What Can You Bet On At Bookies? Betting Options Explained
Stepping into a bookies, whether on the high street or online, brings plenty of choice. From familiar markets to newer features, it is not always obvious what is available or how everything fits together.
This guide walks through the main sports covered, the most-used market types, and how odds and payouts are shown. It also looks at specials such as politics or entertainment, and explains common bet types like accumulators, handicaps, and in-play bets.
If you are new to betting, getting to grips with the basics can make decisions clearer. Knowing how bets are placed and settled, and how different markets work, can help you manage your play and focus on informed choices.
Which Sports Can You Bet On At Bookies?
Bookies usually cover a broad mix of sports. Football and horse racing lead the way, with fixtures and meetings available most days of the week. Tennis, rugby, cricket, and golf are widely featured as well.
Beyond these, you will often find markets for boxing, darts, snooker, Formula 1, greyhound racing, and cycling. International options such as American football, basketball, and baseball tend to be well supported, too.
Some operators add less mainstream sports, including eSports, handball, volleyball, and Aussie rules football. There are often markets on lower leagues and niche events for those who follow them closely.
Among all of that choice, three sports in particular tend to offer the widest range of markets, which is where we turn next.
Popular Sports Markets: Football, Horse Racing And Tennis
Football is the busiest sport at most bookies, with leagues and tournaments from domestic to international level. Core markets include match result, both teams to score, correct score, and first goalscorer. Many sites also list total goals, half-time results, and player or card markets during bigger fixtures.
Horse racing is a mainstay on the daily coupon. Typical bets include backing a horse to win, going each way, and forecast or tricast options that cover the finishing order of two or three runners. UK and Irish racing is central, with meetings from abroad frequently added to the card.
Tennis is heavily covered around the Grand Slams and tours. Markets often feature match winner, set winner, total games or sets, and score-related options in-play. Some events also price up specific points or games within a set.
With those headline sports in mind, it helps to understand the market types you will see again and again across different events.
What Market Types Are Available At Bookies?
Bookies price up a variety of markets to reflect different outcomes in a match or event. The most common is the match result, which in football is a three-way market: home win, draw, or away win.
Correct score asks for a precise final result, while draw no bet removes the draw from the equation by refunding stakes if the game ends level. Those who want to focus on totals can look at overall goals, points, or sets depending on the sport.
Handicap markets adjust the starting position by giving one side a virtual head start or deficit, which changes how the final result is settled. Specials inside a match, often called prop bets, cover specific events such as first goalscorer or the number of cards shown.
Three staples come up so often that a quick closer look is useful.
Match Result, Correct Score And Draw No Bet Explained
Match result is the straightforward pick: choose which team wins, or whether it finishes level. It is popular because it aligns directly with the final outcome.
Correct score narrows the focus to the exact scoreline, such as 2-1 or 1-1. Because so many exact results are possible, this market typically pays more than a simple match result but is harder to call precisely.
Draw no bet removes the draw from consideration. If the match ends level, the stake is returned. This option can appeal when you favour one side but want the draw safety net.
If the gap between teams looks uneven, handicaps offer another way to view the same match.
What Are Handicap And Asian Handicap Bets?
Handicap betting levels the playing field by applying a virtual start. A football team at -1 must win by more than one goal for backers to be paid, while a side at +1 starts with a one-goal advantage for settlement purposes. It is a common approach when one team is a clear favourite.
Asian handicap goes a step further by removing the draw from settlement. It often uses half goals, such as +0.5 or -1.5, so only two outcomes exist: win or lose. Quarter-goal lines like +0.25 or -0.75 split the stake between two nearby handicaps. For example, +0.25 places half the stake on 0 and half on +0.5, which can lead to a half-win or half-refund depending on the result.
These markets change how a match is framed without changing the action on the pitch, which is why many bettors use them alongside standard match result picks.
How Do Accumulators, Doubles And Multiples Work?
Accumulators, doubles and multiples combine more than one selection into a single bet. Each part usually needs to be correct for the full return to be paid.
A double links two selections. Both must win. A treble links three. An accumulator, often called an acca, involves four or more selections that all need to be right. The combined price is built by multiplying the odds together, which can increase the potential return but also means a single losing pick brings the whole bet down.
Multiples can also include full-cover options such as Lucky 15s or Yankees, which create a mix of singles, doubles, trebles and accumulators from a set of selections. With these, a return can still be generated even if not every pick wins, because several smaller combinations are in play.
If you prefer to respond to what is happening in real time, the next set of options will feel familiar.
What Are In-Play Betting And Cash-Out Options?
In-play betting, also known as live betting, allows wagers to be placed after an event has started. Prices update regularly to reflect what is happening, from momentum swings to injuries or key moments.
Live markets vary by sport and fixture. Football might offer next goalscorer, next team to score, or updated totals. Tennis often features current game, set, or match markets, with lines moving after almost every point.
Cash-out lets a bet be settled before the event ends. The amount offered depends on the latest odds, so it can be more or less than the original potential return. Some bookies also offer partial cash-out, allowing part of a bet to be settled while the rest stays active. Availability and rules differ by market and event, so it is worth checking how each option works where you bet.
With the main features covered, it is a short step to the markets that focus on specific moments rather than just the final score.
What Are Prop Bets And Specials At Bookies?
Prop bets, short for proposition bets, centre on particular moments or statistics inside an event. In football, examples include first goalscorer, total corners, or number of cards shown. In tennis, props might cover aces or double faults.
Specials sit slightly outside standard performance markets. They can relate to events off the field, such as managerial changes or transfer moves, and can also include wider topics like award shows or television competitions during their seasons.
Because these markets can be highly specific, the settlement rules matter. Checking what counts for each bet avoids surprises when results are confirmed.
How Do Odds Formats And Payouts Work?
Odds are displayed in fractional, decimal, and sometimes American formats. In the UK, fractional is most common. Fractional odds show profit relative to stake. At 5/1, a £1 stake returns £5 profit plus the £1 stake if it wins.
Decimal odds include the total return. At 6.00, a £1 stake returns £6 in total if successful. American odds express the potential profit on a £100 baseline, but you will see them less frequently in the UK.
Payouts depend on both the odds and the stake. Most sites display the potential return on your bet slip before you confirm, so the numbers are clear in advance. If you are used to one format, consider sticking with it to keep comparisons simple.
Once you understand the prices, the final piece is how bets move from selection to settlement.
How Are Bets Placed And Settled At A Bookie?
Placing a bet follows a familiar path. You choose the sport, event and market, then select the outcome you want. It appears on a betting slip, where the stake is entered and a potential return is shown. Confirming the slip places the bet and deducts the funds.
When the event finishes, the bookie settles the market according to its published rules. If the selection wins, the return is added to the account balance or paid over the counter. If it does not, the stake is lost. For markets with special conditions, such as each way or handicaps, the settlement follows the stated terms for that bet type.
Sports are not the only focus at bookies, though. Many also price up current affairs and cultural events.
Can You Bet On Political And Entertainment Markets?
Many bookies offer non-sporting markets. Political betting can include elections, leadership contests, and major referendums, usually clustered around key dates when new information is available. Prices take into account polling, recent events and expert analysis.
Entertainment markets cover television and cultural events, such as reality show outcomes, award winners, and high-profile competitions. These appear when the relevant series or ceremony is active and may update as the field narrows.
These markets work like sports bets in how selections are made and odds are displayed, though settlement rules can differ. It is worth checking the terms on what counts as the official result and when a market is paid.
If you choose to bet, set limits that fit your circumstances and avoid chasing losses. If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
