It works like this: instead of placing two or more individual bets (on the same or different games), you bet that all your guesses will happen at the same time. By doing this, the bookmaker will give you better odds options. Since it is harder to get right, your return will be higher.
Bookmakers like this option because of the great potential for profit. For example, say you bet $10 that Vasco da Gama will beat Botafogo at odds of 1.90. At the same time, you also bet $10 on Santos beating São Paulo, also at odds of 1.90 at Bodog. If both teams win, you will receive R$ 38. However, instead of placing two R$ 10 bets, you could choose to place a R$ 20 double bet. In this case, your winnings would be $52, but you would need both teams to win.
Bookmakers also like this option, for a different reason. By using multiple bets, they require punters to make perfect guesses. In the example above, let’s say Santos draw with São Paulo. If you placed two separate bets, you would have lost one and won the other, leaving you with a R$1 loss. However, if you placed the double bet, you would have lost all of the R$20.
It’s hard enough to win a bet. Therefore, despite the increase in the possible prize, multiple bets are usually not worth the risk in the long run. However, as every rule in life has its exceptions, there is a time when placing a multiple bet can be advantageous: when you find some correlation between good guesses.
Related guesses
Guesses that are totally related will not be accepted by the bookmaker. For example, you cannot put in a double bet that one team will win the first half of the game and that they will win the whole game. These two guesses are directly related, and will not be accepted. However, you can bet on which team will win the game and if the amount of goals will be more/less.
Let’s say Gremio’s defence has been flawless in recent times, and will face Internacional’s strong attack. You like Gremio, but you know that they will only be able to win if they keep the score low. In this situation, it makes sense to create a double bet with Gremio winning and a minus score. The events are semi-related, as you expect Gremio to win only if they play defensively.
When you go to take a chance on the multi bet, try to find good correlations like this.
Over/Under Bets
It is often the best type of bet you can place on a match, especially when the two teams involved are very evenly-matched. When it’s difficult to pick a winner, you may be able to predict how many points the teams will score combined. This betting option is also known as “totals”.
Betting on Totals, or Plus/Minus
Several factors influence the outcome of a game. The teams’ backline, the importance of the match, the weather conditions, which players will be missing. In some cases, these factors favour players to score many points. In other cases, they make it difficult for both teams. By waiting for a match, you can get an idea of how many points it will have. This is where the plus/minus option comes in.
Let’s take a Fla-Flu example.
There will be a Flamengo x Fluminense match, and the duel is very even. It’s hard to choose. But here’s the thing: you have the option to bet on plus/minus on the number of goals. The bookmaker has set the number 2.5. You have two betting options:
- More than 2.5 = Together, both teams need to score 3 goals or more.
- Less than 2.5 = Both teams need to score 2 goals or less combined.
- In a 1-1 result, the winner is “less than”. In a 2-1 result, the most of wins. Just add up the number of goals scored by both teams. Simple, isn’t it?