Betting Glossary

Returns

The amount the customer collects including the original stake. Sometimes customers mistakenly refer to returns as winnings.

Selection(s)

The horse, greyhound, football team etc. that the customer has predicted as a winner of a particular event. The selection can be identified in one of these ways:

1. By name

2. Trap or race card no.

3. Football - home (1), away (2), draw (X)

4. Horses 1st fav., 2nd fav., 3rd fav.

5. Greyhounds - 1st fav. Only

Show

A list of prices on an event publicised by SIS or a similar source.

Stake

The amount of money a customer wishes to wager on a particular selection.

Stake unit

The minimum stake needed for a particular speciality bet.

Starting prices/SP

The odds at which a wager is settled unless an alternative price is previously agreed.

Stewards enquiry

An investigation carried out by the stewards into any suspected infringements of the rules during a race.

Joint favourites

When 2 selections are at the same shortest price in an event.

Odds against

A betting price where the odds are greater than evens, i.e. the winnings are larger than the stake.

Odds on

A betting price where the odds are lesser than evens i.e. the winnings are smaller than the stake.

Pari-mutuel

Pari-mutuel is the French totalisator. English bookmakers frequently pay Pari-mutuel returns on major French events.

Permutations/perm

A term used most frequently in football betting meaning "any", e.g. "perm three from five" means trebles in five selections.

Balloted out

The process by which the number of runners in a race is reduced, on the occasions when more horses have been entered for a race than is permitted for safety reasons. This is done in ascending order of weight.

Bar price

Those runners in an event quoted without a price during early betting shows by SIS.

Dead-heat

Two or more runners that are considered to have finished the race together, i.e. the judge cannot separate them even after seeing the photo finish print.

Each-way

A term for a selection backed to win or be placed.

Favourite

The most backed entrant, i.e. the one with the shortest price. First show

The first list of prices for an event.

Forecast

A bet where you must predict the 1st and 2nd in a horse or greyhound race in the correct order.

Early prices

Prices offered on selected races that day in advance of racecourse betting.

Evens

A price in which the winnings are equal to the original stake money.

Full cover

The total number of doubles, trebles and accumulators in a given number of selections.

Handicap

A race in which competitors do not start on equal terms, e.g. horses carry extra weights, dogs have extra yards/metres to run.

If lose

A condition to the placing of a bet in which subsequent wagers depend on whether or not a previous selection loses.

Accumulator

A bet involving two or more selections. The returns from the first selection are invested on the second selection, the returns from which are invested on the third selection, and so on until the bet finishes.

All weather track

The surface of the track is designed to reduce the impact of the bad weather conditions, thereby reducing the likelihood of racing being unable to take place.

Ante-post betting

Ante-post prices are the prices offered on all major events before the day of the event. Bets are normally taken on the understanding that if the selection does not take part in the event (e.g. the horse does not run) the wager is lost.

Any to come betting ( a.k.a. If cash)

A term used when part of the returns from one bet are re-invested on a later bet.

Acceptance stages

The dates on which owners and trainers must decide whether or not to run their horses in a particular race.

Across the card

Betting on races at the same time at different meetings.

At the post

A term indicating that all the horses are at the starting point of the race.

B.A.G.S.

B.A.G.S. stands for Bookmakers' Afternoon Greyhound Service.

B.A.G.S. forecast

The computerised forecast dividend declared at B.A.G.S. greyhound meetings.

Board prices

The prices relayed from the racecourse during pre-race betting. These may be taken by customers and, if so, they are the price at which the bets are settled, regardless of the final returned starting price.

Co-favourite

When there are 3 or more selections at the same shortest price in an event.

Computer straight forecast (CSF)

Dividend declared to a £1 unit and paid to customers who successfully forecast 1st and 2nd in the correct order in a horse/greyhound race.

Reversed forecast double

A reversed forecast double is 4 bets, involving 2 reversed forecasts across 2 races. Both reversed forecasts must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second.

The following table shows how there are 4 possible winning outcomes to this bet.

	1	2	3	4
Race 1	a-b	a-b	b-a	b-a
Race 2	c-d	d-c	c-d	d-c

Any of the above combinations across the 2 races makes the double a winner.
Reversed forecast treble

A reversed forecast treble is 8 bets, involving 3 reversed forecasts across 3 races. All 3 reversed forecasts must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second and then onto the third.

