Sports betting comes in different formats to suit different betting styles. Whether you’re new to betting or a seasoned pro, understanding the main types – ordinaries, expresses, and systems – is key to betting success.
Ordinary bets are single wagers on one event’s outcome. They’re reliable yet offer lower odds. Express bets combine multiple outcomes for potentially huge wins but carry risky all-or-nothing stakes. Systems balance risk and reward through combination bets with partial payouts.
Knowing these formats helps pick the right approach. We’ll explore real-world examples of each format’s calculation, and provide betting strategy tips. Let’s start with grasping ordinary bets.
Single Bet Simplicity
Ordinary or single bets are the most straightforward and reliable betting format. You wager on the outcome of one specific event, such as a football match or horse race. The calculation is simple – your potential winnings equal the odds multiplied by your stake.
For example, betting $100 on Team A to win at odds of +200 would pay out a $200 profit if they win (100 x 2.0 = $200). If Team A loses, you lose your $100 stake. This type of bet is commonly offered on various platforms, including 1win, which provides a user-friendly interface for placing such straightforward wagers.
Key facts about ordinary bets:
- Bet on one event only
- Reliable format to predict a single outcome
- Lower odds but a higher probability of winning
- Lose full stake if selection loses
- No complex calculations
With just one needed prediction, ordinary bets take the complexity out of sports wagering. Their simplicity makes them a popular starting point for beginner bettors too.
Ordinary Bet Calculation Example
Here is a step-by-step example of an ordinary bet calculation:
- Stake $100 on the New England Patriots at odds of +150 (underdogs)
- If the Patriots win, the payout is the stake multiplied by the odds:
- Stake = $100
- Odds = +150 (1.5)
- Calculation: $100 x 1.5 = $150 profit
- Add a profit of $150 to the original stake of $100 for a total payout of $250
- If the Patriots lose, the $100 stake is lost
Key points:
- Only one outcome is predicted – the Patriots to win
- Odds are expressed as a positive number (e.g. +150 = 1.5)
- The payout equals the stake multiplied by the odds
- A losing bet means the stake is forfeited
Multiplied Odds, Multiplied Risk
Express bets, also called accumulators or parlays, combine multiple ordinary bets into one wager. Instead of betting on just one event, express bets require you to correctly predict two or more outcomes.
For example, betting on Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea all to win has three discrete outcomes bundled into one bet. The risk and reward both multiply.
Key facts:
- Combine 2+ ordinary bets into one mega bet
- All predictions must be correct to win
- Odds for each selection are multiplied together
- Provides a chance for a huge payout from a small stake
- Lose the entire stake if just one pick loses
Express Bet Calculation Walkthrough
Let’s walk through an example express bet calculation:
- Bet on three teams to win:
- Barcelona at odds of +200
- Arsenal at odds of +150
- Manchester City at odds of +275
- Multiply all three teams’ odds:
- Barcelona: +200 (2.0)
- Arsenal: +150 (1.5)
- Man City: +275 (2.75)
- 2.0 x 1.5 x 2.75 = 8.25
- If all teams win, the payout odds are 8.25x
- Bet $50 at odds of 8.25x
- The potential payout is:
- $50 stake x 8.25 odds = $412.50
- Lose the full $50 stake if any team loses
Observations:
- Combining three +200 bets would produce 6.0 odds
- The express bet odds (8.25x) are much higher
- Winning risking $50 for a $412.50 payout is huge
- But one loser sinks the whole bet
Balancing Risk and Reward
System bets blend express bets’ multiplied odds with the reduced risk of partial payouts. Also known as full-cover bets, these specialized wagers allow you to win money even if not all your predictions prove correct. You can find these specialized wagers, including on platforms like 1win, which offer a variety of options for strategic betting.
Here’s how they work:
- Select teams/players to bet on as with an express bet
- Specify a system, like 3 out of 5 outcomes
- All express-style combinations are made from your picks
- You get paid for enough correct predictions
So if you miss some outcomes, you still collect on winning combinations. Lower risk than express bets comes with moderated reward versus the top payout.
Systems balance that express bet risk-reward pendulum. Losing some picks won’t bust the whole wager like express bets. But you sacrifice some pinnacle payoff versus getting everything perfect.
System Bet Calculation Example
Let’s walk through an example system bet calculation:
- Select 5 teams:
- Barcelona +200
- Juventus +150
- Liverpool +180
- AC Milan +220
- Inter Milan +300
- Specify “3 out of 5” system
- Possible 3-team combinations:
- Barca + Juve + Liverpool
- Barca + Juve + AC Milan
- Barca + Liverpool + AC Milan
- etc. (10 combinations total)
- If Barca, Juve and Liverpool win:
- Odds: 2.0 x 1.5 x 1.8 = 5.4
- $10 bet pays $54
- If Barca, Juve and Inter win:
- Odds: 2.0 x 1.5 x 3.0 = 9.0
- $10 bet pays $90
- Get paid for any winning 3-team combo bets
Observations:
- Lower odds than a 5-team express bet
- But the bet isn’t fully sunk if 2 teams lose
- Combos reduce risk and maximize winning chances
Betting Format Comparison
| Format | Odds Level | Risk Level | Calculation Complexity |
| Ordinary | Low | Low | Simple |
| Express | High | High | Moderate |
| System | Moderate | Moderate | Complex |
Ordinary Bets
- The single event makes for straightforward prediction
- Losing stakes stay small
- Calculating payout is easy
Express Bets
- Life-changing wins possible
- Losing bets sinks all stakes
- Multiplying odds adds calculations
System Bets
- Wins bolstered through combinations
- Risk reduced by partial payout openness
- Combinatoric complexity in computations
The choice depends on personal risk tolerance and math proficiency. Ordinary bets work for novices seeking simplicity. Express attracts risk-takers chasing big scores. Systems are for strategic players who love calculating combinations.
Ordinary Bet Strategy Tips
Apply these strategic tips to maximize ordinary bet success:
- Bet smaller stakes per wager – Losing streaks won’t badly damage the bankroll with lower stakes
- Target underdogs for longshots at better odds – Check if undervalued underdogs present betting value
- Specialize in a sport or league – Research and experience lead to better predictions
- Manage bankroll and set loss limits – Quit betting for the day after 2-3 consecutive losses as a stop-loss policy
- Review betting history – Identify strengths and weaknesses in prediction performance
- Line shop for best odds – Compare odds across multiple sportsbooks to place bets at the highest returns
Express Bet Strategy Tips
Use these tips to hit bigger express bet payouts:
- Add more legs to the accumulator – More combined outcomes mean higher ultimate odds
- Focus on favorites strongly expected to win – Reduce the risk of upsets sinking the whole bet
- Bet small stakes for chance at large returns – $10 can become $1000+ with enough legs
- Ensure sufficient bankroll – Absorb temporary losses until an accumulator lands to provide big profits
- Manage each prediction’s risk-reward – An unlikely upset pick may not be worth including
- Shop lines from various sportsbooks – A minor odds difference gets exponentially bigger
Strategies for System Bet Success
Utilize these tips for effective system bet performance:
- Select an appropriate system size – Larger systems have more combinations to hit but lower odds
- Include calculated longshots – An unlikely win still pays in any winning combos
- Structure combinations around favorites – Having likely winners anchor more combinations
- Run probability analyses on combinations – Quantify odds of different partial and full wins
- Reformulate based on statistical learnings – Favor lineups with more expected winning combos
- Adjust stake sizes across combos – Bet larger on more probable combo outcomes
