What Is a Single Bet? A Beginner’s Guide to Straight Wagers

What is a Single Bet?

Before placing a wager, it's crucial to understand the single bet meaning. A single bet involves betting on one selection from one event or match. It's readily available on all UKGC-regulated bookmakers like William Hill and Ladbrokes.

If your selection wins, you will win the bet. However, if it loses, you will lose the bet as well. Winnings are calculated by multiplying your stake by the odds to get your potential payout.

Here is how single bets work. Let's say you bet £5 on Leeds United to win against Liverpool at odds of 5/2 on Ladbrokes. If Leeds United defeat Liverpool, you'll win the bet (£5 × 5/2) and pay out £17.50. If Leeds United fail to win, you will lose the bet and stake amount.

How to Place a Single Bet

Once you're ready to place a single bet, the process is straightforward. Follow the steps below.

1. Visit a bookmaker of your choice. We recommend UKGC-regulated platforms like Ladbrokes and William Hill to ensure your safety.

2. Register an account with the betting site if you don't already have one. 

3. After signing up, make a deposit using any of the available payment options.

4. Now, go to the sports market and select a sport. Let's say you chose football. Pick a competition like the Premier League and select a match like Manchester United vs Chelsea.

5. Select the odds attached to a betting market like match winner, over/under, or correct score. The bookmaker will add your pick to the betslip.

6. Go to your betslip and input your stake amount. 

7. Tap “Place Bet” to complete the process.

The only thing you need to do now is to wait for the outcome of your bet. However, we encourage you to gamble responsibly. Only wager what you can afford to lose. If you're a beginner punter, wager in small bet sizes to manage your bankroll effectively.

Pros and Cons of Single Bets

So, what are the advantages of single bets, and are there any downsides? We've listed some of the pros and cons of single bets below.

Single Bet vs Accumulator Bet

You may try playing ACCAs if you want to explore more match options for more returns. It involves combining 2 or more selections from different events into a single bet slip. However, it comes with certain risks. All your picks must win to get a return.

For instance, you can add markets from Arsenal vs Coventry, Inter Milan vs Atalanta, and Bayern Munich vs Augsburg to your betslip. All three selections must win for you to get a payout.

So, single vs accumulator, which is better? Check the table below.

While single bets are perfect for lower risks, accumulator bets are more risky because one loss can ruin your entire selections. Nevertheless, ACCAs offer bigger payouts with smaller stakes. If you want to get a bigger payout with single bets, you must bet a higher stake, potentially increasing the risks. As a beginner, we recommend sticking to single bets until you’re confident of adding 2 or more stakes to your bet slip.

Tips for Making Successful Single Bets

The goal of every punter is to win. If you want to know how to win single bets, check the following advice.

• Research teams/events: This is a tip standard for every bet type. Conduct detailed research on each team to help with your decision. Check for injuries, available players, and head-to-head.

• Understand the odds: Find out how each market works and understand the odds attached to them. Know the favourites and underdogs and understand how to calculate your potential payouts. You can use bet calculators to estimate how much you can win even before you wager. 

• Manage bankroll: Set a bet size of how much you want to bet per wager. We recommend starting with lower stakes for proper bankroll management. Only bet what you can afford to let go and take some time off, often to stay in control.

• Avoid emotional betting: Not all bets offer value. Hence, do proper research and avoid emotional betting. If possible, don't wager on the team or player you support. Also, don't chase your losses. It's normal to win and lose in betting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As a beginner, it's easy to make mistakes when playing single bets. Here are some of them and how to avoid them.

• Chasing losses: Don't fall for the adrenaline that pushes you to try to recoup your previous loss. There is a chance you'll continue to lose more.

• Poor odds value: Since single bets offer lower returns, it's essential to look for value odds. Use odds comparison tools to evaluate odds for different bookmakers to take advantage of the slight difference.

• Ignoring form: When doing your analysis, pay attention to the form of both teams. Most betting apps provide statistics under each event to help you out.

We Recommend Reading These Guides...

• The Best Betting Sites in the UK - Click here for full guide

• How to Bet in-play on Premier League - Click here for full guide

• What is a Lucky 63 Bet? - Click here for full guide

• How to Read Premier League Betting Odds Like a Pro - Click here for full guide

Responsible Gambling 

Although single bets may help you manage your bankroll effectively, you must be intentional about preventing gambling addictions. Use responsible gambling tools like deposit and time limits to remain in control. All UKGC-regulated bookmakers also have the GamStop self-exclusion programme that helps you take a break for up to 5 years.

Note that you cannot bet if you're still under 18. Your bookmaker will ask you to upload a government ID to confirm your age and identity. You may also need to submit utility bills to verify your address in the UK.