Skip to main content

Betting Glossary

A guide to common betting terms and phrases used across our sportsbook.

Whether you are new to betting or just need a quick refresher, use the glossary below to look up any term. Select a letter to expand the relevant section.

A

  • Accumulator (Acca)

    A cumulative bet where the bettor designates a selection in several races or events and bets on the first one; if he wins, the winnings become his bet on the next; and so on (also see fold bets). Accumulators are often named after the number of selections they contain, for example a four-fold, five-fold or six-fold accumulator. For more information, see .Bet Builder vs Accumulator

  • Ante-Post

    Ante-post prices are those on major sporting events, usually prior to the day of the event itself. In return for the chance of better odds, punters risk the fact that stakes are not returned if their selection does not run or take part.

  • Asian Handicap

    Asian Handicap betting was primarily created as a means of making betting on soccer matches more attractive to the customer and is very popular in the Far East. A handicap is created to give a roughly equal chance to both teams. The favoured team will have to overcome a deficit of goals, while the other team will have a head start in goals. Please see Football Rules for full explanation.

B

  • Bet Builder

    A Bet Builder lets you combine multiple selections from a single match into one bet. The more selections you add, the higher your potential return. For more information, see How to Place a Bet Builder Football Bet Builder Rules and Snooker Bet Builder Rules.

  • Bet Calculator

    The following is recommended if you wish to check the settlement or potential payment of your bet(s): [Bet Calculator].

  • Bet ID

    A unique reference number relating to a transaction made on your account.

  • Bet Slip

    Where your selection goes when you want to place a bet. This is where you enter the stake and confirm the bet.

  • Board Price

    The price displayed for each horse on a race card. To take a Board Price is to accept a price that is available until the start of the race.

  • BOG

    Best Odds Guaranteed. Take an Early Price or Board Price and if the Starting Price is greater we will pay you at the bigger price.

  • Applies to all UK and Irish horse racing bets placed after 9am UK time (10:00am CET).

  • Applies to bets placed on the internet and mobile only.

  • LIVE In-Play bets do not count.

  • Does not apply to Ante-Post bets.

  • Does not apply to any extra or special markets.

  • We reserve the right to withhold this offer or any other offer from account holders at our discretion and without prior notice.

  • General Promotional Terms and Conditions apply.

    The maximum real cash benefit that any customer will receive from any BetVictor bonuses or concessions including Best Odds Guaranteed is £25,000 per day (a day is 00:00 to 23:59 CET). This includes returns on wagers struck with promotional cash.

C

  • Canadian

    Also known as a Super Yankee, this is made up of 26 bets involving 5 selections: 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, 1 accumulator. Two successful selections are needed to guarantee a return.

  • Cash Out

    Cash Out allows you to lock in a profit or close your bet for a loss before the market would ordinarily be settled. For more information, see .Cash Out Rules

  • Combination Forecast

    If you choose 3 or more selections and want to combine every possible outcome of the selections finishing 1st and 2nd. A Combination Forecast with 3 selections is 6 bets.

  • Correct Score

    A bet that involves correctly predicting the final score of a football game (90 mins).

D

  • Dead Heat

    A dead heat is when two or more participants tie for a place. Should a dead heat occur then bets are usually settled by dividing your stake by the number of participants that tied and settling accordingly. For example: 3 horses (including my selection) tie for 1st place. I had £6 at 2/1. Stake of £6 divided by 3 (number of horses tied) = £2. £2 at 2/1 = £6 total return. In golf, when there are several players tied for places, the calculation becomes a little more complicated. The stake is calculated by the number of places remaining divided by the number of participants involved in the dead heat, i.e. 2 places remaining, 3 participants in the dead heat = 2/3 of stake.

  • Double

    One bet involving two selections from different events. Both selections must be successful for your bet to win.

  • Double Chance

    The outcome of your bet will be on either of two selections; you win if either selection or outcome wins. Using football as an example, if you select win or draw as the option, your bet is a winner if your team win or if they draw, meaning that only the defeat of the team you backed will result in a loss. The odds will be reduced on this particular bet.

  • Double Result

    Double Result means if your horse is First Past The Post you get paid in full. However, should your horse be awarded the race or promoted to a place as a result of a Stewards Enquiry or Objection which is announced before the weigh in or winner alright, we will still pay you. See Horse Rules for full terms.

E

  • Each Way (EW)

    An each-way bet consists of two wagers. The first is for the selection to win and the second is for the selection to achieve a place. The place odds are determined by the individual conditions of each event. A £5 each-way bet will cost £10 in total.

  • Early Price (EP)

    The price offered before the Board Price is displayed from the racecourse. This allows you to take a price on the morning of a race usually up until around 10 minutes before the Board Price is displayed.

  • Evens

    Odds of 1/1 or 2.00.

