What is a Single Bet? Single Bet Explained

A straight bet on an event's outcome with returns determined based on the amount staked and the odds offered.

A single bet wins or loses depending on the outcome of the backed event. The person placing the bet must decide the amount they wish to stake. The higher the stake, the higher the potential winnings. If the selection loses, the bookmaker keeps the stake and returns nothing to the punter. If the selection wins, the stake is multiplied by the odds (fractions) to determine the profit, and both profit and stake are returned to the customer. Bookmakers offer higher odds on selections they believe are less likely to win. The higher the odds offered, the greater the winnings when the selection does win. The basic strategy is to place bets on selections you think are more likely to happen than the odds suggest. These are often described as "Value" bets.

A single bet can be modified into an each-way bet, to mitigate some risk by generating a return if the selection only finishes in a placing position See here for a full explanation.

Accepted anywhere that takes bets. Across all sports and countries, this is the one bet you can always rely on being available.

Single Examples

These are straightforward to work out, but a single bet calculator may come in handy for speed and avoiding human error.

The football match result below is used in the winning and losing examples:

Winning

Assuming a unit stake of £2 on Leeds to win at odds 2/1 the winnings would break down as follows:

• Returns = £2 * (2/1 + 1) = £6
• Profit = Returns - Stake = £4

Losing

Assuming a unit stake of £5 on Newcastle to win, the returns would break down as follows:

• The bet of Sunderland to win has lost, therefore this bet returns £0
• Profit/Loss = Returns - Stake = -£5

How To Place A Single Bet with bet365

1. Select the sport you want to bet on. For this example, we have selected football.

2. Make your selection and then enter the stake you are willing to place. Then, press the place bet section to complete the single bet process.

Reasons for making a Single Bet:

Now that we have explained a Single bet, we will consider why you would place one.

• Confidence in Outcome: If someone is highly confident in the outcome of a particular event or situation, they might choose to make a single bet. This confidence could stem from thorough research, analysis, or insider knowledge, giving them a strong belief that their chosen outcome will prevail.
• Risk Management: Single bets can be a way to manage risk, particularly if someone wants to limit their exposure to potential losses. By placing a single bet on a specific outcome, they risk only a set amount of money rather than potentially losing more through multiple bets or complex betting strategies.
• Simplicity and Focus: Single bets offer simplicity and focus, especially for those who prefer straightforward betting experiences. With a single bet, juggling multiple outcomes or complex betting structures is unnecessary. This simplicity can make betting more enjoyable and less stressful for some individuals.

The simplicity of a single bet makes it accessible to novice and experienced bettors. With just one decision required, there is less complexity involved than multi-bets or accumulator bets, where multiple outcomes must align for the bet to succeed.

This straightforwardness appeals to many bettors who prefer a straightforward and uncomplicated betting experience. Additionally, single bets allow for easy tracking of results and potential returns, as there's no need to monitor multiple events simultaneously.

It also allows better bankroll management, using a unit strategy with single bets. This means you can place a small number of units on a single outcome and minimise your loss exposure. If you go on a successful streak, you can increase the unit size accordingly. At the same time, should a run of bets go against you, you can also decrease your unit size.

Like any betting type, there will always be benefits and drawbacks. With this in mind, we shall look at the plusses and minuses of a Single bet.