Reviewed by TipsterCheck Editorial TeamLast checked 29 October 2026MethodologyCorrections
Betting glossary · Bet Types
What is Single?
What is Single?
How a Single Works
A single involves one stake placed on one selection at agreed odds. Your potential return is calculated by multiplying your stake by the decimal odds, or by using fractional odds to work out the profit and then adding your stake back. For example, a £10 stake at 3/1 (4.0 decimal) returns £40 in total — £30 profit plus your £10 stake returned. If your selection loses, you lose your stake in full. There is no partial recovery from other legs, as there would be in a double or accumulator.
The odds you receive can be fixed at the time of placing the bet, or you may take Starting Price (SP) if you prefer the price declared at the off. Some bookmakers offer Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) on certain markets, meaning you receive whichever is higher between your early price and SP. Deductions such as Rule 4 may apply in horse racing if a non-runner is withdrawn after markets are formed, reducing your winnings. Settlement rules, and whether void bets are refunded or treated as losers, can vary between bookmakers, so always check the terms.
Worked Example
A tipster advises backing a football team to win at 2/1 (3.0 decimal). You place a £20 single. If the team wins, your return is £60 — £40 profit plus your £20 stake back. If they draw or lose, your £20 is gone. The maths is immediate and transparent: you either win or you do not, and there are no other selections to complicate the outcome.
Now consider the same £20 split across an accumulator instead. If any one of five selections fails, you lose everything. The single keeps each bet isolated, meaning one bad result does not cascade into a total loss across several events. This isolation is exactly why singles are the standard benchmark for assessing tipster performance — each bet stands entirely on its own merits.
Why Singles Matter When Judging a Tipster
When reviewing a tipster's record at TipsterCheck, singles are the most reliable unit of measurement. Because each bet is independent, a long-running sequence of singles gives a clear picture of yield, strike rate, and profit in points without the distorting effect of compounded legs. A tipster who publishes only accumulator results is far harder to assess fairly, since a single losing leg can wipe many winners and obscure whether their individual selections have genuine value.
Proofed records of singles allow you to check whether advised odds were achievable in the market, whether the tipster beats the closing line consistently, and how drawdown behaves over time. If a tipster mixes singles with multiples without separating the records, treat the headline figures with caution. Insisting on a clean singles record is one of the most practical steps a punter can take before committing to a subscription or following advice with real money.
Example: A £10 single on a horse at 5/2 returns £35 in total if the horse wins — £25 profit plus the £10 stake back.
FAQs
Can a single be placed each-way?
Yes. An each-way single is technically two bets — one on the win and one on the place — so your stake is doubled. Each part is still a single in structure. Each-way terms, including the place fraction and number of places paid, vary by bookmaker and race type.
What happens to a single if the selection is voided?
In most cases the stake is refunded in full, and the bet is settled as void. However, rules can differ between bookmakers and markets, so always check the terms. A void single has no effect on a standalone basis, unlike a voided leg inside an accumulator.
Is a single always the best bet type to use?
Singles keep risk isolated and results transparent, which is why they suit careful stake management. Multiples can produce larger returns from a small stake but carry greater risk. For following and evaluating a tipster's genuine edge, singles provide the clearest evidence.
More bet types terms: Super Heinz, System Bet, Treble