Types of bets in sports betting South Africa
Learn how singles, multis, system bets and bet builders are structured, then explore popular football, rugby and cricket markets such as match winner, over and under, handicaps and player bets.
A bet format explains how your selections are combined. A betting market explains what result or event you are predicting. This guide covers both.
Bet formats and betting markets are not the same thing
Sportsbooks often display dozens of choices on one event. They become much easier to understand when you separate two questions: how is the bet constructed and what outcome are you predicting?
Bet format
A bet format describes how your selections are packaged together. It determines how many selections are included and whether every selection must win.
Betting market
A betting market describes the event or outcome being predicted. It could relate to the final result, total points, goals, margins or a player performance.
See how the distinction works on a bet slip
Select a sport to see how one bet can be described by both its format and its market.
What must happen?
This is a single because only one selection has been placed.
The market is both teams to score. Each team must score at least one goal for the selection to win. The final winner does not matter.
What must happen?
This is a single because there is only one selection on the bet slip.
The market is a handicap. After subtracting 6.5 points from South Africa’s score, they must still be ahead.
What must happen?
This is a single because it contains only one selection.
The market is a team total. South Africa’s final first innings score must finish above the bookmaker’s line.
Popular football bets explained in plain language
Football sportsbooks offer far more than simply choosing a winner. Use this market explorer to understand match-result bets, goals markets, handicaps, player selections, corners, cards and bet builders before adding anything to your bet slip.
Choose a football market category
Each explanation includes an illustrative South African football example and the outcome required for the selection to win.
Match result and outcome markets
These markets focus on who wins, whether the match ends in a draw or what the result looks like at different stages.
1X2 or match result
Predict whether the home team wins, the match ends in a draw or the away team wins during the stated match period.
Double chance
Double chance combines two of the three possible match results: home or draw, draw or away, or either team to win.
Draw no bet
Choose one team to win. If the match ends in a draw, the selection is normally treated as void and the stake is returned.
Half-time and full-time
Predict the result at half-time and again at full-time. Both parts of the selection must be correct.
Winning margin
Predict which team wins and by how many goals, usually using ranges such as one goal or two or more goals.
Goals and scoring markets
These markets focus on how many goals are scored, which teams score and the exact final score.
Over and under goals
Predict whether the total goals scored by both teams finishes above or below a bookmaker’s line.
Both teams to score
Predict whether both teams score at least one goal during the stated match period.
Correct score
Predict the exact score at the end of the stated match period.
Team total goals
Predict how many goals one specific team scores, regardless of the other team’s total.
Football handicap markets
A virtual advantage or disadvantage is applied before the selection is settled.
Standard match handicap
A whole-goal handicap is applied before assessing whether the home team, handicap draw or away team wins.
Asian handicap
Asian handicaps remove the standard draw outcome using half-goal, whole-goal or quarter-goal lines.
Positive handicap
A positive handicap gives the selected team a virtual goal advantage before settlement.
Asian handicap zero
A zero handicap requires the selected team to win. A draw normally returns the stake.
Player, corner, card and bet-builder markets
These selections depend on specific players or match events rather than only the final score.
Anytime goalscorer
Choose a player to score at any point during the stated match period.
First goalscorer
Predict which player scores the first officially recorded goal of the match.
Corners
Predict the total corners, team corners, corner handicap or which team wins the most corners.
Cards and bookings
Predict total cards, team cards, booking points or whether a named player receives a card.
Football bet builder
A football bet builder combines several compatible markets from the same match into one custom selection. Every included condition normally needs to happen.
Popular rugby bets explained for South African punters
Rugby markets often revolve around handicaps, total points, winning margins and try scorers. Explore the common selections available for Springboks tests, URC matches, Currie Cup fixtures and major international rugby competitions.
Choose the type of rugby bet you want to understand
Each category explains what the market measures, how it appears on a rugby bet slip and what normally needs to happen for the selection to win.
Match results and rugby handicaps
These markets measure who wins or compare the teams after a virtual points adjustment.
Match winner
Predict which team wins the match. Some rugby fixtures may offer a three-way market that also includes the draw.
Match handicap
A virtual points advantage or disadvantage is applied before comparing the teams. A negative handicap requires the favourite to win by more than the line.
Underdog handicap
A positive handicap adds virtual points to the underdog’s final score. The team can lose the actual match and still win the handicap selection.
Alternative handicap
Alternative handicaps let you choose a different points line from the main market. Moving the line changes both the required winning margin and the odds.
Rugby points, totals and scoring markets
These selections focus on how many points or tries are recorded rather than only which team wins.
Total match points
Predict whether the combined points scored by both teams finish above or below the sportsbook’s line.
Team total points
Predict whether one named team scores above or below its individual points line.
Total match tries
Predict whether the combined number of tries scored by both teams finishes above or below a line.
Team total tries
Predict how many tries one specific team scores during the stated match period.
Try-scorer and player-performance markets
These markets depend on a named player’s participation and official scoring record.
First try scorer
Predict which player scores the first officially recorded try of the match.
Anytime try scorer
Choose a player to score at least one try at any point during the stated match period.
