What Is a Goliath Bet? Meaning, Cost and Worked Examples

What is a Goliath bet? In fact, it is a system bet that turns eight selections into 247 separate bets. It is the largest standard full-cover bet in football and horse racing. This guide explains the 247 bets, the cost, and worked examples with ₦1,000 stakes. In addition, for more guides, visit the Betting Academy.

Last updated: November 2026

Quick Answer

• A Goliath uses 8 selections and creates 247 bets: 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 four-folds, 56 five-folds, 28 six-folds, 8 seven-folds and 1 eight-fold.
• In short, there are no singles, so at least 2 winners are needed for any return.
• Therefore, total cost equals the unit stake times 247.
• For example, ₦1,000 per bet costs ₦247,000 in total.
• In fact, it is the most expensive standard system bet.

What is a Goliath bet: the 247 bets explained

A Goliath starts with eight selections, called A to H. In fact, the slip then builds every possible multiple from those picks, from doubles to the eight-fold.

Bet type	Number of bets
Doubles	28
Trebles	56
Four-folds	70
Five-folds	56
Six-folds	28
Seven-folds	8
Eight-fold accumulator	1
Total	247

In practice, each of the 247 bets settles on its own. Overall, winning lines pay out, losing lines pay nothing, and the returns are added together. In addition, the counts come from simple maths. For example, the doubles are the ways to pick 2 from 8: 28.

Above all, remember that a Goliath has no singles. Therefore, one winner alone pays nothing at all: if only one pick wins, all 247 bets lose. However, two winners give you one winning double.

All eight selections must come from different events. In other words, you cannot put two picks from the same match or the same race into one Goliath.

What is a Goliath bet: what it costs

The stake you enter is the unit stake: the amount on EACH of the 247 bets. Therefore, the total cost equals the unit stake times 247.

Unit stake (per bet)	Total cost
₦10	₦2,470
₦50	₦12,350
₦100	₦24,700
₦500	₦123,500
₦1,000	₦247,000

In fact, the ₦1,000 row says it plainly: a ₦1,000 Goliath costs ₦247,000. As a result, most people who try a Goliath use a small unit stake, such as ₦10 or ₦100 per bet.

Above all, betting in Nigeria is for adults aged 18 and over only. Regulation is state-led since the Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 on 22 November 2024. The National Lottery Regulatory Commission framework applies only in the Federal Capital Territory. In addition, expect identity checks with your BVN (11 digits) and NIN.

How to place a Goliath bet

Overall, placing one is simple. Firstly, pick eight selections from eight different events. Secondly, add all eight to your bet slip. Thirdly, open the multiples section and select Goliath.

Next, enter your unit stake: ₦100 on each of the 247 bets. Moreover, read the total stake on the slip. In fact, this step catches people out: ₦100 per bet shows as ₦24,700. Finally, check the eight selections once more and confirm only when you are happy with the total.

What is a Goliath bet: worked examples

The examples below use a ₦1,000 unit stake, so each total stake is ₦247,000. In short, only lines where every pick wins pay out, so profit is the return minus the ₦247,000 stake.

Example 1: all eight win at 2.00

Here every pick wins at 2.00, so all 247 lines pay out. Doubles ₦112,000; trebles ₦448,000; four-folds ₦1,120,000; five-folds ₦1,792,000; six-folds ₦1,792,000; seven-folds ₦1,024,000; eight-fold ₦256,000. As a result, the total return is ₦6,544,000 and the profit is ₦6,297,000.

Example 2: all eight win at 3.00

Here every pick wins at 3.00, so the returns are far larger. Doubles ₦252,000; trebles ₦1,512,000; four-folds ₦5,670,000; five-folds ₦13,608,000; six-folds ₦20,412,000; seven-folds ₦17,496,000; eight-fold ₦6,561,000. As a result, the total return is ₦65,511,000 and the profit is ₦65,264,000.

Example 3: only two winners at 2.50

Here only two picks win, both at 2.50, so only one line pays out: their double. That double returns ₦1,000 × 2.50 × 2.50 = ₦6,250, which is a loss of ₦240,750 against the ₦247,000 stake.

Example 4: three winners at 2.00

Here three picks win at 2.00 and five lose. The three winners form 3 doubles at ₦4,000 each (₦12,000) plus 1 treble at ₦8,000, so the total return is ₦20,000: a loss of ₦227,000.

Example 5: seven winners at 2.00

Here seven picks win at 2.00 and one loses, so every line built from the seven winners pays out. Doubles ₦84,000; trebles ₦280,000; four-folds ₦560,000; five-folds ₦672,000; six-folds ₦448,000; seven-fold ₦128,000. As a result, the return is ₦2,172,000 and the profit is ₦1,925,000.

