A bet builder combines several selections from the same match into one bet, such as a team to win, over 2.5 goals and a player to score. Every part has to win. The price isn't simply the odds multiplied together, because the selections are linked.
How a bet builder works
You pick selections from one match, the bookmaker gives you one price for all of them together, and every leg has to come in. Some bookmakers also offer multi-match bet builders, which combine selections from several games.
- Arsenal to win
- Over 2.5 goals
- Saka to score at any time
Why the price isn't the odds multiplied
In a normal accumulator the legs are separate events, so the odds multiply. In a bet builder they're linked. If Saka scores, Arsenal are more likely to win and the match is more likely to have three goals. The bookmaker allows for that, so linked selections usually pay less than the multiplied odds.
Selections that work against each other can be priced higher than the multiplied odds instead. Either way, you can't check the price by multiplying, which makes bet builders hard to judge.
The margin in every leg
Each leg carries the bookmaker's margin, and it compounds as you add legs. This shows how a 5% margin on each leg grows, before any extra for linked selections.
| Legs | Combined margin | Of £10 staked, the bookmaker expects to keep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5.0% | £0.48 |
| 2 | 10.3% | £0.93 |
| 3 | 15.8% | £1.36 |
| 4 | 21.6% | £1.77 |
| 5 | 27.6% | £2.16 |
| 6 | 34.0% | £2.54 |
Margins on player and card markets are often higher than on the match result, so the real figure can be bigger.
Void legs and other rules
- If a player you picked doesn't start, some bookmakers void that leg and some void the whole bet.
- Most bet builder markets settle on 90 minutes plus injury time, not extra time.
- Cash out may be limited or unavailable.
Rules differ by bookmaker. Check them before you bet, especially for player markets.
Bet builder or accumulator?
An acca spreads your selections across different matches, so you can check the price yourself. A bet builder keeps them in one match, which is more fun to follow but harder to price. If you want to know exactly what you're getting, an acca is easier to judge.
Calculators:Acca calculatorOdds converterBet calculator
Questions people ask
What does bet builder mean?
A single bet made of several selections from the same match. Every selection has to win.
Is a bet builder the same as an acca?
No. An acca combines selections from different events and the odds multiply. A bet builder combines linked selections from one event, so the bookmaker prices them together.
What happens if a player in my bet builder doesn't play?
It depends on the bookmaker. Some void that leg and settle the rest, others void the whole bet. Check the rules before you bet.
Are bet builders good value?
Usually not. The margin compounds with every leg, and linked selections are priced to the bookmaker's advantage. Treat them as entertainment.