Use the multiplication rule
A football prediction combination calculator applies the same rule you can use by hand: write down how many outcomes are selected for each match, then multiply those numbers. If the counts are n₁, n₂, and so on through nₘ, the total is n₁ × n₂ × … × nₘ. The formula counts complete cards because every outcome selected for one match can appear with every allowed outcome selected for all other matches.
Singles, doubles, and triples
A single contributes a factor of 1, a double contributes 2, and a triple contributes 3. Three singles and two doubles produce 1 × 1 × 1 × 2 × 2 = 4 combinations. Replacing one of those singles with a triple changes the total to 1 × 1 × 3 × 2 × 2 = 12. The number of matches alone is therefore not enough to determine the total.
Worked mixed-outcome example
Suppose five matches cover 2, 3, 2, 1, and 2 outcomes. Multiply from left to right: 2 × 3 = 6, 6 × 2 = 12, 12 × 1 = 12, and 12 × 2 = 24. The completed plan contains 24 unique cards, each with one outcome from each of the five matches.
- Match 1: two outcomes
- Match 2: three outcomes
- Matches 3 to 5: two, one, and two outcomes
- Final result: 24 complete prediction combinations
Why powers are useful for repeated counts
When every match has the same number of outcomes, exponent notation shortens the calculation. Ten matches with two outcomes each equal 2¹⁰, or 1,024 combinations. Six matches with three outcomes each equal 3⁶, or 729. The exponent is the number of matches and the base is the number of covered outcomes per match.
Common counting mistakes
The most common mistake is adding outcome counts instead of multiplying them. Another is counting excluded or parked matches, or assuming every match has the same coverage. Always use only included matches and record each outcome count separately. If any included match has zero selected outcomes, no complete card can be formed until an outcome is chosen.
Check the count before allocating
Calculate the total before assigning money or comparing returns. A fixed total allocation divided equally across 24 cards produces a very different card allocation from the same amount divided across 1,024 cards. Once the count is verified, inspect individual cards and decide whether the resulting coverage matches the intended strategy.