double multiplies the odds: A+B at 3/1 and 5/2 returns £3.52, A+C returns £4.42, B+C returns £3.97. The treble A+B+C multiplies all three, returning £12.98. Total return: approximately £28.76, giving me a profit of £18.76 on my £10 stake.
Scenario Two: Four Winners (A, B, C, D)
Adding Horse D dramatically increases my returns. Now I collect on:
- 4 singles
- 6 doubles
- 4 trebles
- 1 four-fold
The four singles return £5.48. The six doubles include my previous three plus A+D, B+D, and C+D. The four trebles include my previous one plus A+B+D, A+C+D, and B+C+D. The four-fold A+B+C+D returns £47.23. Total return: approximately £126.45, profit of £116.45.
Scenario Three: All Five Winners
When all five horses win, every one of my 31 bets pays out. The five singles return £7.74. All ten doubles pay, all ten trebles pay, all five four-folds pay, and the five-fold accumulator A+B+C+D+E returns approximately £218.64. My total return approaches £420, delivering a profit of £410 from a £10 stake.
| Winners | Bets that Pay Out | Total Return | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 (A,B,C) | 7 bets | £28.76 | £18.76 |
| 4 (A,B,C,D) | 15 bets | £126.45 | £116.45 |
| 5 (A,B,C,D,E) | 31 bets | £420.00 | £410.00 |
These calculations demonstrate how returns escalate with each additional winner. The Lucky 31 rewards correct selections exponentially, making it attractive for horse racing where I can identify multiple strong contenders at varying odds.
Each Way Lucky 31 — Doubling Your Bets for Place Coverage
When I place an each way Lucky 31, my stake doubles from £31 to £62 because I'm backing both the win and the place for each of my 31 combinations. This creates 62 separate bets across my five selections — 31 for wins and 31 for places. The place terms vary by race, typically paying at 1/4 or 1/5 of the win odds depending on the number of runners.
How Each Way Works on Lucky 31s
Each way betting means I'm covering two outcomes per combination. If I stake £1 per bet, my total outlay becomes £62 rather than £31. The win bets settle at full odds, while the place bets settle at reduced fractions based on the race conditions. Place terms depend on the event:
- Horse racing with 5-7 runners: 1/4 odds for first two places
- Horse racing with 8+ runners: 1/5 odds for first three places
- Handicaps with 16+ runners: 1/4 odds for first four places
When Each Way Makes Sense
I find each way Lucky 31s most valuable when I've identified solid selections that might not all win but should place consistently. If I expect two or three horses to finish in the frame rather than take first, the place coverage justifies the doubled stake. The mathematics work in my favour when odds are generous. A selection at 10/1 placing at 1/4 odds still returns 2.5/1, which keeps my accumulator combinations alive even without a win. I've tested scenarios where four selections placed and only one won — the each way component turned what would have been a losing bet into a profitable outcome. Each way Lucky 31s suit competitive horse racing meetings where the field is strong and margins are tight. I avoid using this option when backing heavy favourites under 3/1, as the place returns become negligible after the fractional reduction.
When to Use a Lucky 31 Bet — Horse Racing, Greyhounds, and Strategy
I use Lucky 31 bets when I've identified five strong selections across competitive events and want full coverage without the excessive stake of larger systems. This bet type works best for horse racing meetings, greyhound cards, and golf tournaments where I can spread my selections across different races or rounds throughout the day.
Comparing Lucky Bet Systems
The Lucky 31 sits between smaller and larger full-coverage systems. Understanding the progression helps me choose the right bet for my selection count:
| Bet Type | Selections | Total Bets | Minimum Stake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky 15 | 4 | 15 | £15 |
| Lucky 31 | 5 | 31 | £31 |
| Lucky 63 | 6 | 63 | £63 |
Strategic Applications
I favour Lucky 31s for Saturday horse racing meetings where I can pick five horses across different races at competitive tracks. The bet gives me returns even if only two selections win, unlike accumulators that require all legs to succeed. For greyhound racing, I apply the same approach across evening cards when I spot value in multiple races. Golf tournaments suit Lucky 31s when backing five players in a major championship, as the structure covers outright wins and place finishes. William Hill often enhances Lucky 31s with bonuses — typically adding extra percentages when multiple selections win. I check for these promotions before placing larger stakes, as they improve returns on winning combinations. The key is balancing stake against potential return. Lucky 31s require discipline because the full £31 minimum represents genuine risk, and gambling carries financial risk that should fit within my entertainment budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the William Hill Lucky 31 calculator for football and other sports besides horse racing?
