Bet Types & Terminology

A comprehensive betting guide to help beginners who are new to betting.

Updated: February 19, 2025 at 2:43 pm GMT+0

Craig Jones

Fact Checked by

Will Jackson

Ever wondered what a bet was all about, or the correct term to use when speaking about gambling?

Our guides page dedicated to the different bet types and the betting terminology we all use is here to help.

You will find breakdowns of some of the most commonly used bets across all sports, plus some of the more obscure angles to look at, as well as having all the terminology explained, so you can stay ahead of the game.

What is Handicap Betting?

What is a Bet Builder in Football?

What is Goalscorer Betting in Football?

What is BTTS in Football?

What is an Accumulator Bet?

What is a Canadian Bet?

What is a Trixie Bet?

What is a Patent Bet?

What is a Yankee Bet?

What is a Lucky 15 Bet?

Rule 4 Deductions in Horse Racing

Each Way Betting in Horse Racing

Best UK Free Bets

Advertiser Disclosure:

Content on this site will contain reference to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you view ads or click on links to those products or services.

Neptune Play

Bet £10 & Get a £10 Free Bet + 10 Bonus Spins on Book of Dead

Claim Offer

New customers only. Min £10 deposit and bet on odds 1/1 or greater required. Extra bet and bonus spins issued within 24 hours of qualifying bet being settled. Extra bet valid for 14 days, stake not returned. Bonus spins valid for 24 hours, selected games only. 18+, T&C's apply.

Quick Bet Betting

Bet £10 Get £10 Free Bet

Claim Offer

Tote

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + 20 Free Spins

Claim Offer

New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. One welcome offer per customer. Bet a minimum of £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration to qualify. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 sports Free Bet and 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.

Betfred

Bet £10, Get £50 in Free Bets

Claim Offer

New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

Virgin Bet

Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets

Claim Offer

*New members only. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals), placed & settled at 1.5 min odds in 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days, use on sportsbook only (ex. virtuals), stakes not returned. T&Cs and deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+

Livescore Bet

Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets

Claim Offer

*New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. **UK and Irish horse racing win/each-way bets placed after 9am on race day. Max enhancement £50k/day. Rules and exclusions apply. Click here for full T&Cs.. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware®. 18+

Pub Sports

Bet £10 and Get a £10 Free Bet

Claim Offer

New customers only. £10 in real money. Bets placed on sports at odds of 2.00 or more to qualify. Bets must be placed 24 within registration. £10 free bet must be wagered on sports. T&C's apply. Gamling can be addictive, play responsibly, 18+.

Grosvenor

Double the Odds + 100 Free Spins when you deposit £20

Claim Offer

New Customers by invite Only. Min Deposit £20 (exc PayPal & PaySafe). Max Bonus £30 (30x wagering & max wins £2000) & 100 Free Spins @10p playable on selected games (1x wagering on wins, max wins £500) + 100% Odds Boost Token. T&Cs apply.

Bet442 Sport

Welcome Offer up to £50 in Free Bets

Claim Offer

18+. New customers Only. Opt-in required. Min deposit: £20. Min Bet: £20. Maximum 2 free bets credited per user. Min odds: Events (2.00). Only horse racing single bets qualify (E/W markets excluded). Free bet 1: 50% of your stake back, up to £30, if your first qualifying bet loses. Free bet 2: 50% of your stake back, up to £20, if your second qualifying bet loses. Paid as free bet token. Free bets min odds: 3/2 (2.50). Free bets are valid for single selections only & are not valid for E/W markets. http://www.gambleaware.org. T&Cs Apply.

Betway

Up to £30 Matched Free Bet + £30 Uber Eats Voucher

Claim Offer

*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply

#	Outcome The outcome of the race you would like to discover your potential return for.	Odds The odds the bookmaker is offering.	Place Odds The fraction of the odds you will win as part of the each way bet. This will be noted by your bookmaker.	Rule 4 The amount that will be deducted from your winnings should a horse withdraw from the race. This will be noted by your bookmaker.
1	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds
2	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds

#	Outcome The outcome of the race you would like to discover your potential return for.	Odds The odds the bookmaker is offering.	Place Odds The fraction of the odds you will win as part of the each way bet. This will be noted by your bookmaker.	Rule 4 The amount that will be deducted from your winnings should a horse withdraw from the race. This will be noted by your bookmaker.
1	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds
2	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds
3	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds

#	Outcome The outcome of the race you would like to discover your potential return for.	Odds The odds the bookmaker is offering.	Place Odds The fraction of the odds you will win as part of the each way bet. This will be noted by your bookmaker.	Rule 4 The amount that will be deducted from your winnings should a horse withdraw from the race. This will be noted by your bookmaker.
1	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds
2	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds
3	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds
4	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds

#	Outcome The outcome of the race you would like to discover your potential return for.	Odds The odds the bookmaker is offering.	Place Odds The fraction of the odds you will win as part of the each way bet. This will be noted by your bookmaker.	Rule 4 The amount that will be deducted from your winnings should a horse withdraw from the race. This will be noted by your bookmaker.
1	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds
2	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds
3	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds
4	Outcome	Odds Numerator Odds Denominator Odds in decimal format Odds in American format	Place Odds	Place Odds

Bet Types & Terminology

A comprehensive betting guide to help beginners who are new to betting.

Read More