What is a single bet?
A single bet is a type of wager in sports betting where you place a bet on only one outcome or selection.
This contrasts with multiple or accumulator bets, where several bets are combined, and all must win for you to see a return. With a single bet, your potential winnings are based solely on the odds of that one selection and the amount you stake.
For example, if you place a single bet on a football team to win a match, your bet wins if that team wins the match.
The simplicity of single bets makes them popular among both beginner and experienced bettors.
They offer a straightforward way to bet on a favored outcome without the complexities and increased risks associated with accumulator bets.
How are winnings for a single bet calculated?
To calculate the winnings for a single bet, you start with the amount staked and apply the odds to determine the profit.
For example, if you place a £10 bet at decimal odds of 3.0, your total return would be calculated as £10 (stake) multiplied by 3.0 (odds), which equals £30.
From this, the profit is £20, as you subtract the original £10 stake from the total return. If the odds were fractional, say 2/1, the calculation would involve multiplying the stake by the fraction.
In this case, £10 multiplied by 2/1 yields a £20 profit, and adding back the stake gives the same total return of £30.
For American odds, the calculation varies slightly based on whether the odds are positive or negative, but the principle remains the same: determine the profit based on the odds and add the stake to find the total return.