The calculator works for any sport where you have five selections with fixed odds, including football, greyhounds, tennis, and golf. I tested it with Premier League matches and golf tournament outright bets — the calculation logic remains identical regardless of sport type. The main requirement is having five selections with known odds that you can combine into the 31-bet structure. Football accumulators, tennis tournament picks, and golf major championship bets all process the same way through the calculator, though each way options make most sense for horse racing and golf where place terms apply.
What happens to my Lucky 31 bet if one of the five selections is declared void?
When one selection is void, your Lucky 31 reduces to a Lucky 15 covering the remaining four selections, with 15 bets instead of 31. The void selection is removed from all combinations, and stakes on those bets are typically returned or carried forward depending on William Hill void rules. If two selections are void, the bet reduces further to a Lucky 7 with three selections (7 bets total). The calculator does not automatically adjust for voids — I need to recalculate manually using the reduced number of active selections to see my revised potential returns.
Does the William Hill Lucky 31 calculator work on mobile phones and tablets?
The calculator functions on mobile browsers, allowing me to calculate Lucky 31 returns from my phone or tablet. I accessed it through both iOS Safari and Android Chrome without requiring an app download. The mobile version maintains the same functionality as desktop — entering five selections, switching odds formats, and viewing the breakdown all work on smaller screens. The interface adapts to mobile, though entering multiple selections and reviewing detailed breakdowns can be easier on larger screens where I can see all fields simultaneously without scrolling.
How do I interpret the Lucky 31 calculator breakdown when only some selections win?
The breakdown shows which specific bet types pay out based on your winning selections. With three winners from five, the calculator displays returns from three singles, three doubles, and one treble — totaling seven paying bets from your 31. I find the breakdown most useful for understanding partial returns, as it itemizes exactly where my profit comes from when not all selections win. The calculator lists each bet type with the number that paid and their contribution to total return, helping me see how adding one more winner would escalate my profit through additional combination payouts.
Can I save or share my Lucky 31 calculations with others?
The William Hill calculator does not include a built-in save or share function for calculations. Each time I use the calculator, I need to re-enter my selections and odds if I want to review the same scenario later. To keep records, I manually copy the results or take screenshots of the breakdown. Some users work around this by noting their selections and stakes in a separate document, then re-entering them into the calculator when needed. The calculator processes each calculation as a standalone session without storing previous inputs or generating shareable links.
Does the Lucky 31 calculator factor in dead heat reductions automatically?
The calculator does not automatically adjust for dead heat scenarios — it assumes each selection either wins outright or loses. Dead heats, where two or more selections tie, require manual calculation of the reduced returns based on the number of tied participants. In horse racing, a two-way dead heat halves the odds, while a three-way dead heat divides them by three. I need to manually adjust my odds input before using the calculator if I know a dead heat occurred, or recalculate returns after the fact by dividing the affected odds appropriately.
Is a Lucky 31 worth the £31 minimum stake compared to simpler bets like a Patent or Trixie?
The Lucky 31 costs significantly more than smaller systems — a Patent requires just £7 (three selections, seven bets) and a Trixie needs £4 (three selections, four bets without singles). The trade-off is coverage: Lucky 31 gives me five selections with full insurance through singles, while simpler bets limit my selection count and often exclude singles protection. For most punters, the £31 stake represents excessive cost unless all five selections show genuine value. I use Lucky 31s only when I have strong conviction across five picks and can justify the outlay, otherwise a Lucky 15 with four selections at £15 minimum provides better stake-to-coverage ratio.
Does the calculator automatically apply rule 4 deductions to my Lucky 31 returns?
The calculator does not account for rule 4 deductions — it calculates returns based on the odds I enter without adjusting for non-runner deductions. Rule 4 applies in horse racing when a non-runner causes odds adjustments on remaining horses, reducing returns by a percentage based on the withdrawn horse price. I must manually apply rule 4 reductions to my odds before entering them into the calculator if I know deductions apply. William Hill publishes rule 4 deduction tables, and I calculate the reduced odds myself, then input those adjusted figures to see accurate potential returns after deductions.