Example 6: the realistic way to play it at ₦100 a bet

Here the unit stake is ₦100, so the total stake is ₦24,700: the realistic way to play a Goliath for most bettors. If all eight picks win at 2.00, the return is ₦654,400, one tenth of the ₦6,544,000 in Example 1, so the profit is ₦629,700.

Example	Winners	Odds	Return	Profit or loss
1: All eight win	8 of 8	2.00	₦6,544,000	+₦6,297,000
2: All eight win	8 of 8	3.00	₦65,511,000	+₦65,264,000
3: Only two win	2 of 8	2.50	₦6,250	−₦240,750
4: Three win	3 of 8	2.00	₦20,000	−₦227,000
5: Seven win	7 of 8	2.00	₦2,172,000	+₦1,925,000
6: All eight win, ₦100 a bet	8 of 8	2.00	₦654,400	+₦629,700

Each-way Goliath: 494 bets

An each-way Goliath doubles everything: each of the 247 lines splits into win and place parts, so the bet holds 494 lines. Therefore, the total cost is the unit stake times 494: ₦1,000 each-way costs ₦494,000, and ₦100 each-way costs ₦49,400.

In general, each-way Goliaths suit horse racing most, where a horse can pay for a place without winning. Moreover, the place part pays if the horse finishes in the places, often at a fraction of win odds. However, place returns rarely cover a ₦494,000 outlay on their own.

What is a Goliath bet: Goliath vs Heinz and Super Heinz

A Goliath is one of three big full-cover bets. In short, all three hold every double and larger multiple, with no singles, so each needs at least two winners for a return.

System	Selections	Total bets	Cost at ₦1,000 a bet
Heinz	6	57	₦57,000
Super Heinz	7	120	₦120,000
Goliath	8	247	₦247,000

In practice, the smaller systems are far kinder when only a few picks win. For example, four winners at 2.00 return ₦72,000 at a ₦1,000 unit stake in any of the three systems. In fact, that is a ₦15,000 profit on a Heinz, a ₦48,000 loss on a Super Heinz, and a ₦175,000 loss on a Goliath. As a result, the same four winners can be a win or a heavy loss, based only on the system you picked.

For example, the Yankee guide covers 4 selections in 11 bets, the Lucky 15 guide 4 in 15, and the Patent guide 3 in 7. In other words, start small and move up only when you have more picks and a bigger budget.

When a Goliath bet makes sense

So what is a Goliath bet for, in the end? In short, it suits very few bettors. Firstly, it suits a punter with eight strong picks across a big weekend. Secondly, it suits a punter with a large budget who can fund 247 units without strain. Thirdly, it suits a punter who wants cover for several losers.

In general, a ₦1,000 unit stake does not make sense for most bettors: ₦247,000 is a large sum to risk on one slip, and three winners still lose ₦227,000. Therefore, if you fancy eight picks, try a smaller unit stake first, such as ₦10 or ₦100 a bet. However, if you fancy only six or seven picks, a Heinz or a Super Heinz costs far less.

What is a Goliath bet: FAQs

What is a Goliath bet in simple terms?

In short, it is one slip that holds 247 smaller bets on eight picks, covering every double, treble and larger multiple, with no singles. Therefore, you need at least two winners to get any money back.

How much does a Goliath bet cost?

In fact, the cost is the unit stake times 247: ₦100 a bet costs ₦24,700 and ₦1,000 a bet costs ₦247,000.

How many winners do you need for a return?

In short, you need at least two winners for a return, since there are no singles. However, a return is not a profit: two or three winners still lose money at a ₦1,000 unit stake.

Can you place a Goliath bet each way?

Yes, it doubles the bet to 494 lines, so a ₦1,000 each-way Goliath costs ₦494,000.

Is a Goliath bet a good idea for beginners?

In general, no. In fact, it is one of the most expensive bets you can place, and 247 lines are hard to track. In addition, beginners are better off with a smaller system, such as a Patent or Yankee.

What happens if one selection is void?

In general, a void selection drops out and the bet settles on the seven picks that remain, as a Super Heinz of 120 bets.

Final word

A Goliath packs 247 bets into one slip, and that scale is both its appeal and its danger. In fact, eight winners can pay very well, as Examples 1 and 2 show. However, the ₦247,000 cost at a ₦1,000 unit stake means most slips lose money, even with three or four winners. In short, what is a Goliath bet worth to most bettors? Therefore, very little at a large unit stake, and a fun small-stake flutter at ₦10 or ₦100 a bet.

Bet Responsibly: Betting is for adults aged 18 and over only. Treat it as entertainment, not as a way to make money, and only stake what you can afford to lose. If betting stops being fun, take a break and seek help. Read our responsible gambling guide for more support.