Betting Terms

A single bet combining multiple selections. All must win for the bet to pay out. Returns increase with each added selection — so does the risk.

A bet placed well in advance of an event. Generous odds, but stakes are usually lost if your selection doesn't run.

Placing bets on all possible outcomes across different bookmakers to guarantee a profit regardless of result.

Discrepancies in odds across bookmakers that allow risk-free profit. Opportunities are usually short-lived.

A handicap that eliminates the draw outcome by giving one team a fractional goal advantage. Common in football.

When a bookmaker quotes odds for the leading runners and lists the rest as 'bar' a certain price.

Shopping around for the best available odds across multiple bookmakers.

A platform where bettors bet against each other. Users can both back and lay outcomes.

A bet on the exact final score of a match. High odds due to difficulty.

A single bet combining two selections. Both must win.

Stake refunded if the match ends in a draw.

Backing multiple selections so you make the same profit whichever wins.

Two parts: a win bet and a place bet. Pays out on win or place at reduced odds.

Odds offered before the day of the event. Can offer value.

The average amount you can expect to win or lose per bet over time. +EV bets are profitable long term.

Odds agreed at the time of placing the bet. Payout locked in.

A bet predicting first and second in correct order.

247 bets across 8 selections — full-cover from doubles to eight-fold.

The condition of the ground at a racecourse, from heavy to firm.

A bet predicting the result at both half time and full time.

Levelling the playing field via weight (racing) or goals (football).

Placing additional bets to reduce risk on an existing wager.

57 bets on 6 selections — full-cover from doubles to six-fold accumulator.

Live betting — placing bets on an event after it has started.

Slang for the favourite — the selection with the shortest odds.

Betting against a selection to win — available on exchanges.

15 bets on 4 selections: 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold.

31 bets on 5 selections — full-cover from singles to five-fold.

63 bets on 6 selections — full-cover from singles to six-fold.

A tipster's most confident selection of the day.

Next best — a tipster's second most confident selection.

Stake refunded if your selection is withdrawn from the event.

Potential profit exceeds the stake (e.g. 3/1).

Stake exceeds the potential profit (e.g. 1/3) — strong favourite.

The bookmaker's built-in profit margin across all outcomes.

American term for an accumulator.

7 bets on 3 selections: 3 singles, 3 doubles, 1 treble.

Tote pool bet — pick a horse to place in each of the first six races.

Deduction applied to winnings when a horse is withdrawn after bets are placed.

Combination bet on first goalscorer and correct score.

Official odds of a horse at the start of a race.

Payout based on accuracy of the prediction rather than win/lose.

Investigation by racecourse officials into a possible rules breach.

120 bets on 7 selections — full-cover from doubles to seven-fold.

26 bets on 5 selections (Canadian) — no singles.

Traditional hand-signal system used by on-course bookmakers.

Payout per £1 stake in a Tote pool bet.

A single bet combining three selections — all must win.

Predicting first, second and third in correct order.

4 bets on 3 selections: 3 doubles, 1 treble.

11 bets on 4 selections: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 four-fold.