Tennis betting markets

Tennis is an individual sport with no draws and a scoring system that creates many natural break points, which makes it popular for both pre-match and in-play betting. It also has some settlement rules that catch people out, especially when a player retires injured. This guide covers the main markets and the rules worth knowing. Amounts are examples. Check on the operator's own site whether tennis betting is offered and how its rules are worded.

Match winner

The simplest bet is on who wins the match. Example: €10 on a player at 1.65 returns €16.50 if they win. Because there are only two outcomes, the bookmaker's margin is easy to see: add the implied probabilities of both players and the amount over 100% is the margin. In a closely matched contest with both players at 1.87, the total is about 107%.

Set betting and correct score

Set betting asks you to predict the exact score in sets, for example 2–1 in a best-of-three match. The odds are higher because the bet is more specific. In best-of-five matches the number of possible set scores increases, and so do the odds. These are harder bets to get right, and stakes should reflect that.

Game handicaps and totals

A game handicap applies a number of games to one player's total. Example: a favourite at −3.5 games must win at least four more games than the opponent across the match. Totals markets ask whether the match will contain more or fewer games than a line, such as 22.5 in a best-of-three match. Tie-breaks usually count as one game. These markets are useful when one player is a clear favourite and the match winner odds are very short.

Retirements and walkovers

Tennis players sometimes retire mid-match through injury. Bookmakers handle this differently. Some settle match bets if at least one set has been completed, others void them unless the match is played to the end, and markets already decided, such as the first set winner, are normally settled. A walkover before the match starts usually voids bets. Read the operator's rules, because the same situation can be a win, a loss or a refund depending on the bookmaker.

Surfaces and scheduling

Clay, grass and hard courts suit different styles of play, and a player's record can vary sharply between them. Long matches earlier in a tournament, travel and time zones also affect performance. Information like this is widely available, but it is equally available to the bookmaker, so it rarely gives an edge on its own.

In-play tennis

Odds in tennis can swing after a single break of serve, and markets suspend for every point. The pace makes impulsive betting easy. If you bet in-play, set a separate, smaller budget and avoid reacting to every swing in momentum.

The basics of odds and margins are on the betting basics page, and combining bets is covered under bet types. Compare with football and cricket. Keep stakes within a fixed budget; free support is listed on our responsible gambling page.