Sports Betting at Billybet: Odds, Markets and Live Wagers
Ice Hockey: Three-Way Market Only in Regular Time
The three-way market in ice hockey betting is limited to regular time outcomes. This means overtime periods and shootouts do not count towards the bet's resolution. Matches in leagues like the NHL or DEL typically offer 80–150 markets per game. The margin on the main three-way market before the game starts is between 4–7%.
Bets placed on the three-way market are only settled based on the score at the end of regulation time, excluding any overtime or shootout. This contrasts with other sports where such outcomes might be included. For example, in Eishockey, markets focus on the score after 60 minutes. The house edge in these specific markets ranges from 4% to 7%.
Understanding this distinction is crucial for ice hockey bettors, as a game that ends in a tie after regulation and is decided in overtime would result in a push for a three-way bet. For instance, a bet on a team to win in regular time would lose if they only secured victory after the overtime period. This specific market structure impacts payout calculations and bettor strategy.
odds, markets and Live betting
System bet not divided by three combinations
System bets offer a way to combine multiple selections into various smaller bets, providing a safety net if not all selections win. A system bet is not necessarily divided into three equal combinations. For example, a 3/4 system bet involves four selections, where all possible combinations of three selections are made, resulting in four separate bets. This structure differs from a simple accumulator.
The structure of a system bet dictates the number of unique combinations formed. A common example is a 'double' system bet with three selections, which results in three separate two-selection bets. The total stake is divided equally among these combinations. For instance, a 10 EUR stake on a 3/4 system bet would mean each of the four combinations has a 2.50 EUR stake.
When considering system bets, it is important to note that the division of stake is not always into three. Depending on the system chosen (e.g., 2/3, 3/4, 4/5), the number of combinations, and thus the stake distribution, will vary. This diversification allows for potential returns even if one or two selections fail, provided the remaining selections win according to the system's rules.
When is Over 2.5 Won?
A bet on 'Over 2.5' is won when the total number of goals or points scored in a match exceeds 2.5. This typically applies to sports like football, where goals are the primary scoring metric. For instance, if a football match ends with a score of 2-1, the total goals are 3, which is over 2.5. This bet type is common in football leagues globally.
In football, a score of 3-0, 2-1, 1-2, or 0-3 would all result in the 'Over 2.5' bet being successful, as the total goals (3) are greater than 2.5. Bets on 'Under 2.5' would lose in these scenarios. The margin for football's 1X2 market before kick-off is usually between 4% and 7%, and around 6% to 9% live.
The .5 in 'Over 2.5' ensures there are no ties for this specific wager, meaning the bet will always either win or lose, without the possibility of a 'push'. This is a standard feature in many betting markets to simplify outcomes. For example, a 1-1 draw (2 goals total) would result in an 'Under 2.5' bet winning and an 'Over 2.5' bet losing.
Outrights Settled Only After Months
Outright bets, also known as long-term bets, are placed on the winner of an entire competition, such as a league title or a tournament. These bets are only settled once the competition has concluded, which can often take weeks or months. For instance, a bet on the champion of a football league might not be resolved until the end of the season. The margin on outright markets can be as high as 12–20%.
The nature of outright betting means that punters must wait for the full duration of the event to see their bet resolved. This contrasts sharply with pre-match or in-play bets that are settled within hours or minutes. A bettor placing a wager on the winner of a tennis Grand Slam will have their stake tied up until the final is played. Typical margins for these markets are between 12% and 20%.
Due to the extended waiting period and the inherent uncertainty of long-term events, outright bets often come with higher potential odds. For example, a championship title bet at odds of 8.00 with a 10 EUR stake would yield 80 EUR in payout, representing a 70 EUR net profit. The significant margin in these markets reflects the bookmaker's assessment of the increased risk and delayed settlement.
Place Live Bet Despite 3–8 Second Delay
Placing live bets on sporting events typically involves a brief delay, usually ranging from 3 to 8 seconds. This delay is implemented to allow the bookmaker to adjust odds in response to unfolding events in the game. During this short window, the bet is held pending confirmation. For example, in live football betting, a goal or a red card can cause rapid odds fluctuations.
Despite the 3–8 second delay, live betting remains a dynamic way to engage with sports. This timeframe allows for strategic placement of bets as the game progresses. For example, if a team is trailing but showing strong offensive pressure, a bettor might anticipate a goal and place a live wager. The market for live football betting can offer margins between 6% and 9%.
The delay ensures the bet is placed at the odds that were displayed at the moment of confirmation, preventing instances where odds change significantly between the bettor clicking and the bet being accepted. This system is standard across most online sportsbooks offering in-play betting. For instance, markets like Eishockey have a similar delay for live bets, reflecting the fast-paced nature of the sport.
