Please check the site for in depth looks at different types of Bets Explained, but this betting glossary section aims to put together a comprehensive list of all the terms within the football and rugby betting market with their definitions. If you’re stuck for what a term means or how to relate it, this is the place to visit.
A
Accumulator/Acca – A bet with multiple selections, where all selections must win for the overall bet to succeed. Also known as a Parlay bet.
Ante Post Betting – Deriving from horse racing, ante post betting refers to placing a bet weeks, months or possibly years in advance of the event happening. In football terms, this may be betting on a team to win the World Cup far before the tournament starts.
Arbitrage Bet – Where a variation in odds on one market between bookmakers (usually because of different opinions or error) allows a punter to back all possible outcomes and still guarantee a win.
Asian Handicap – See Asian Handicap Explained for detailed description.
B
Back – To back an outcome is to bet on a certain selection to win.
Banker – Banker bets refer to backing a team that is hugely favoured to win a match.
Bet – To place money on a team to win a match with a bookmaker.
Betting Exchange – Differs to the bookmaker who sets odds and offers on a possible outcome, betting exchange allows people to bet against each other instead of the bookmaker. The betting exchange acts as a middle man, taking commissions from the stake.
Bettor – Someone who places a bet, typically an American term – Also known as a ‘punter.’
Bookmaker/Bookie – A licensed company who is legally able to accept bets from customers on the result of an event based on their market odds.
Both Teams to Score – A bet where both teams in a match need to score a goal for the bet to win. See more details.
C
Canadian – Also known as a ‘Super Yankee,’ a Canadian consists of 26 bets, involving five selections in different events. The bet includes one accumulator, five four folds, ten trebles and ten doubles, with a minimum of two selections needing to succeed in order to win.
Correct Score – Betting on the exact score line in a football match. See details.
D
Double – When two matches are selected, with both predicted outcomes having to be successful in order for overall bet to win.
Double Chance – Backing a team to win or draw a fixture to heighten the chances of a bet win. 2 of 3 outcomes are backed, with the only way to lose if the backed team loses.
Draw No Bet – Picking a team to win a fixture, where if the outcome is a draw the stake is returned to the bettor.
E
Each Way Bet – A bet placed on any selection involving a win and place bet, with the stake split evenly between the two. It allows punters to still make a return if the backed selection wins or comes in the top three places (this can vary dependent on event). Typically used in football terms when betting on a competition or tournament.
Evens – Evens bet is a bet placed at odds of 2.00 (1/1) which offers your money back plus that amount.
F
Favourite – The selection that bookmakers rate as the more likely winner of an event.
Fold – A fold represents the number of selections made in an accumulator bet. For example, six selections in one accumulator would be known as a ‘six fold accumulator.’
G
Goliath – A bet that consists of 247 bets involving 8 selections in different events. The bet includes 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 four folds, 56 five folds, 28 six folds, 8 seven folds and an accumulator. A minimum of 2 of your selections must be successful to win a return.
H
Handicap Betting – Also known as ‘spread’ betting, a handicap involves giving one team an imaginary deficit that they have to overcome during a game for the purposes of a bet. The odds as a result are made more attractive as there is more to overcome. See Handicap Betting Explained.
Heinz – Consists of 57 bets involving six selections from different events. A Heinz bet contains 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four fold accumulators, six five fold accumulators and one six fold accumulator. A minimum of two selections must be successful to win a return.
I
In Play Betting – Refers to live match betting where it is possible to place bets on the fixture while it is in progress. See In Play Betting Explained for more information.
J & K
– N/A
L
Lay – To bet against a certain outcome happening, common in betting exchanges.
Longshot – A selection that is unlikely to win.
Lucky 15 – Consists of 15 different bets deriving from 4 selections in different events and contains 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 four fold accumulator. Only one winner is needed to win a return.
Lucky 31 – Consists of 31 different bets deriving from 5 selections in different events and contains 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four fold accumulators and 1 five fold accumulator. Only one winner is needed to win a return.
Lucky 63 – Consists of 63 different bets deriving from 6 selections in different events and contains 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four fold accumulators, 6 five fold accumulators and 1 six fold accumulator. Only one winner is needed to win a return.
M
Match Betting – Betting on the outcome of a sports event, typically the most common bet in sports betting. See Match Betting Explained.
Multiple – Another term for an accumulator bet, involving more than one selection.
N
– N/A
O
Odds – The chances of a selection winning a fixture according to the bookmaker. See Odds Explained.
Odds Against – Where the odds are longer than evens, for example 5/2.
Odds On – Where odds are shorter than evens, for example 4/6. If the selection wins, the amount won is less than the amount staked, plus the original stake.
Outright Betting – Betting on a team to win usually a competition or league overall.
Over/Under Betting – Involves the punters betting on a number of goals, corners, yellow cards or other events in a match. See Over/Under Betting Explained.
P
Patent – A patent consists of 7 bets involving three selections from different events, consisting of 3 singles, 3 doubles and 1 treble. 1 selection needs to be successful to win a return.
Price – Another term for betting or gambling odds.
Punter – A person who places a bet, known in the US as a bettor.
Q
– N/A
R
Return – The amount of money or potential money to be won from a bet.
S
Scorecast Betting – Predicting the first scorer and correct score in a fixture. See more.
Single – A bet consisting of one selection on a sports market.
Specials – Bookmakers will often offer special markets which are not usually available, or markets that are available with enhanced odds.
Stake – The amount of money placed on a bet.
Super Heinz – Consists of 120 bets involving 7 selections from different events. A Super Heinz bet contains 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 four fold accumulators, 21 five fold accumulators, 7 six fold accumulators and 1 seven fold. A minimum of two selections must be successful to win a return.
Super Yankee – See Canadian.
T
Treble – A bet consisting of three different selections in one bet. All three selections must win for the bet to win.
Trixie – A bet consisting of 4 bets (3 doubles and 1 treble) with 3 selections in different events.
U
Underdog – The selection that is not expected to win.
V
Value Bets – Bets that have odds that are longer from a bookmaker’s point of view than a punter’s. The return offered would be more than a punter was hoping for, making it a good value prediction.
Void Bet – When a stake is returned for a number of reasons, where no winnings are won and nothing is lost, essentially with the bet being cancelled.
W
Wager – Another word for a bet.
Wincast – Predicting an anytime goal scorer and the overall winner of a football match.
X & Z
– N/A
Y
Yankee – Consisting of 11 bets involving 4 selections in different events. The bet includes 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four fold accumulator. A minimum of 2 of your selections must be successful to win some kind of return.