Player total points
Predict whether a named player scores above or below a points line through qualifying scoring actions.
Player to score two or more tries
Predict that a named player scores at least two officially credited tries during the match.
First-half, margin and rugby bet-builder markets
These selections divide the match into periods or combine several conditions into one custom wager.
First-half winner
Predict which team is ahead at the end of the first half, regardless of the eventual full-time result.
Half-time and full-time
Predict the result at half-time and again at full-time. Both stages must match the selection.
Winning margin
Predict which team wins and the range of points separating the sides at full-time.
Rugby bet builder
A rugby bet builder combines several compatible outcomes from the same match. All included conditions normally need to succeed.
Popular cricket bets explained for South African punters
Cricket sportsbooks offer markets across the match, innings, team and individual player. Explore common bets for Proteas matches, the SA20, international T20s, ODIs and Test cricket, including match winners, run totals, wickets and player performances.
Choose the type of cricket bet you want to understand
Each category explains what is measured, what must happen for the selection to win and where settlement confusion commonly arises.
Match result and innings markets
These markets focus on the overall winner, the toss or which team performs better during a particular innings.
Match winner
Predict which team wins the match under the sportsbook’s stated result and weather rules.
Toss winner
Predict which captain wins the official coin toss before the match begins.
First-innings lead
Predict which team has the higher score after both sides complete their first innings.
Highest-scoring team
Predict which team records the higher innings total in a limited-overs match.
Runs, boundary and partnership markets
These selections measure team runs, individual innings periods, boundaries or opening partnerships.
Innings runs
Predict whether a team’s completed innings total finishes above or below a bookmaker’s line.
Total sixes
Predict whether the combined number of sixes in the match finishes above or below a line.
Total fours
Predict the number of officially recorded fours during the stated match or innings period.
First-wicket partnership
Predict whether the opening partnership reaches a runs line before the first qualifying wicket falls.
Player runs, wickets and performance markets
These selections depend on a named player’s official batting or bowling performance.
Top team batter
Predict which player scores the most qualifying runs for a particular team.
Top team bowler
Predict which player takes the most qualifying wickets for a named team.
Batter total runs
Predict whether a named batter scores above or below a runs line.
Player total wickets
Predict whether a named bowler takes above or below a specified wicket line.
Session, powerplay and live cricket markets
These fast-moving selections focus on a limited period of the match rather than the completed result.
Powerplay runs
Predict how many runs a team scores during the official powerplay period.
Next-over runs
Predict the runs scored during a specified upcoming over while the match is live.
Session runs or wickets
Predict the runs scored, wickets taken or leading team during a defined Test-match session.
Cricket bet builder
Combine several compatible match, team or player outcomes into one custom selection.
Four checks to make before confirming a cricket bet
Cricket markets can remain open, become void or be recalculated depending on participation, overs completed and the official match result.
Identify the type of bet on your bet slip
Answer four simple questions to identify the likely bet format and market family. The tool does not assess whether a selection is likely to win. It helps you understand how the wager is constructed and what outcome it depends on.
What does your bet look like?
Select the options that most closely match the bet slip you are trying to understand.
How many selections are included?
A selection is one predicted outcome added to the bet slip.
Where do the selections come from?
Same-match selections may form a bet builder when the sportsbook allows them to be combined.
How are the selections packaged?
A system bet creates several smaller combinations rather than one standard multi.
What type of outcome are you predicting?
This identifies the market family rather than the bet format.
How the main bet formats differ
The number of selections and the way they are connected determine what must go right before the bet can return a payout.
| Bet format | Typical selections | How it is structured | Effect of one losing selection | Important check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | One | One independent bet | ✓ Decides the bet | Confirm the exact market and match period. |
| Double | Two | Two selections combined | Usually loses the full bet | Both selections normally need to succeed. |
| Treble | Three | Three selections combined | Usually loses the full bet | All three conditions normally need to land. |
| Multi or accumulator | Four or more | Several selections combined | Usually loses the full bet | Check every leg rather than only the combined odds. |
| System | Several | Multiple smaller combination bets | May still allow some combinations to return | Check the number of sub-bets and total stake. |
| Bet builder | Several same-match markets | Compatible conditions from one event | Usually loses the full builder | Review every condition and participation rule. |
How sportsbooks decide whether a bet wins, loses or becomes void
A correct prediction can still be affected by the match period, player participation, postponed events, abandoned matches, dead heats and the exact betting line. Settlement rules are the instructions a sportsbook uses after the event has taken place.
The four steps behind most bet settlements
A sportsbook normally works through the official event result, the chosen market, the qualifying match period and its own published rules.
Choose the settlement situation you want to understand
These examples explain the most common reasons a bet may settle differently from what a punter initially expects.
Regulation time, extra time and penalties
Many markets are settled at the end of the standard match period, even when the event continues.
In football, the standard 1X2 market is commonly based on the result after regulation time and referee-added stoppage time. Extra time and penalties are usually excluded unless the market specifically includes qualification or tournament progression.
Similar distinctions can apply in rugby, cricket and other sports. Always check whether the market says match winner, including extra time, to qualify, or another specific period.
