Football Pools Permutations Explained

If you are new to football pools, the concept of permutations (perms) can seem confusing. This guide breaks it down simply so you can start using perms to maximise your winnings.

What is a Permutation?

In pools betting, you must select 8 matches for your Treble Chance entry. A permutation allows you to select MORE than 8 matches and cover every possible combination of 8 from your larger selection.

Example: Perm 8 from 10

If you select 10 matches and use a "Perm 8 from 10", you are covering all possible ways to pick 8 matches from your 10. The number of combinations is calculated as:

10 ÷ (8! × 2!) = 45 lines

So you pay for 45 lines instead of 1. If at least 8 of your 10 selections turn out to be score draws, you win the top dividend.

Common Perms

Perm TypeLinesBest For 8 from 99Beginners — small budget 8 from 1045Most popular choice 8 from 11165Higher coverage 8 from 12495Maximum coverage How to Calculate Your Stake

Multiply the number of lines by your unit stake. If you stake 10p per line on a Perm 8 from 10, your total investment is 45 × 10p = £4.50.

Tips for Using Perms

• Always use our Winnings Calculator to estimate potential returns
• Choose your 10 selections carefully — quality over quantity
• Focus your perm on matches where both teams are evenly matched
• Check our weekly tips for expert selections to include in your perm