F

  • Favourite

    The favourite is the selection in an event that the market considers most likely to win and is therefore listed at the shortest odds.

  • First Goal Scorer

    A bet placed on a player to score the first goal in a football game.

  • First Try Scorer

    A bet placed on a player to score the first try in a rugby match.

  • Fold (or accumulator)

    When preceded by a number, a fold indicates the number of selections in an accumulator. An 8-fold would be an accumulator with 8 selections. All selections must win for the bet to be successful. You cannot mix win only and each way selections in a straight fold or accumulator. However, if all of the selections are available with "to Place" terms, the bet can also be placed as an each-way accumulator. In the case of a non-runner, returns are calculated as though the fold or accumulator had not contained the selection, i.e. a six-fold would become a five-fold.

  • Forecast

    A wager that involves correctly predicting the first and second in a particular event. Prices cannot be taken on a forecast. A dividend of how much the forecast pays to a £1 stake is declared after the race. Also see Reversed Forecast.

G

  • Goliath

    247 bets involving 8 selections: 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 four-folds, 56 five-folds, 28 six-folds, 8 seven-folds, 1 accumulator. Two successful selections are needed to guarantee a return.

H

  • Half Time Result (45 minutes)

    A wager that involves correctly predicting the result of a game at half time.

  • Half Time/Full Time

    This involves predicting the result at half time and the result at full time as one wager with a single price offered.

  • Handicap

    A method used by bookmakers to make a one-sided event become a more attractive betting proposition. Teams are awarded a number of points start depending on their calibre (also known as the pointspread or line).

  • Heinz

    57 bets involving 6 selections: 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds, 1 accumulator. Two successful selections are needed to guarantee a return.

I

  • In Running (IR)

    A term used to describe a race or event that is in progress. Also referred to as Live Betting or IR.

  • In Running Betting

    This is when odds are offered on an event which is actually in progress. The odds are updated throughout an event depending on how play is going, and the market is usually offered on sporting events which are being covered live on television. Mainly football but also golf, cricket and tennis. Also referred to as Live Betting or IR.

L

  • Lucky 15

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

  • Lucky 31

    31 bets involving 5 selections: 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, 1 five-fold.

  • Lucky 63

    63 bets involving 6 selections: 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds, 1 six-fold.

M

  • Match Spread Betting

    Handicap betting where teams are given a starting points advantage or disadvantage, for example +5 or -5, applied to their final score.

  • Money Line Betting

    Basic match betting of Team A vs Team B.

  • Multiple Bets

    This can be a double, treble or accumulator. A linked series of win singles. The stake is placed on the first selection and if it wins, all of the return from the first selection is automatically staked on the second selection as a win single and so on until all selections have won, thus giving a return, or until one selection loses in which case the whole bet is lost.

N

  • Non-Runner

    A non-runner is a selection that is withdrawn before the start of an event. Non-runners are treated as void selections, unless ante-post rules apply. Bets containing more than one selection automatically adjust to cater for void selections, so that any doubles containing the selection are effectively treated as singles, any trebles are treated as doubles, and so on.

O

  • Odds

    The price that a bookmaker offers for a selection to win a specified event. The smaller the price, the more chance the selection has of winning in the opinion of the bookmaker.

  • How Odds are Calculated

    Betting odds of 9/2 mean a winning payout would be 9 times the stake divided by 2, plus the stake returned. It is calculated using the following formula:

    Example: £10 single at 9/2. Total staked = £10. Returns = £10 × (9/2 + 1) = £10 × 5.5 = £55.

    An each-way bet offers the win, plus an additional bet on the place, with the odds reducing by the advertised place terms.

    Example: £10 each-way single at 9/2 (1/4 odds a place). Total staked = £20 (£10 to win, £10 to place). Returns (win) = £10 × (9/2 + 1) = £55. Returns (place) = £10 × (9/2 × 1/4 + 1) = £21.25. Therefore returns if selection wins = £55 + £21.25 = £76.25. If selection places, returns are £21.25 as the win part is lost.

  • Odds-On

    Any selection with a price less than even money. If you back an odds-on selection then your winnings will be less than your stake. For example, £100 on a horse at 1/2 would win you £50. £100 on a horse at 4/5 would win £80.

  • Open Bets

    Bets that are unsettled. It may be that the event is yet to start, the official result is unknown, or the bet is currently in the process of being settled.

  • Over/Unders

    A bet predicting whether the total number of goals in a sporting event will be over or under the given number. Most popular in football matches but also offered in basketball.

P

  • Palpable or Obvious Error

    Where a bet or wager is accepted by us in error, where there is an obvious pricing error, or palpable error. As an example, this could be an accidental reversal of the match odds.

  • Patent

    7 bets comprising 3 selections: 3 singles, 3 doubles, 1 treble. One successful selection is needed to guarantee a return.

