Bet types: from singles to systems
The shape of a slip matters as much as the choice of match. A single and an eight-leg accumulator can carry the same stake, yet the risk and the hidden margin are completely different. Below is each bet type with a worked example.
Single
One selection per slip. Return = stake × odds. Example: 20 at 1.90 → 38 (example figures, not Bilionro odds or terms). It is the most transparent form: one outcome, one margin.
Accumulator
Several selections on one slip; all must win. Odds multiply. Example: three legs at 1.80, 1.90 and 2.00 → combined odds 6.84; 10 can become 68.40 (example figures, not Bilionro odds or terms). The catch: the bookmaker’s margin applies to every leg, so it compounds. With three legs at 5% margin each, the slip is roughly 14% below the “fair” price. With eight legs, more than 30%.
| Legs | Potential return | What happens to margin |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Small | One margin |
| 3 | Medium | Compounded three times |
| 8 | Large | Compounded eight times |
System bets
A system splits selections into several smaller slips. A “2 from 3” system has three selections and creates three doubles; you get something back if at least two selections win. The total stake multiplies by the number of combinations: 3 × 5 = 15 (example figures, not Bilionro odds or terms). A system lowers risk, and the return with it.
In-play
Placed during the event, with prices that change constantly. The upside: you see how the match is going. The downside: quick decisions, often higher margins and the urge to “fix” a slip that is going badly.
Cash-out
The option to close a slip before the end for an amount the operator offers. That amount includes a margin, so on average a cash-out is worth less than letting the slip run. It is useful to reduce risk, not as a strategy. Note: on many bonus offers, a cashed-out slip no longer counts towards wagering.
Handicaps and totals
These are market types rather than slip types, and they combine with any of the forms above. They are explained in our football, tennis and basketball guides.
What to choose
For a small, steady budget, singles are the most honest. Long accumulators are entertainment at big odds, not a way to win. Keep the stake per slip a fixed share of the bankroll, as described on the sports betting page.