£5 reversed forecast treble. (8 unit stakes @ £5, total stakes £40)

The following table shows how there are 8 possible winning outcomes to this bet.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Race 1	a-b	a-b	b-a	b-a	a-b	a-b	b-a	b-a
Race 2	c-d	d-c	c-d	d-c	c-d	d-c	c-d	d-c
Race 3	e-f	f-e	e-f	f-e	f-e	e-f	f-e	e-f

Combination forecast doubles and trebles

These involve combination forecasts across 2 races (doubles) or 3 races (trebles). Each combination forecast must be successful for the bet to win, with returns reinvested on subsequent selections.

The total number of bets in a cfc double or cfc treble is calculated by multiplying the number of bets in each cfc together.

Tricast betting

Tricast betting involves predicting 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in a horse or greyhound race. Tricasts are only available on handicap horse races with eight or more runners and featured greyhound race meetings.

Tricast dividends are declared after each race, based on starting prices and quoted to a £1 stake.

Straight tricasts (stc)

A straight tricast is 1 bet involving 3 selections in the same race to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order.

Reverse If bet

A Reverse If bet is 2 bets involving 2 to 12 straight play selections joined by conditions. Like a regular If bet, but the chain runs 2 ways, both down the betting slip and up the betting slip making two bets. Both 'Single' and 'Double Action' are available. Wherever there is a loser, the bet stops.

Not to Win (Lay bet)

Betting on a horse to not win their race.

Exacta

An exacta is a pool bet involving 2 selections in the same race, predicting 1st and 2nd place in the correct order.

Tote Swinger

A Toteswinger bet is when you select two horses to finish in the first three places. These bets are accepted in races of six or more runners nominated by Tote direct.

Reversed Exacta

A reversed exacta is 2 bets involving 2 selections in the same race to finish 1st and 2nd in either order.

Should an exacta bet contain a non-runner, the bet will be void.

Trifecta

A trifecta is a pool bet which involves predicting 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the same race. To be a succesful bet, the selections must finish in the exact order predicted. Should a trifecta bet contain a non-runner, the bet will be void.

Combination Trifecta

A combination trifecta is a pool bet bet which involves predicting 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the same race. To be a succesful bet, the selections can finish in any order. Should a trifecta bet contain a non-runner, the bet will be void.

Superfecta

A superfecta is a pool bet which involves predicting 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the same race. To be a succesful bet, the selections must finish in the exact order predicted. Should a superfecta bet contain a non-runner, the bet will be void.

Combination Superfecta

A combination superfecta is a pool bet which involves predicting 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the same race. To be a succesful bet, the selections can finish in any order. Should a superfecta bet contain a non-runner, the bet will be void.Straight forecast treble

A straight forecast treble is 1 bet, like a standard treble, involving 3 straight forecasts across 3 races. All 3 forecasts must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second and then onto the third.

Straight forecast patent

A straight forecast patent is 7 bets, like a standard patent, involving 3 straight forecasts across 3 races. The bet includes 3 singles, 3 doubles and 1 treble. Any one winning forecast guarantees a return.

Straight forecast yankee

A straight forecast yankee is 11 bets, like a standard yankee, involving 4 straight forecasts across 4 races. The bet includes 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 four-fold. Any two winning forecasts guarantee a return.

Combination forecast (cfc)

A combination forecast involves 3 or more selections in the same race, with any 2 to finish 1st and 2nd in any order to give a return.

The table below shows the 6 possible winning outcomes to this bet.

	1	2	3	4	5	6
Result	a-b	a-c	b-a	b-c	c-a	c-b

The return would be five times the forecast dividend.

The number of bets in a combination forecast is calculated by multiplying the number of selections by the preceding number e.g. for 3 selections, number of bets is 3 x 2 = 6.

Combination tricasts

A combination tricast involves 3 or more selections in the same race, with any 3 to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in any order, to give a return.

Any 3 of the 4 selections must finish in the first 3 places. The return would be £1 multiplied by the tricast dividend.

The number of bets in a combination tricast is calculated by multiplying the number of selections by it's two preceding numbers e.g. for 4 selections, number of bets is 4 x 3 x 2 = 24.

Showcast

A showcast is a fixed price forecast or tricast, based on our early prices or show from the racecourse. Available on UK and Irish horses, and Greyhounds.Teaser

A teaser is 1 bet involving 2 or more point spread or game total selections on football and basketball. A fixed number of points are bought or sold on all selections in the teaser. Pay out odds are fixed depending on the number of teams and the number of points bought or sold. All selections must be successful for the bet to win.

Buying points is simply changing the handicap and also the potential payout.

If bet

An If bet is 1 bet involving 2 to 12 straight play selections joined by a condition. There are two types: - (1) 'Single Action' where the player will have action on the second straight bet if the first play wins only, and so on in the chain of plays; (2) 'Double Action' where the player will have action on the second play only if the first play wins, ties, or the game is cancelled, and so on in the chain. Wherever there is a loser, the bet stops.

