Reviewed by TipsterCheck Editorial TeamLast checked 29 October 2026MethodologyCorrections
Betting glossary · Tipsters
What is Next Best (NB)?
What is Next Best (NB)?
How Next Best (NB) Works
Most professional tipsters rank their daily selections by confidence. The NAP is the strongest, and the Next Best (NB) sits one rung below it. A few tipsters extend the hierarchy further, adding a third pick sometimes labelled 'Treble' or 'NB2'. The NB is not a throwaway selection — it still represents a bet the tipster considers worthwhile — but it does indicate a lower degree of conviction than the NAP.
In practice, many tipsters advise a standard level stake on both the NAP and the NB, meaning the ranking is informational rather than a staking instruction. Others suggest slightly larger stakes on the NAP — for example, 2 points on the NAP versus 1 point on the NB. There is no universal rule; each tipster sets their own system. When reviewing a tipster's record, it is worth checking whether NAPs and NBs are tracked separately, as this can reveal whether the confidence hierarchy is genuinely predictive or largely cosmetic.
Worked Example
A racing tipster posts the following on a Tuesday morning: NAP — Silverstone Prince (3:15 Newmarket, 5/2); NB — Coastal Dream (4:00 Haydock, 7/4). The NAP carries their highest confidence for the day, while the NB is a solid each-way case they rate highly but not quite as strongly.
If Silverstone Prince wins at 5/2 and Coastal Dream finishes second without placing terms covering second, the day produces a net profit on the NAP but a loss on the NB. Over a long season, a well-calibrated tipster's NAPs should, in theory, outperform their NBs on a like-for-like staking basis. If they do not — if NB returns are consistently superior — it raises questions about whether the tipster's grading system has any real analytical basis.
Why It Matters When Judging or Following a Tipster
The NB designation gives you a quick feel for how a tipster structures their service, but do not take the label at face value. A responsible review site — or a careful follower — should look at NB results separately from NAP results over a meaningful sample size, ideally 100 or more selections across each category. If both categories produce similar strike rates and yields, the hierarchy adds little practical value. If NAPs consistently outperform NBs, the tipster demonstrably grades their selections with some skill.
When comparing tipsters, also check whether the NB is proofed at advised odds or at starting price, and whether the staking recommendation differs from the NAP. A tipster who quietly inflates NB stakes after a winner, or who omits losing NBs from their records, is manipulating their reported profit in points. Always cross-reference a tipster's own figures with an independent proofing service before committing real money, regardless of how impressive their NAP or NB statistics appear on their own website.
Example: A tipster posts their NB as a 7/2 shot at Cheltenham; it obliges, but because their NAP lost the same afternoon, their daily profit in points is marginal rather than the strong return their headline NAP record might suggest.
FAQs
Does the NB always carry the same stake as the NAP?
Not necessarily. Some tipsters advise equal stakes on both; others recommend a smaller stake on the NB to reflect lower confidence. Always check the individual tipster's staking guidelines rather than assuming a standard approach.
What if a tipster only ever names a NAP and never an NB?
That is perfectly valid. Not every tipster uses a confidence hierarchy. Some post a single daily selection, which can make their record easier to track and verify. The absence of an NB is neither a positive nor a negative sign in itself.
Can I judge a tipster's quality from their NB record alone?
It can be a useful secondary indicator, but the sample size must be large enough to be meaningful. A few months of results is rarely sufficient; look for at least a full season of independently proofed NB selections before drawing firm conclusions.
More tipsters terms: Restricted Account (Gubbed), ROI (Return on Investment)