Bet Types & Terminology

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

Updated: August 21, 2025 at 7:41 am GMT+1

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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 when exploring betting sites 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

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Neptune Play

Bet £20 and Get £20 + 20 Free spins

Claim Offer

18+. New Players Only. Min. £20 deposit and bet on odds 1/1 or greater required. Extra bets and bonus spins are issued within 24 hours of the qualifying bet being settled. Extra bet valid for 14 days, stake not returned. Bonus spins are valid for 24 hours, only available on the Book of Dead game. Wagering Required on Bonus Spins: x15. Terms and Conditions apply

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+

Tote

Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses

Claim Offer

New customers online only. Valid with code B10G50 on registration. Bet min £/€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. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Sports Bet, 2 x £/€5 Sports Acca and 50 Free Spins. 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org.Full 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

BoyleSports

Get £40 in Free Bets + Early Payout on 2 Goals Ahead

Claim Offer

18+. Applies to bets placed on match betting ahead of kick off. Get paid out as a winner if your team goes 2 goals ahead even if they win, lose or draw. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. Max €/£50k on losing selection. Account & payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Bet442 Sport

Bet £20, Get £20 in Free Bets

Claim Offer

18+. New customer only.Min deposit £20. Maximum one £10 Free Bet & two £5 Bet Builder Free Bets. Quailifying bet must be placed at odds of Evens (2.00) or greater. Paid as bonus tokens: Tokens 1 Min odds Req: 4/5 (1.800, token 2 & 3 are valid for Bet Builder only and are subject to min odds of 2/1 (3.00). T&C’s 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.

Quick Bet Betting

Bet £10, Get £10 Free Bet

Claim Offer

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.

Ladbrokes Sports

Deposit £5, Get £20 In Sports Bets + 50 Free Spins

Claim Offer

18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5+ deposit and bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £5 free bets (selected sports markets only) and 50 Free Spins (value £0.10, selected games). Valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs 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.

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