Accumulators have been the backbone of football betting for decades, originating with bets like the soccer pools. Online bookmakers took that concept and created accumulators – a form of betting where odds are accumulated across a defined set of results.

Some accumulators have variations where, for example, over a four bet accumulator, you can back A, B, C and D to win individually, all combinations of any two to win, all combinations of any three to win and all four to win. These bets can be expensive since you are essentially making 20 or more bets. However, one winner will produce a return, two winners several winning bets, three winners, all but one bet wins and, of course, with four winners all your bets win – and you can make a huge profit.

The most popular form of accumulator is to place one bet on one set of outcomes. Take tomorrow’s Premier League matches.  Let’s say we like the following outcomes. (selections in bold)

Birmingham (6) Draw (31/10) Arsenal (4/7)

Chelsea (4/9) Draw (15/4) Aston Villa (8)

Hull (6/4) Draw (12/5) Fulham (21/10)

Tottenham (1/4) Draw (5) Portsmouth (16)

West Ham (6/5) Draw (12/5) Stoke (11/4)

Wolverhampton (14/5) Draw (12/5) Everton (11/10)

Bolton (15/2) Draw (15/4) Manchester United (4/9)

Now there are a few selections at good odds there. The accumulated odds range from 200/1 to 225/1 depending on which online bookmakers you bet with. You have to admit they are pretty handsome odds – however, this is football and picking the card is pretty hard to do.

What if you like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to win tomorrow? They are all favourites and pretty short favourites at that.  The accumulated odds are 3/1 – much more attractive than the odds on for each bet. Interestingly, if you add a fourth team, Tottenham, the accumulated odds are almost 4/1. Placing an accumulator with online bookmakers can be a lucrative way to win – so long as you do pick winners.