Sports, markets and margins in the betting offer
Sport
Markets per Match
Margin
Live Betting
Highlight
Cricket
80–150 Märkte pro Match, weniger bei T20-Ligen zweiter Reihe
5–9 % im Siegermarkt, 8–12 % bei Spielerwetten
ja
Marge hängt stark vom Format ab
E-Sport (CS2, Dota 2, LoL)
40–120 Märkte pro Match bei großen Turnieren, 10–25 bei kleinen Events
4–7 % bei CS2-Top-Turnieren, 6–10 % bei Dota 2 und Nebenmärkten
ja
Map-Handicaps und Runden-Totals zentral
Boxen
25–50 Märkte pro Kampf
5–8 % im Siegermarkt, 9–13 % bei Rundenwetten
ja
Favoriten oft unter Quote 1,20
Formel 1
60–120 Märkte pro Rennwochenende inklusive Qualifying
3–5 % bei Fahrer-Duellen, 12–20 % bei Outrights auf den Rennsieger
ja
Duelle günstiger als Langzeitwetten
Rugby
60–120 Märkte pro Spiel der großen Ligen
5–8 % im Hauptmarkt, 8–11 % bei Versuchsschützen
ja
Handicap wichtiger als reine Siegwette
MMA
30–60 Märkte pro Kampf, je nach Kartenposition
5–8 % im Siegermarkt, 8–12 % bei Siegmethode
ja
Siegmethode und Rundenwetten sehr beliebt
Tischtennis
20–40 Märkte pro Match, meist Satz- und Punktewetten
6–10 %, live häufig über 10 %
instant
Täglich hunderte Matches, stark live-lastig
Basketball
150–250 Märkte pro NBA-Spiel, inklusive Spielerwetten
3–5 % bei Handicap und Über/Unter, 4–6 % Moneyline
ja
Handicap und Totals statt Siegwette
Volleyball
40–80 Märkte pro Match der Top-Ligen
5–8 % im Siegermarkt, 8–11 % bei Satzergebnissen
ja
Satzwetten und Punkte-Totals dominieren
5.00 EUR refund on draw with −0.25
With an Asian Handicap of −0.25 on a draw, a stake of 10.00 EUR is split, with 5.00 EUR placed on 0 and 5.00 EUR on −0.5. Should the match end in a draw, the 5.00 EUR on the 0 handicap is returned. This means a total of 5.00 EUR is refunded from the original 10.00 EUR stake.
This specific type of Asian Handicap offers a partial refund in the event of a draw, reducing the overall risk compared to a standard handicap bet. While the potential payout is lower in case of a win, the safety net of a refund provides a more balanced betting proposition. The odds for this market are typically around 1.90.
A full loss occurs if the chosen team also loses the match, resulting in no return of the 10.00 EUR stake. The benefit of this market lies in mitigating losses when a draw is a strong possibility, making it a tactical choice for bettors who favour a more conservative approach.
Distribute 10.00 EUR Stake on Three Doubles
To distribute a 10.00 EUR stake across three double chance bets, each selection would receive 3.33 EUR. A double chance bet covers two of the three possible outcomes of a match, such as 1X (Home win or Draw). The odds for these bets are significantly reduced due to the increased probability of a win.
For instance, if a 1X bet has odds of 1.30, a 3.33 EUR stake would yield a payout of 4.33 EUR. This results in a net profit of 1.00 EUR per bet. Across three such bets, the total potential payout would be 12.99 EUR, with a total stake of 9.99 EUR.
The overall net profit from this strategy would be approximately 3.00 EUR, assuming all three double chance bets are successful. This approach aims for consistent, smaller wins rather than high-risk, high-reward bets, making it suitable for players seeking to manage their bankroll effectively.
Anytime Goalscorer 2.75 vs First Goalscorer 6.50
Betting on a specific player to score at any point in the match (Anytime Goalscorer) at odds of 2.75 with a 10.00 EUR stake would result in a payout of 27.50 EUR. This outcome is achieved if the player scores at any time, including in the final minutes.
Conversely, betting on the same player to score the first goal of the match, with odds typically ranging from 6.00 to 7.00, would offer a substantially higher payout. A 10.00 EUR stake at odds of 6.50 would yield 65.00 EUR if that player opens the scoring.
The significant difference in potential returns highlights the increased risk and reward associated with predicting the first goalscorer. While the anytime goalscorer bet offers more opportunities for a win, the first goalscorer bet provides a much larger payout for correctly anticipating the opening goal.
What distinguishes European from Asian Handicap?
European Handicaps typically involve whole numbers, such as -1 or +1, and a draw is always a possible outcome, meaning three potential results for the bet. Asian Handicaps, on the other hand, often use fractional numbers (e.g., -0.25, -0.75) and are designed to eliminate the possibility of a draw by splitting the stake or offering a refund.
The inclusion of half or quarter goals/points in Asian Handicaps means that bets can result in a push (stake returned) or a half-win/half-loss, which is not possible with European Handicaps. For example, an Asian Handicap of -0.25 means half the stake is on -0 and half is on -0.5.
