What is a bet builder? A simple guide to how bet builders work

Scott Allen
18 September 2024

No idea what a bet builder is? Our simple guide will explain it all and give you the best advice on how to create them.

Want to spice up a dull midweek fixture or a Super Sunday match that you’ve got little interest in? Perhaps the expert knowledge of your own team deserves more financial recognition. Well that’s where the bet builder comes in.

Gone are the dull days of predicting scoreless draws or home bankers. The bet builder gives you the opportunity to personalise your bets in a wide range of markets; everything from corners to cards, shots to fouls.

The bet builder has it all.

What is a bet builder?

A bet builder is a very flexible way of customising a bet to suit your needs. You can combine a number of selections to create your own wager from one sporting event and enhance your odds accordingly.

Bet builders can be created with three or more selections. The more legs you add to your bet builder the more your odds will increase, but at the same time the window for success also decreases.

For example, a ten-legged bet builder might generate odds of well over 100/1, but the chances of all ten landing are slim.

How to use a bet builder?

Find the match you wish to bet on and select the bet builder tab, then make your selections from the bet builders menus, add your stake and then place your bet.

The beauty of a bet builder is the wide variety of the scenarios you can select, everything from the more common selections such as match result all the way down to player tackles.

Bookmakers have large bet builder menus, which will include some of the following selections.

But be aware not all these markets will be available for every match, especially for smaller teams in lower divisions.

Result

Both Teams To Score

First/last/anytime goalscorers

Assists

Goals Over/Unders

Corners Over/Unders

Cards Over/Unders

Player Shots/Shots on Target

Player Passes/Tackles/Fouls/Offsides

Player Cards

Team Shots/Shots on Target

Team Passes/Tackles/Fouls/Offsides

Player Cards

Asian handicaps

Free Kicks

Goal Kicks

Throw Ins

For example, you could create a bet builder based on the performance of just one player. Loading your bet builder with passes, tackles, fouls, shots, goals, assists and offsides.

What’s the difference between a bet builder and an acca?

Bet builder and accas are very similar, but a bet Builder is focused on a single event while the acca is across a number of events.

The acca includes bets on unrelated events in one wager, the bet builder is based on multiple scenarios happening in one match.

How do you win with a bet builder?

All the legs you have selected must be successful to win a bet builder. Some bookmakers offer insurance, such as ‘money back’ if one bet builder leg lets you down or ‘super sub’ to keep your bet active.

Is cash out available on bet builder?

Yes, the majority of bookmakers offer cash out on bet builders

How are the odds of a bet builder calculated?

All selections for a bet builder, however varied, have individual odds. These odds are multiplied together to give the overall price for the bet.

What are the benefits of a bet builder?

- Simple to construct

- Odds can be bigger depending on the amount of legs you add, more legs more risk

- Variety of selections keeps the event entertaining and

- Most bookmakers offer the option to cash out

- Bet builders can be still active until the final moments of an event

What are the negatives of a bet builder?

- Chances of success are slimmer the more legs added to the bet builder

- Cash out could be blocked by the bookmaker depending on the status of the match

What is a multi-match bet builder?

Several bookmakers have recently introduced a Multi-Match Bet builder, usually just for top flight football matches, where you can bet on different outcomes from separate games to enhance your odds.

What is a super-sub?

Your bet is transferred to the substitute if your original player is replaced.

For example you had selected England's Harry Kane to have a shot on target but he is substituted without having a shot on target. Cole Palmer is brought on as his replacement and the shot on target bet remains active. If Palmer has a shot on target that selection is a winner.

Super-sub is only available with certain bookmakers and only applies to their selection of markets.

Do bet builders include extra-time?

The majority of bet builders are active for the 90 minutes plus any added time that might be needed. Extra-time and penalties are not taken into consideration unless the bookmaker has made specific markets for that part of the match available.