HOW DOES SPORTS BETTING WORK?
You want to learn what sports betting is about and how it works? Then you're in the right place! Here we explain all basic terms and types of bets in detail. Whether you're a beginner or a pro – you'll find everything you've always wanted to know about sports betting!
1.1 Explanation of Basic Terms
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Tip 1 | Tip X | Tip 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal London | Schalke 04 | 1.65 | 3.30 | 4.40 |
| Borussia Dortmund | Liverpool FC | 2.20 | 3.00 | 2.85 |
Sports betting refers to betting on sporting events (e.g., football, tennis, ice hockey, alpine skiing, etc.). Bookmakers calculate odds based on experience and various other factors that indicate the likelihood of the outcome. The bettor places their tip(s) and stakes a certain amount. Depending on the type of bet, the potential winnings are calculated if the tip is correct.
Below are some important basic terms from the world of sports betting. This is intended to make betting easier for those who are new to the subject but still want to enjoy the experience.
1.2 Accumulator Bet (+3)
An accumulator bet is a combination bet that must consist of at least 3 games. You can identify such games by the (+3) note behind the game.
1.3 Exclusions
Please note that some games cannot be combined in certain types of bets.
Examples:
- A handicap game (e.g., HC Arsenal - Sunderland) cannot be combined with the regular game (Arsenal - Sunderland).
- Place bets (e.g., Alonso place 1-3) cannot be combined with win bets (Alonso win) or pole bets (Alonso pole).
1.4 Result Bet
This is a bet on the exact outcome of a match. A result can be: Tip 1 (team 1 wins), Tip X (draw), or Tip 2 (team 2 wins).
1.5 Long-term Bet (LT)
These are bets that span a longer period of time.
Examples: Formula 1 World Champion, football league winner, etc. Long-term bets can only be combined with other long-term bets.
1.6 Odds
The odds represent the bookmaker's estimate of the likelihood of a sports outcome. A lower odd (closer to 1) is assigned to outcomes deemed more likely. Higher odds indicate less likely outcomes. The bettor’s stake is multiplied by the odds to calculate potential winnings. Lower odds mean lower risk and lower reward, while higher odds imply greater risk but also greater reward.
1.7 Line
This is a term from system or full system bets. A “line” refers to the number of combination bets in a (full) system bet.
1.8 Special Bets
The term "special bet" includes the following bet types:
Correct score, half-time/full-time, first goal scorer, over/under, set betting, number of corners, red card – yes or no, which team starts the match, which team scores first, total goals, when is the first goal scored?
1.9 Tip 1
Victory for team 1 (home team)
1.10 Tip 2
Victory for team 2 (away team)
1.11 Tip X
The match ends in a draw.
1.12 Types of Tips
Depending on the sport you’ve chosen, there are various types of tips available.
1.13 Types of Bets
Whether you prefer single bets or combining multiple bets, there are different types of bets available to you.
Types of Bets
Whether you prefer to place single bets or combine multiple tips, different betting options are available to you. Each type includes an odds example and a winnings calculation for illustration.
1.1 Single Bet
A single bet is placed on one specific outcome. To win the bet, the selected event must occur.
Payout = Stake x Odds
Example:
| Tip 1 | Tip X | Tip 2 | Final Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea - Barcelona | 2.40 | 2.90 | 2.55 | 3 - 1 |
You place €10 on a Chelsea win (odds 2.40).
Payout = €10 x 2.40 = €24
If you want to place single bets only, please avoid games marked with (+3) as those require combination betting.
1.2 Combination Bet (3 out of 3)
A combination bet includes multiple selections. All selections must be correct for the bet to win.
Payout = Stake x Odds x Odds...
Example:
| Tip 1 | Tip X | Tip 2 | Final Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea - Barcelona | 2.40 | 2.90 | 2.55 | 3 - 1 |
| Valencia - Lazio | 2.45 | 2.80 | 2.60 | 5 - 2 |
| Real Madrid - Manchester Utd. | 2.30 | 3.00 | 2.65 | 0 - 0 |
You place €10 on: Chelsea win (2.40) + Valencia win (2.45) + Real Madrid draw (3.00).
Payout = €10 x 2.40 x 2.45 x 3.00 = €176.40
1.3 System Bet
This type of bet allows multiple selections with several combinations. Each combination is treated as a separate bet and calculated accordingly. In your account, system bets are shown as combination bets.
Example 1:
You make a 2-column system bet with a double choice (1/X), creating 2 rows:
- Row 1: Chelsea win, Porto win, Arsenal win
- Row 2: Chelsea win, Porto draw, Arsenal win
Stake per row: €10 (total: €20)
Winning row = €10 x 2.40 x 2.90 x 1.40 = €97.44
Example 2:
You place 2 columns with double choices = 4 combinations:
- Row 1: Chelsea win, Real Madrid win, Arsenal win
- Row 2: Chelsea win, Real Madrid draw, Arsenal win
- Row 3: Chelsea draw, Real Madrid win, Arsenal win
- Row 4: Chelsea draw, Real Madrid draw, Arsenal win
Stake per row: €10 (total: €40)
Winning row = €10 x 2.40 x 3.00 x 1.40 = €100.80
Calculation = Total stake / number of rows x odds...
1 double = 2 rows
2 doubles = 4 rows
3 doubles = 8 rows
1 double + 1 triple = 6 rows
1.4 Full System Bet
In a full system, you cover all possible combinations for a given selection count.
Example 1:
You bet on Chelsea (2.40), Valencia (2.45), Galatasaray (1.85) in a 2 out of 3 system:
- Row 1: Chelsea + Valencia = €10 x 2.40 x 2.45 = €58.80
- Row 2: Chelsea + Galatasaray = €10 x 2.40 x 1.85 = €44.40
- Row 3: Valencia + Galatasaray = €10 x 2.45 x 1.85 = €45.32
Total payout = €148.52
Example 2:
You bet on 4 teams using a 3 out of 4 system (Chelsea, Porto, Arsenal, ManU):
- Only one row won = €10 x 2.40 x 2.90 x 1.40 = €97.44
Common variations:
| 2 out of 3 = 3 rows | 3 out of 4 = 4 rows | 4 out of 5 = 5 rows |
| 2 out of 4 = 6 rows | 3 out of 5 = 10 rows | 4 out of 6 = 15 rows |
| 3 out of 6 = 20 rows | 4 out of 7 = 35 rows | 5 out of 6 = 6 rows |
| 6 out of 7 = 7 rows | 7 out of 8 = 8 rows | 5 out of 7 = 21 rows |
1.5 Asian Handicap Bets
| Handicap | Bet on team with handicap | Bet on team without handicap |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Win = team wins. Draw = stake refunded. | Win = team wins. Draw = stake refunded. |
| 0.5 | Win = team wins. | Win = draw or team wins. |
| 1 | Win = team wins by 2+. Win by 1 = refund. | Win = draw or win. Lose by 1 = refund. |
| 1.5 | Win = team wins by 2+. | Win = win, draw or lose by 1. |
| 2 | Win = team wins by 3+. Win by 2 = refund. | Win = win, draw or lose by 1. Lose by 2 = refund. |
| 2.5 | Win = team wins by 3+. | Win = draw or lose by max 2 goals. |