Union Jack

A union jack bet involves 9 selections in different events, written out as follows to form 8 groups of 3.

3 horizontal lines (1-2-3 / 4-5-6 / 7-8-9)
3 vertical lines (1-4-7 / 2-5-8 / 3-6-9)
and 2 diagonals (1-5-9 / 3-5-7)

1	2	3
4	5	6
7	8	9

Each group of 3 can be staked as trebles, patents or trixies. Therefore union jack trebles consist of 8 bets from 9 selections, union jack patents consist of 56 bets from 9 selections and union jack trixies consist of 32 bets from 9 selections.

Bonuses are offered on union jacks, when the selections are horses or greyhounds (not ante-post) or correct scores on soccer.

2 successful win trebles - 10% added to win returns
3 successful win trebles - 20% added to win returns
4 successful win trebles - 30% added to win returns
5 successful win trebles - 40% added to win returns
6 successful win trebles - 50% added to win returns
8 successful win trebles - 100% added to win returns

(N.B. In union jack patents and union jack trixies the above bonuses only apply to the trebles).

Forecast Betting

Forecast betting involves predicting 1st and 2nd places in a horse or greyhound race. Forecast dividends are declared after each race, based on starting prices and quoted to a £1 stake.

Straight forecast (sfc)

A straight forecast is 1 bet involving 2 selections in the same race to finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order.

Reversed forecast (rfc)

A reversed forecast is 2 bets involving 2 selections in the same race to finish 1st and 2nd in either order.

Straight forecast double

A straight forecast double is 1 bet, like a standard double, involving 2 straight forecasts across 2 races. Both forecasts must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second.
Straight forecast double

A straight forecast double is 1 bet, like a standard double, involving 2 straight forecasts across 2 races. Both forecasts must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second.

Heinz

A heinz consists of 57 bets involving 6 selections in different events, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds and 1 six-fold. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.

Lucky 63

A lucky 63 consists of 63 bets involving 6 selections in different events, 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds and 1 six-fold. Any one winning selection guarantees a return.

Lucky 63 bonuses apply to all sports and bet types, with the exception of US Sports, Numbers betting (Lottos etc), Goals Over/Under, Asian Handicaps, Goal Line and 2 way handicap betting on Rugby; and Horse racing Tote and Pari-mutuel bets. All selections must run at odds of 1/9 or longer for bonuses and consolations to apply. For 1 winner only, we pay double the odds. If all 6 selections win we pay a 25% bonus on total returns. If 5 selections win we pay a 10% bonus on the total returns. (N.B. Bonuses are not paid on place parts of each-way bets).

Alphabet

An alphabet consists of 26 bets involving 6 selections in different events, 2 patents (14 bets), 1 yankee (11 bets), and 1 six-fold (1 bet). Any one winning selection guarantees a return.

Bonuses are offered on alphabets, when the selections are horses or greyhounds (not ante-post) or correct scores on soccer. If all 6 selections win we pay a 10% bonus on total returns. (N.B. Bonuses are not paid on place parts of each-way bets).

Super Heinz

A super heinz consists of 120 bets involving 7 selections in different events, 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 four-folds, 21 five-folds, 7 six-folds and 1 seven-fold. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.

Goliath

A goliath consists of 247 bets involving 8 selections in different events, 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 four-folds, 56 five-folds, 28 six-folds, 8 seven-folds and 1 eight-fold. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.

Block

A block is a full cover bet involving 9, 10, 11 or 12 selections. All possible doubles, trebles and upward are included in a block. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.

Permed Yankee

A permed yankee involves 5 or 6 selections in different events; the yankee bets are made up of the possible combinations of four different selections.

The permed yankee would be 55 bets (5 individual yankee bets)

	Doubles	Trebles	Four-Folds
Yankee 1 - a,b,c,d	ab,ac,ad,bc,bd,cd	abc,abd,acd,bcd	abcd
Yankee 2 - a,b,c,e	ab,ac,ae,bc,be,ce	abc,abe,ace,bce	abce
Yankee 3 - a,b,d,e	ab,ae,ad,be,bd,ed	abd,abe,ade,bde	abde
Yankee 4 - a,c,d,e	ae,ac,ad,ec,ed,cd	acd,ace,ade,cde	acde
Yankee 5 - b,c,d,e	eb,ec,ed,bc,bd,cd	bcd,bce,bde,cde	bcde

Lucky 15

A lucky 15 consists of 15 bets involving 4 selections in different events, 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 four-fold. Any one winning selection guarantees a return.