Void selections, pushes and stake returns
A void selection normally means that the selection is cancelled rather than settled as a win or loss.
A selection may become void when a market cannot be fairly completed, when an event fails to meet minimum requirements or when the result lands exactly on a whole-number betting line.
On a single, the stake is normally returned. In a conventional multi, a void leg is often removed and the remaining legs continue at recalculated combined odds. The exact treatment depends on the sportsbook’s rules.
Dead heats and tied winning selections
Dead-heat rules may apply when two or more participants finish in the same qualifying position.
A dead heat commonly occurs in markets such as top goalscorer, top batter, top bowler or tournament finishing positions when no tie-breaking method produces one winner.
The sportsbook may divide the payable stake by the number of tied participants before applying the odds. This can produce a lower return even though the selection is shown as successful.
Postponed, suspended and abandoned events
A delayed or unfinished event does not automatically mean that every market is void.
Sportsbooks normally apply time limits and minimum-event requirements. A postponed event may remain open if it resumes within the operator’s stated window.
Some markets may already have been decided before an abandonment. For example, a first goalscorer or first-half market may remain valid even if the full match is not completed. Other undecided markets may become void.
Player participation and non-starter rules
Player markets may require a player to start, appear or reach a qualifying stage of the event.
Participation rules vary considerably by sport and market. A football goalscorer market may be void when the player never enters the field, while another market may remain valid once the player appears as a substitute.
Cricket markets may depend on whether the player is named in the final team, bats, bowls or has a reasonable opportunity to complete the market. Never assume that being listed in the squad is enough.
What the main settlement statuses mean
The wording may differ slightly between betting platforms, but these are the most common outcomes shown after an event.
Compare three sportsbooks offering popular South African betting markets
Now that you understand how bet formats, markets and settlement rules work, compare the available markets and operator rules before placing a wager. Do not choose a sportsbook based only on a welcome offer or large combined odds.
ZARBet
Compare markets and current offersVisit ZARBet to explore its current match, total, handicap, player and live betting markets. Review each selection individually before adding it to a double, treble or multi.
World Sports Betting
Review markets, builders and rulesExplore the current World Sports Betting market catalogue and compare the available match, player and same-event options. Check whether extra time, substitutions or void legs affect settlement.
Easybet
Compare current betting optionsVisit Easybet to review its latest sports, live and mobile betting markets. Confirm the number of selections, combined odds and total stake before placing any multi or system wager.
Common sports betting mistakes and frequently asked questions
Understanding the market is only one part of placing a bet. Avoid the mistakes below, check the sportsbook’s rules and remember that no betting format guarantees a profit or removes the possibility of losing.
Six errors that can change the meaning of your bet
Most mistakes happen because the punter focuses on the team name or potential return without reading the full selection.
Confusing a market with a bet format
Match winner describes what you are predicting. A single, double or multi describes how selections are packaged together.
Ignoring the qualifying match period
A football team can win after extra time while a standard 1X2 selection still settles on the regulation-time draw.
Reading a handicap the wrong way
A negative handicap is subtracted from the selected team. A positive handicap is added before the adjusted result is compared.
Looking only at the combined odds
Large multi odds can distract from the fact that every leg normally needs to succeed for the full wager to win.
Assuming player markets always stand
Player markets can depend on whether the player starts, appears, bats, bowls or reaches another qualifying level of participation.
Chasing a loss with a larger stake
Increasing the next stake does not recover control or make the following selection more likely to win.
Questions about sports bet types and markets
Open a question below for a clear explanation based on the formats, markets and settlement principles covered on this page.
A single bet is generally the simplest format because only one selection determines the result. The underlying market can still have detailed rules, so check the match period, line and settlement conditions before confirming it.
A conventional multi normally combines selections from different matches or events. A bet builder combines compatible markets from the same match, such as a team result, total goals and a player statistic. Every included condition normally needs to succeed.
In many conventional multis, the void leg is removed and the remaining selections continue at recalculated odds. The potential return therefore becomes lower. System bets, bet builders, boosted bets and promotions may use different rules.
A half-point line prevents the adjusted result from finishing exactly level. For example, over 2.5 goals requires at least three goals, while under 2.5 requires two or fewer. A whole-number line can sometimes produce a push or void result.
Standard football markets are commonly settled after regulation time and stoppage time. Extra time and penalties are usually excluded unless the market specifically says including extra time, to qualify or to lift the trophy.
The result depends on the sport, market and operator. Some player selections become void if the player never participates. Others may stand once the player appears or is included in the final team. Always read the sportsbook’s player-participation rules.
No betting format provides reliable or guaranteed income. Accumulators require several selections to succeed, and one losing leg can lose the full wager. The larger potential return reflects the lower probability of every selection winning together.
Use the ProBets sports betting terminology guide for explanations of odds, stakes, handicaps, totals, dead heats, void bets and other common sportsbook wording.
Understand the selection before checking the potential payout
Read the bet slip in this order: format, market, settlement period and stake. When anything is unclear, pause and check the operator’s rules rather than relying on the market name alone.