What Is a Single Bet?
A single bet is the simplest and most common type of wager in sports betting. You pick one outcome from one event, and if your prediction is correct, you win. If it’s wrong, you lose your stake. There are no complications, no multiple selections, and no complex calculations needed.
Examples of single bets:
- Manchester United to beat Liverpool
- Over 2.5 goals in a football match
- Roger Federer to win in straight sets
- A horse to win a race
- The Lakers to cover the spread
Single bets are perfect for beginners because they’re easy to understand, and they’re also popular with experienced bettors who want to back a strong selection with confidence.
How the Single Bet Calculator Works
Our calculator takes two pieces of information and instantly shows you what you could win:
| Input | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Odds | The price offered by the bookmaker (e.g., 5/1, 2.50, +150) |
| Stake | How much money you want to bet |
The calculator then shows you:
- Payout - The total amount returned if you win (stake + profit)
- Profit - Your actual winnings (payout minus your original stake)
The Formula
For decimal odds, the calculation is straightforward:
Payout = Stake × Decimal Odds
Profit = Payout - Stake
Example: You bet $10 at odds of 3.00
- Payout = $10 × 3.00 = $30
- Profit = $30 - $10 = $20
Understanding Odds Formats
Our calculator supports all three major odds formats used worldwide:
Decimal Odds (European)
The most straightforward format. The number represents your total return for every $1 staked.
| Decimal Odds | $10 Stake | Total Return | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | $10 | $15 | $5 |
| 2.00 | $10 | $20 | $10 |
| 3.50 | $10 | $35 | $25 |
| 10.00 | $10 | $100 | $90 |
Fractional Odds (UK/Ireland)
Shows profit relative to stake. “5/1” means you win $5 for every $1 staked.
| Fractional | Decimal Equivalent | $10 Stake Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 1.50 | $5 |
| Evens (1/1) | 2.00 | $10 |
| 5/2 | 3.50 | $25 |
| 9/1 | 10.00 | $90 |
American Odds (US)
Positive odds show profit on a $100 stake. Negative odds show how much you need to stake to win $100.
| American | Decimal Equivalent | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| -200 | 1.50 | Stake $200 to win $100 |
| +100 | 2.00 | Stake $100 to win $100 |
| +250 | 3.50 | Stake $100 to win $250 |
| +900 | 10.00 | Stake $100 to win $900 |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Football Match Winner
You want to bet on Arsenal to beat Chelsea. The bookmaker offers odds of 2.10 (decimal).
- Your stake: $50
- Calculation: $50 × 2.10 = $105
- Potential payout: $105
- Potential profit: $55
If Arsenal wins, you get $105 back ($50 stake + $55 profit).
Example 2: Horse Racing with Fractional Odds
You fancy a horse at 7/2 in the 3:30 at Ascot.
- Your stake: $20
- Fractional 7/2 = Decimal 4.50 (7÷2 + 1 = 4.50)
- Calculation: $20 × 4.50 = $90
- Potential payout: $90
- Potential profit: $70
Example 3: NBA with American Odds
The Boston Celtics are -150 favorites against the Knicks.
- Your stake: $75
- American -150 = Decimal 1.67 (1 + 100/150 = 1.67)
- Calculation: $75 × 1.67 = $125.25
- Potential payout: $125.25
- Potential profit: $50.25
What Is Rule 4 and When Does It Apply?
Rule 4 is a deduction applied in horse racing when a horse is withdrawn from a race after betting has started. Because the remaining horses now have better chances of winning, bookmakers reduce payouts proportionally.
Rule 4 Deduction Scale
| Odds of Withdrawn Horse | Deduction |
|---|---|
| 1/9 or shorter | 90p in the £ |
| 2/11 to 2/17 | 85p |
| 1/4 to 2/9 | 80p |
| 3/10 to 2/7 | 75p |
| 1/3 to 4/11 | 70p |
| 4/9 to 8/15 | 65p |
| 8/13 to 4/5 | 55p |
| 5/6 to 20/21 | 50p |
| Evens to 6/5 | 45p |
| 5/4 to 6/4 | 40p |
| 13/8 to 7/4 | 35p |
| 15/8 to 9/4 | 30p |
| 5/2 to 3/1 | 25p |
| 10/3 to 4/1 | 20p |
| 9/2 to 11/2 | 15p |
| 6/1 to 9/1 | 10p |
| 10/1 to 14/1 | 5p |
| Over 14/1 | No deduction |
Rule 4 Calculation Example
You bet $100 on a horse at 4/1 (decimal 5.00). Another horse withdraws at 2/1, triggering a 30% Rule 4 deduction.
Without Rule 4:
- Payout = $100 × 5.00 = $500
- Profit = $400
With 30% Rule 4:
- Original profit = $400
- Deduction = $400 × 0.30 = $120
- Adjusted profit = $400 - $120 = $280
- Final payout = $100 + $280 = $380
Our calculator handles Rule 4 automatically when you enable it and select the deduction percentage.
When to Use Single Bets
Single bets are ideal in these situations:
1. When You Have a Strong Selection
If you’ve done your research and feel confident about one particular outcome, a single bet lets you back it without diluting your stake across multiple selections.
2. For Bankroll Management
Single bets have a higher strike rate than accumulators. While the returns are smaller, consistent winners build your bankroll steadily over time.
3. When Learning to Bet
New bettors should start with singles to understand how odds work and develop their analysis skills before moving to more complex bet types.
4. For Value Betting
Professional bettors often focus on singles because it’s easier to identify value in one market than across multiple selections.
Single Bets vs. Accumulators
| Factor | Single Bet | Accumulator |
|---|---|---|
| Risk | Lower | Higher |
| Potential Return | Lower | Higher |
| Win Probability | Higher | Lower |
| Skill Required | Moderate | High |
| Best For | Consistent profits | Big wins from small stakes |
The math: If you have a 60% win rate on individual selections:
- Single bet win chance: 60%
- 4-fold accumulator win chance: 60% × 60% × 60% × 60% = 13%
Tips for Single Betting Success
-
Shop for the best odds - Different bookmakers offer different prices. Even small differences add up over time.
-
Set a staking plan - Never bet more than 1-5% of your bankroll on a single bet.
-
Keep records - Track all your bets to identify strengths and weaknesses in your betting.
-
Focus on value - Don’t just bet on what you think will win; bet when the odds are better than the true probability.
-
Specialize - Focus on sports, leagues, or markets you know well rather than betting on everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my single bet is void?
If your selection is void (e.g., match postponed, player doesn’t participate), your stake is returned in full.
Can I cash out a single bet?
Most bookmakers offer cash out on single bets, allowing you to take a profit or cut losses before the event finishes.
What’s the minimum stake for a single bet?
This varies by bookmaker, typically ranging from $0.10 to $1.00.
Are single bets better than accumulators?
For long-term profitability, yes. Singles have better expected value because you don’t compound the bookmaker’s margin across multiple selections.
Start Calculating
Use our free single bet calculator above to work out potential returns on any wager. Simply:
- Select your odds format (Decimal, Fractional, or American)
- Enter the odds offered by your bookmaker
- Enter your stake amount
- Enable Rule 4 if applicable (horse racing)
- See your potential payout and profit instantly
The calculator updates in real-time as you type, making it easy to compare different stake amounts and find the right bet size for your bankroll.