If any 1 of your selections wins, 1 of the single bets gives a return. If any 2 of your selections win, 2 of the single bets and 1 of the doubles give a return. If any 3 selections win, 3 of the singles, 3 of the doubles and 1 of the trebles give a return. If all 4 selections win, then all 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and the four-fold give a return.

Lucky 15 bonuses apply to all sports and bet types, with the exception of US Sports, Numbers betting (Lottos etc), Goals Over/Under, Asian Handicaps, Goal Line and 2-way handicap betting on Rugby; and Horse racing Tote and Pari-mutuel bets. All selections must run at odds of 1/9 or longer for bonuses and consolations to apply. For 1 winner only, we pay double the odds. If all 4 selections win we pay a 15% bonus on total returns. (N.B. Bonuses are not paid on place parts of each-way bets).

Super Yankee

A super yankee consists of 26 bets involving 5 selections in different events, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds and 1 five-fold. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.

Lucky 31

A lucky 31 consists of 31 bets involving 5 selections in different events, 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles and 5 four-folds and 1 five-fold. Any one winning selection guarantees a return.

Lucky 31 bonuses apply to all sports and bet types, with the exception of US Sports, Numbers betting (Lottos etc), Goals Over/Under, Asian Handicaps, Goal Line and 2-way handicap betting on Rugby; and Horse racing Tote and Pari-mutuel bets. All selections must run at odds of 1/9 or longer for bonuses and consolations to apply. For 1 winner only, we pay double the odds. If all 5 selections win we pay a 20% bonus on total returns. (N.B. Bonuses are not paid on place parts of each-way bets).
Lucky 31

A lucky 31 consists of 31 bets involving 5 selections in different events, 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles and 5 four-folds and 1 five-fold. Any one winning selection guarantees a return.

Lucky 31 bonuses apply to all sports and bet types, with the exception of US Sports, Numbers betting (Lottos etc), Goals Over/Under, Asian Handicaps, Goal Line and 2-way handicap betting on Rugby; and Horse racing Tote and Pari-mutuel bets. All selections must run at odds of 1/9 or longer for bonuses and consolations to apply. For 1 winner only, we pay double the odds. If all 5 selections win we pay a 20% bonus on total returns. (N.B. Bonuses are not paid on place parts of each-way bets).

Trixie

A trixie consists of 4 bets involving 3 selections in different events, 3 doubles and 1 treble. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.

If any 2 of your selections win, 1 of the double bets gives a return. If all 3 of your selections win, all 3 of the doubles, and the treble give a return.

Patent

A patent consists of 7 bets involving 3 selections in different events, 3 singles, 3 doubles and 1 treble. Any one winning selection guarantees a return.

If any 1 of your selections wins, 1 of the single bets gives a return. If any 2 selections win, 2 of the single bets and 1 of the doubles give a return. If all 3 selections win, then all 3 singles, all 3 doubles and the treble give a return.

Permed Patent

A permed patent involves between 4 and 6 selections, with the patent being made up of all the possible combinations of three different selections.

The permed patent would be 28 bets (4 individual patents)

	Singles	Doubles	Trebles
Patent 1- a, b, c	a, b, c	ab, ac, bc	a, b, c
Patent 2 - a, b, d	a, b, d	ab, ad, bd	a, b, d
Patent 3 - a, c, d	a, c, d	ad, ac, cd	a, c, d
Patent 4 - b, c, d	b, c, d	bd, cd, bc	b, c, d

Yankee

A yankee consists of 11 bets involving 4 selections in different events, 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 four-fold. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.

If any 2 of your selections win, 1 of the doubles gives a return. If any 3 selections win, 3 of the double bets and 1 of the trebles give a return. If all 4 selections win, then all 6 doubles, 4 trebles and the four-fold give a return.

Quinella

A quinella is a single pool bet based on two selections in the same race. The selections can finish 1st and 2nd in any order for the bet to win. Should a quinella bet contain a non-runner, the bet will be void.

Single/Straight

A single or straight is a bet on 1 selection. Your selection must be successful to have a return.

Double

A double, round robin or 2 play parlay is 1 bet involving 2 selections in different events. Both selections must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second.

Treble

A treble or 3 play parlay is 1 bet involving 3 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Returns from the first are reinvested on the second and then onto the third.

Four-fold

A four-fold or 4 play parlay is 1 bet involving 4 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.

Arsenal, Sir Percy, Fernando Alonso and Tiger Woods would all have to win for the bet to be successful.

Five-fold

A five-fold or 5 play parlay is 1 bet involving 5 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.

Six-fold

A six-fold or 6 play parlay is 1 bet involving 6 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.