European Handicaps are more straightforward with their three distinct outcomes: win, loss, or draw. Asian Handicaps introduce more complexity and strategic options, allowing for nuanced betting where the stake can be partially returned, thus reducing the overall risk in certain scenarios.
How much margin does an outright cost?
Outright bets on the winner of a Formula 1 race typically carry a margin of 12–20 %. This means that for every 100 EUR wagered by customers on outright race winners, between 12 EUR and 20 EUR is retained by the bookmaker, reflecting their profit margin.
In contrast, driver duels in Formula 1 have a considerably lower margin, often between 3–5 %. This makes betting on head-to-head matchups between two specific drivers more favourable for the bettor in terms of value compared to betting on the overall race winner.
The higher margin on outright bets signifies the increased difficulty and bookmaker risk associated with predicting a single winner from a large field of competitors. Bettors seeking better value would therefore find driver duels to be a more cost-effective market within Formula 1 betting.
Calculate Accumulator: 1.50 × 2.00 × 2.50
A three-leg accumulator bet with odds of 1.50, 2.00, and 2.50 would theoretically offer a total payout of 7.50 times the stake. This is calculated by multiplying the individual odds together: 1.50 multiplied by 2.00 equals 3.00, and then 3.00 multiplied by 2.50 results in 7.50. Such a bet requires all selections to be correct for any return.
In contrast, a system bet like a '2 out of 3' with the same selections and a stake of €10.00, distributed across three combinations at €3.33 each, would yield a return of €13.33 if two selections win. This system bet provides a payout even if one of the three legs is unsuccessful, offering a degree of protection compared to a full accumulator.
The potential payout for the accumulator is €7.50 per €1 staked, meaning a €10.00 bet could return €75.00 if all legs win. However, the system bet of €10.00, with two winning legs, returns €13.33, highlighting the trade-off between higher potential returns and the security of partial payouts.
NHL Main Market 4-7% vs Period Bets 7-10%
For NHL ice hockey games, the main markets such as the 1X2 outcome typically carry a margin ranging from 4% to 7%. This represents the bookmaker's built-in profit margin, with lower percentages generally indicating better value for the bettor. Top leagues like the NHL often feature competitive odds within this range.
However, when focusing on period-specific bets within the same NHL games, the margin can increase to between 7% and 10%. These specialized markets, while offering different betting angles, come with a higher cost for the player. This is a common trend across many sports, where more niche markets have a wider margin.
This difference means that a €100 bet placed on the main market at a 4% margin would have an expected return of €96, while a €100 bet on a period market at a 7% margin would have an expected return of €93. Bettors should be aware of these variations when selecting their wagers to maximise potential value.
-150 confused with +150: the consequences
Understanding American odds is crucial, as a negative number like -150 indicates the amount a bettor must wager to win €100. Therefore, to win €100, one would need to bet €150 at odds of -150. This format is common in sports betting, particularly in North America, and requires careful attention.
Conversely, odds of +150 signify the profit a bettor would receive on a €100 wager. A €100 bet at +150 odds would yield a profit of €150, resulting in a total payout of €250. This distinction is fundamental to calculating potential returns accurately.
Mistaking -150 for +150 could lead to significant financial miscalculations. A bettor intending to win €100 might incorrectly wager €100 at -150, only to win €66.67, or conversely, expect a €150 profit from a €100 bet at +150, when in fact the odds were -150, resulting in a smaller win.
Totals explained: Over 2.5 at 1.95
Totals bets, often referred to as Over/Under bets, involve wagering on whether the total number of goals, points, or other game events will exceed or fall short of a specific line set by the bookmaker. For instance, an 'Over 2.5 goals' bet requires the total to be 3 or more.
In the example of 'Over 2.5 goals' at odds of 1.95, a €10.00 stake would result in a payout of €19.50 if the condition is met. This represents a net profit of €9.50. If the total is 2 or fewer goals, the bet loses.
The odds of 1.95 suggest a bookmaker's margin, implying a payout of €19.50 on a €10.00 bet. This is a common market available across many sports, including football, where the total number of goals is a popular betting option.
Second-tier T20 leagues with fewer markets
Cricket betting includes markets for various T20 leagues, but second-tier competitions often present a more limited selection of betting options. While top leagues might offer 80–150 markets per match, smaller T20 events may only provide a fraction of these, focusing on more fundamental outcomes.
The margin on these reduced markets can also vary, typically falling between 5% and 9% for the outright winner market, and potentially 8% to 12% for player-specific bets. This wider margin, coupled with fewer market choices, can impact the overall value available to bettors in these less prominent leagues.
For example, a bettor looking for in-depth player statistics or specific over markets might find them unavailable in these secondary leagues, unlike in major tournaments. This means that while betting is still possible, the breadth of betting opportunities is significantly narrower compared to more established cricket events.