Lesson 2. Single Bet: Brief Overview, Calculation Features, Instructions for Betting

A single bet, as the name suggests, is a bet that provides for one outcome. The player can calculate the amount of expected winnings independently by simply multiplying the bet amount by the odds offered by the bookmaker.

Find out all the information about single bets and their features.

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Types of Single Bets

Despite the fact that the single bet is positioned as a straight one, bookmakers offer several types of such bets, with additional rules and conditions:

  • Outcome bet. A single bet option implying three possible outcomes: victory for one of the participants (teams) or a draw;
  • Handicap. In fact, it is the same single “outcome bet”, but with a preliminary handicap of several points for one of the teams;
  • A double chance. An alternative name is “against a draw”. Assumes the victory of one of the participants in the match. Depending on the rules of the bet, in the case of a defeat, the player is counted and the amount goes to the BC or the amount of the bet (possibly minus a certain percentage) is returned to the player. The difficulty of this type of single bet lies in the conditions of a draw, which must be carefully read;
  • Total. The Total bet is placed on sports where points/goals/pucks, etc., are involved. There are two varieties of single bets of this type:
  • Total Over is a bet on the total number of points exceeding the bookmaker’s set limit;
  • Total Under is a bet on the total number of points being less than the bookmaker’s set limit.

IMPORTANT! Single bets on the exact score are relatively rare and only occur in sports with a low number of scoring points, such as football. This is a rather risky type of bet. Therefore, for novice players who do not have experience and deep knowledge in a particular sport, this bet is not recommended.

An Illustrative Example of the Calculation

The calculation of a single bet can be illustrated using the example of a football match between Punjab FC and Bengaluru FC.

The Bengaluru FC team is the favorite in this meeting with a slight advantage over the Punjab FC team. Therefore, the coefficient for increasing the bet on this team’s win is less and amounts to 2.55. If a player bets 100 rupees on this team, then if Liverpool wins, he/she will receive:

 100 x 2.55 = 255 rupees.

Understand by example how a single match bet is calculated.

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How to Place a Bet — Step-by-step Instructions

Registration in 2 steps

To place a single bet, you need to perform the following actions:

Step 1

Select a category

In the sports category, select “Football”. Then choose the level of the sporting event — “India. Super League.” Depending on the timing of the sports event, the bets vary between “Live,” for events happening within 1 to 12 hours, or for all matches. Find the desired match Punjab FC — Bengaluru FC and click on the corresponding odds.

To place a bet, select a category.

Step 2

Place your bet

By clicking on one of the events, for instance, Bengaluru FC’s victory, a betting card will open on the right side of the screen. A betting card will open on the right side of the screen. The player needs to enter the amount they are willing to bet or select from the list of suggested amounts and then click on the “OK” button.

To place a bet, choose its size.

Advantages of Single Bets

Single bets have certain advantages:

  • Simplicity of calculation and prediction. In addition to the straightforward calculation of the winning amount, even a novice player with minimal knowledge of a particular sport can predict the outcome of a match with a reasonably high probability, at least based on the amount of the bet offered by the bookmaker. The lower the odds, the higher the probability that the team will win;
  • Single commission. Unlike “accumulators” or “systems,” the margin, or bookmaker’s commission, which can range from 2–15%, is built into the single bet initially and is paid only once;
  • Acceptable level of risk. As practice shows, two single bets on two sporting events are less risky than an “accumulator” consisting of the same events.

Recommendations for Placing Single Bets

Experienced bettors have formulated several rules that are recommended to follow when placing single bets:

  • Avoid placing bets with odds ranging from 1.2 to 1.5, even though winning such bets is highly probable. Statistics show that 20% of such bets end up being losses. The net winnings from the previous four successful bets won’t be enough to cover the loss from the fifth. Furthermore, resist the temptation to increase the bet amount, as doing so could quickly deplete your bankroll;
  • Familiarize yourself with the rules for handicaps and totals in single bets. This is especially important for draws in matches. Some bookmakers have specific rules for settling bets if certain conditions aren’t met;
  • Limit the amount of your bet. As practice shows, it’s not advisable to raise the amount of a single bet above 5–7% of your allocated bankroll. Even if the player is confident in the victory, it’s not recommended to raise it above 15%.

Conclusion

Single bets are the simplest type of wagers and are recommended for novice players to consider. However, experienced bettors also utilize them for both large bets aiming for significant wins and as part of strategies to offset potential losses.

Learn More

Learn more about the types of bets at bookmakers.

Types of Bets in Sports: Different Betting Types Explained

Sports betting has undergone a long evolutionary path. From the simple question of “who will win” at the village fair to singles, parlays, and handicaps in bookmakers’ offices. 

Previous lesson

Find out all the information about parlay bets and their features.

What is a Parlay Bet and Its Calculation Features?

Parlay bets combine relative simplicity in calculation and forecasting with high odds. They are often favored by newcomers because with an investment of 10 rupees, for example, one can relatively easily win 100 or more. 

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