Types of Sports Bets Explained: From Singles to Accumulators

New to betting? Here’s how to understand the different ways to place a bet

Types of Sports Bets: If you’ve ever opened a betting app and stared blankly at the options, you’re not alone. From simple singles to multi-leg accumulators, there’s a whole world of bet types that can be a bit much at first glance. But once you know what each one means and when to use them, betting becomes a lot clearer. Whether you’re backing your favourite team for the win or trying your luck with a weekend football acca, this guide walks you through the most common types of sports bets, in simple terms.

Single bets: The most straightforward option

A single bet is exactly what it sounds like — one selection, one outcome. You’re betting on one event, and if you get it right, you win. If it loses, that’s it. No extras or combinations. It’s a great place to start if you’re new to sports betting.

Example: Manchester United to beat Spurs at 2/1. If they win, you get paid based on those odds.

Also read: What are sports bets called a simple guide to betting slang and terminilogy

Double and Treble: Building on your picks

A double combines two selections. Both need to win for the bet to pay out. A treble works the same way, but with three picks. The idea is simple: you stack your selections together to boost your potential return.

Example: Arsenal to win and both teams to score in the Liverpool match. If both come in, you get a bigger payout than two separate singles.

Accumulators: High risk, high reward

The famous acca. This is when you roll four or more selections into one bet. The catch? Every leg has to come in. One miss and the whole thing is lost. But get it right and you could land a big payout from a small stake. That’s why they’re so popular for weekend football.

Example: A five-fold with wins for Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Villa and West Ham.

Over/Under bets: Betting on totals

This bet doesn’t depend on who wins the match. Instead, you’re predicting the total number of goals, points or runs. One of the most popular examples is “Over/Under 2.5 goals” in football. It’s a good option if you expect a high- or low-scoring game but aren’t sure about the result.

Example: Over 2.5 goals in Liverpool v Brighton means you need three or more goals in the match to win.

Also Read: Want to learn sports betting? Here’s a beginners guide on how to bet read odds

Handicap betting: Level the playing field

Handicap betting is used when there’s a clear favourite. One team is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage before the match begins. You’re betting on the result after that adjustment.

Example: Liverpool -1 handicap v Luton means Liverpool need to win by two goals or more for the bet to come in.

Both teams to score (BTTS): Just a yes or no

With BTTS, you’re simply betting on whether both teams will score in the match. It doesn’t matter who wins or what the score is, as long as both sides get at least one goal.

Example: BTTS in Brentford v Fulham. If both sides score, your bet wins.

Outright bets: Long-term predictions

These bets are placed on the outcome of an entire tournament, league or event, not just one game. You can usually place outright bets before the season starts or during it, although odds will shift based on results.

Example: England to win the Euros, or Haaland to finish as Premier League top scorer.

Each-way bets: Mostly for racing, sometimes golf

An each-way bet splits your stake in two. One half goes on your selection to win, the other on it to place — for example, finishing in the top 3 or top 5. If it wins, both bets pay. If it places, you get a return from that part of the bet.

Example: £5 each-way on a 20/1 horse costs £10 total. If it comes second, you get a payout on the place part of the bet.

Start simple and build up

If you’re new to betting, it’s wise to start with singles. Once you understand how odds and payouts work, try out a double or maybe a BTTS bet. Accumulators can be fun, but they carry more risk. Whatever you go with, knowing the different types of bets puts you in a stronger position to bet smarter, not just harder.