Types of Bets and How Each One Works

Understand how each type of bet functions and which one is best for beginners.

When faced with the many types of sports bets, beginners often feel confused and unsure where to start. There are various kinds of bets tailored to different betting profiles. Some are more suitable for beginners as they are simpler to understand, easier to analyze in terms of probability, and more straightforward to place.

Here are some of the most commonly used types of bets: single bet, multiple bet, combination bet, head-to-head bet, and handicap bet. Below, you’ll find brief explanations of each one, helping you discover which type matches your profile so you can participate in the best sports betting opportunities.

Popular Bookmakers in Nigeria

In Nigeria, sports betting is a growing market with many legal bookmakers offering a wide range of betting options. Among the top choices for bettors are betshop Surebet247, Bet9ja, and NairaBet. These platforms offer various types of bets, including the ones discussed in this article, and are known for their user-friendly interfaces, competitive odds, and promotions tailored for Nigerian bettors. Whether you're new to betting or experienced, these bookmakers provide an excellent starting point for Nigerian sports enthusiasts looking to explore the betting world.

Single Bet

This is the simplest and easiest type of bet. Essentially, you are betting on the outcome of a single event. There's no complication involved. You wager on either a win, loss, or draw in a match.

Multiple Bet

A multiple bet is more complex as it involves betting on two or more events at the same time. To win, all the events in your bet must be correct. The upside is that when you win a multiple bet, the payout is very high. However, the downside is that the chances of losing are also significant.

Combination Bet

This is also a very popular type of bet and quite similar to the multiple bet. The key difference is that with combination bets, you don’t have to get every result correct to win.

The most common ways to bet this way include:

Mode 2/3 – You place 3 bets and need to get at least 2 correct;
Mode 2/4 – You place 4 bets and need to get at least 2 correct;
Mode 2/5 – You place 5 bets and need to get at least 2 correct.

Head-to-Head Bet

This type of bet is made through a direct comparison between athletes or teams. For example, you can bet that Team X will finish ahead of Team Y in the league. Another example would be betting in a Formula 1 race, where you predict that Driver A will finish ahead of Driver B.

Handicap Bet

This is a very common type of bet, although it may seem complex at first glance. Handicap bets account for the strengths and weaknesses of the teams involved. For example, if a top-tier team is playing against a lower-division team, the odds might heavily favor the stronger team.

Handicap betting aims to level the playing field by giving the weaker team a virtual advantage in the betting market. For instance, if you're betting on the stronger team to win, you may need to wager on how many goals they will win by. The extra condition attached to the bet often means that the payouts in handicap bets are higher than those in simple bets.