Understanding the Liverpool Round‑The‑Clock (RTC) Bet

In the intricate world of sports betting, a Liverpool Round‑The‑Clock (LRTC or Liverpool RTC) bet stands as one of the more complex—and obscure—wager types you might encounter. It blends a variety of traditional bet formats into one single, high-variance bet. Essentially, it’s a multi‑leg bet where you select three outcomes (often across related or unrelated events) that are combined into 13 separate bets: a Trixie, a Roundabout, and three “Double Stakes About” (DSA) combinations.

Components of the LRTC Bet

1. Trixie (4 bets): A trio of selections combined into three doubles + one treble.
2. Roundabout (3 bets): Each leg is treated as a single, but if one leg wins, the stake and profit roll onto a double of the other two selections in sequence.
3. Double Stakes About (DSA) (6 bets): A series of “if‑cash” doubles that cover all pairings of your three selections, with the stakes doubled.

This construction gives 13 total bets. For instance, a £10 LRTC costs £130 in total stake: 10 bets × £1 (or scaled proportionally) across the different combinations.

How It Performs Compared to Similar Bets

Let’s compare an Liverpool RTC bet to a Patent bet, which also covers singles, doubles, and a treble but in a simpler structure:

Bet Type	Total Stake	Returns with 1 Win	Returns with 2 Wins	Returns with 3 Wins
LRTC (at 4/1 odds)	£130	£90 (–£40)	£630 (+£500)	£4,370 (+£4,240)
Patent (same odds & stake)	£130	— (less)	slightly higher	slightly lower than LRTC

The LRTC can outperform in certain scenarios—particularly with two or three winners at higher odds—but its returns are highly dependent on price levels and outcomes.

Advantages and Drawbacks

Advantages

• Partial success isn’t total failure: Even with just one winning selection, you get some return—unlike a straight treble, where one failure means zero.
• High ROI potential on multiple hits: Especially with odds of 8/1 or above, a clean sweep can yield enormous returns (e.g., over £16,000 on a £130 stake).

Drawbacks

• Costly structure: The bet requires a much larger outlay than simpler multiples, as your stake is multiplied across 13 bets.
• Complexity and scarcity: It’s rarely available at bookmakers, and its convoluted nature makes it less accessible or appealing to casual bettors.
• Risk of higher losses: If only two selections win at low odds, the returns may barely cover the stakes.

When Might a Bettor Choose an LRTC?

The LRTC may appeal to seasoned punters or risk‑tolerant bettors who:

• Prefer multi‑leg bets but want more upside than a Patent.
• Are aiming for high-reward scenarios and are comfortable with complex bet mechanics.
• Understand the “if‑cash” structure and how stakes roll over across legs.

However, even for these bettors, simpler alternatives (like a Patent or traditional trebles) often provide similar potential with greater clarity and lower barrier.

Why the Name “Liverpool” RTC?

The origins of the term “Liverpool Round‑The‑Clock” are murky. There’s speculation that the concept was first offered in Betfred shops—possibly named in honor of the English city—or perhaps created by a Merseyside-based bookmaker. No definitive history exists beyond this conjecture.

Verdict: Who Is the LRTC Bet For?

• Casual bettors: Best avoid—it’s too expensive and complicated.
• Strategic bettors: May consider when seeking a middle ground between simplicity and high reward, but only if you truly understand the structure.
• Value hunters: If you find unusually high odds across three picks and the potential payout excites you, the LRTC can offer explosive returns—while still giving some reward for partial success.

Final Thoughts

The Liverpool RTC Bet is a betting curiosity—rich in structure, high in variance, and low in availability. It fuses the mechanics of a Trixie, Roundabout, and multiple DSAs into a single wager that can return big—but only if you’re comfortable with its complexity and upfront cost.

For most bettors, simpler bets like singles, doubles, trebles, or even a Patent offer better clarity and similar upside with far less risk and technicality. But if you enjoy the deep complexity of odds‑casting and can stomach heavier stakes for that possibility of outsized return—then the Liverpool RTC might just be worth a spin.