  • Period Betting

    Ice hockey term. Prediction of the result of one of the three specific periods of the match (3 x 20 minute periods usually played).

  • Permutations

    It is possible to "perm" bets or selections, for example on 4 selections all the possible doubles could be "permed" making 6 bets.

  • Place Terms

    The returns for place bets are calculated as a proportion of the win odds. This varies between events and sports. Bookmakers clearly advertise the place terms in operation when the bet is struck.

  • Placed

    This refers to a selection coming second, third or fourth in an event. The positions which are considered to be placed depends on the size of the field, for example in a race with 8 to 11 participants, first, second and third count as placed.

  • Price

    A term used to describe the betting odds, for example 2/1 or 3.00.

  • Puck Line

    Ice hockey term. Handicap betting where teams are given a +/- goal start.

R

  • Related Bet

    A related bet occurs when betting on one outcome can be seen to lead to, or influence the outcome of another selection in your bet. Unless special odds are quoted (including Scorecasts), multiple bets (doubles and upwards) are not accepted that involve related contingencies. If taken in error as part of a double bet, the stake will be divided equally as separate singles. If a multiple bet containing any related contingencies has been accepted in error, the stake will be equally split into smaller multiple bets where the selections are not related and therefore do not clash.

  • Returns

    The total money a customer gets back from a successful bet. This includes winnings and stake.

  • Reversed Forecast

    Consists of two separate bets. When a forecast bet is reversed the two selections can finish 1st and 2nd in either order.

  • Rule 4

    When a horse is withdrawn and there is insufficient time to form a new market, the remaining horses in the race are subject to a deduction if they win or are placed. In some instances this can apply to other sports.
    When a horse is withdrawn and there is insufficient time to form a new market, the remaining horses in the race are subject to a deduction if they win or are placed. In some instances this can apply to other sports. See for details of deductions.

S

  • Scorecast

    In a football game this involves predicting the first goalscorer and the correct score in 90 minutes. A special price is quoted for both happening. In order to improve settlement of this type of bet, bets where the selected player does not take part or comes on after the first goal is scored will be made void. Previously in these circumstances bets reverted to a single on the correct score.

  • Set Betting

    In tennis or darts, a wager that involves correctly predicting the sets won by each of the participants in a match.

  • Single

    A straight bet on one selection to win one event.

  • Starting Price (SP)

    The Starting Price is the final price that a horse or dog is returned at once the race has run. If a price is not taken when placing a bet, it will be automatically settled at the returned SP.

  • Super Heinz

    120 bets involving 7 selections: 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 four-folds, 21 five-folds, 7 six-folds and 1 accumulator. Two successful selections are needed to guarantee a return.

  • Super Yankee

    Also known as a Canadian, this is made up of 26 bets involving 5 selections: 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds, 1 accumulator. Two successful selections are needed to guarantee a return.

T

  • Target Score (Basketball)

    Also known as Elam Ending format, this is when the game clock is shut off in the fourth quarter and teams must hit a target score in order to win. In the CEBL, at the first stoppage of play at or under 4:00 of the 4th quarter of each game, timed play will end and a target score will be set, equal to the leading team's score plus nine. For example, if the game's score is 77-71 at the stoppage, the target score after adding 9 points is 86.

  • Three Way Handicap

    A handicap bet with three possible results: Win, Draw, Win. Handicaps are used to make a one-sided event become a more attractive betting proposition. For example, Team A -1, Draw, Team B +1.

  • Three-Ball Betting

    A wager offered in golf tournaments where three players are matched against each other to see who can shoot a round of golf (18 holes) in the lowest score. Dead heat rules apply in three-ball betting.

  • Top Batsman/Top Bowler

    The highest scoring batsman, or the leading wicket taker, for one particular team in a cricket game. The bet is for the 1st innings only unless specified otherwise.

  • Treble

    This consists of 1 bet involving 3 selections from different events. All 3 must be successful for your bet to win.

  • Tricast

    A wager that involves correctly predicting the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in a particular event. A straight tricast consists of 1 bet and the selections must finish in the exact order given. A Combination Tricast means the selections can finish in any order, but this means paying for more individual bets, for example a combination tricast with 4 selections is 24 bets.

  • Trixie

    A Trixie is a multiple bet consisting of 4 bets with 3 selections. The bet breakdown is 3 doubles and 1 treble.

  • Two-Ball Betting

    A wager offered in golf tournaments where two players are matched against each other to see who can shoot a round of golf (18 holes) in the lowest score. In two-ball betting a tie price is offered. Also see Three-Ball Betting.

W

  • Winning Margin

    A wager that involves predicting the difference in scores between two competing teams.

Y

  • Yankee

    11 bets involving 4 selections: 6 doubles, 4 trebles, 1 accumulator. Two successful selections are needed to guarantee a return.


Did this answer your question?