Football and betting both have their own terms and phrases, and if you don’t know much about either of them then things can quickly get confusing or even intimidating. However, our A to Z football betting glossary gives you the full lowdown on all the lingo you might encounter if you’re new to betting on the world’s greatest sport.
Accumulator
An accumulator is a bet that can be placed on any sport but is loved by football fans in particular. Also known as an acca, this type of bet contains multiple unrelated selections. The smallest accumulator is a double, with two selections; for example Everton and Liverpool both to win on a given weekend. Accas can contain almost unlimited selections, although the more you add the harder they are to win as you only get a return if all legs of the acca are successful.
These bets are very popular because you can win huge amounts from a small stake, with the stake and winnings from each bet rolling over onto the next selection within the accumulator. Note that the selections within an acca must be unrelated – you can read more about that in our accumulator betting guide. Many sites have “acca insurance“, a great betting offer that gives you cash back as a free bet if just one leg of the acca lets you down.
Ante Post
Ante post betting is when you place a wager before the final field is declared, and whilst this most commonly relates to horse racing it can also apply to betting on football; for example, if you wager on who will win the World Cup during qualifying, or who will be the top Premier League goalscorer before the season starts.
Anytime Goalscorer
A market where you bet on a player to score at any point in the game (excluding extra time and penalty shootouts). Note that own goals don’t count.
Asian Handicap
An Asian handicap is a type of bet in which there are only two outcomes on which you can bet, so the draw is removed from the equation. This is often done by using a handicap of part of a goal, although you can also have a handicap of zero which means that if the game ends as a draw you get your stake back, effectively being the same wager as “draw no bet”.
Betting Exchange
A betting exchange differs from a traditional online bookmaker in that punters wager against each other rather than the bookie, often resulting in bigger odds, especially if you like backing outside bets.
BTTS / Both Teams to Score
BTTS, or both teams to score, is a type of bet where you wager on – would you believe? – both teams scoring in a game. Some betting sites allow you to bet yes or no, whilst others only allow you to bet on both teams scoring.
Correct Score
A market where you bet on what the full time score will be, including injury time but not extra time. You can also place half time correct score bets with most bookies.
Double Chance
A double chance bet covers two out of three possible match results; for example, the draw and the home win or the home win and away win. Some such bets can also be covered by an Asian handicap bet; for example, backing a side +0.5 goals is the same as draw/win.
Draw No Bet
Draw no bet is a market whereby if the game is a draw your stake is refunded, and this is the same as the Asian handicap +0 market.
Each Way
An each-way bet is actually two bets in one, with half the stake going on the selection to win and half on it to place. In football terms, an each-way bet may cover a team making the final of a cup or tournament, a player finishing in the top two or three in the top scorer market, or other similar markets.
Evens
Evens is the same thing as odds of 1/1 or 2.0 in decimal odds, also referred to as “even money”. Basically, you win the same amount as your stake.
Exposure
Exposure is the amount you stand to lose from a bet, usually a lay wager at a betting exchange.
First Goalscorer
A bet on which player will score first. As with anytime goalscorer and last goalscorer, own goals don’t count and nor do extra time or penalties.
Handicap
Handicap betting gives one side a head start of a certain number of goals, but unlike an Asian handicap the draw is still available as an outcome.
Heinz
A combination bet similar to a Lucky 63 (see below) but excluding the six singles, meaning a total of 57 bets – just like Heinz’ 57 varieties.
In-Play Betting
Betting in-play means placing wagers during the game, after kick-off. Markets are available in-play that are not available pre-match.
Last Goalscorer
Who will score last in a game, excluding own goals, extra time and penalties.
Lucky 15
A Lucky 15 is a bet said to have been invented by Betfred that works a little like an accumulator and involves four selections. It is 15 bets in one and covers all selections, ranging from four singles on each selection, all six possible doubles, four trebles, and one fourfold acca.
Lucky 31
As above but with five selections and thus a total of 31 bets. A £1 Lucky 31 costs £31 to place, and whilst any single win will give you a return, you need three or more (usually) to come up with a net win.
Lucky 63
As above but with six selections and 63 bets in total.
Multiple
Multiples is a term sometimes used interchangeably with accumulators (see above). Alternatively, a multiple bet may refer to a wager such as a Lucky 15 and may also be called a combination bet.
Super Yankee
Like a Yankee (see below) but with five selections and a total of 26 bets.
Void Bet
Aa bet may be voided (which means canceled) for a number of reasons, most commonly if a game is abandoned or postponed or no longer valid for some other reason.
Yankee
A Yankee is like a Lucky 15 (see above) but excludes the singles, so at least two selections must win for you to gain any return from this 11-bet combination wager.