Outrights Betting

Outrights

A breakdown of a popular sports betting market. Providing insight into outright betting, settlement rules, and the common sports that offer outrights.

What is Outright Betting?

Outright betting refers to any bet placed on the overall winner of a league, tournament or competition rather than on a single match. Outright bets offer a unique experience for punters, as they are long-term bets that allow them to adjust their position as the tournament unfolds.

How Outright Bets Work

Outright bets can be placed at any time before or during a season or tournament while a match is not underway. Unlike normal bets, which are settled after a couple of hours, outright bets are only settled once the competition has concluded, which can take months. Odds will fluctuate based on injuries, performance, and results, allowing punters to either cash out, edge or back your pick.

Common Types of Outright Bets

Outright betting expands beyond picking the winner of a competition, and depending on the sports, many possible betting markets can open, including:

League Winner

As already discussed, the overall winner of a league season. 

Tournament Winner

The overall winner of a tournament or cup competition.

Top Goalscorer

The player with the most goals scored during a league season or cup competition.

Relegation Markets

Teams that finish at the bottom of a league will be demoted to a lower league. Bets can be placed on a single team or all teams that can go down.

Qualifications Markets

Staking on teams to successfully advance from a group or knockout tie. This can also include continental cup placing in leagues.

Season Awards and Specials

Individual awards are given to players during a league campaign or cup competition. These can include the top goalscorer, most valuable player (MVP), podium finishes, and managers to get sacked.

How Outright Odds Work

The odds on outright bets work the same as any traditional bet, and indicate your potential payout. If you place an outright bet on Orlando Pirates to win the Premier Soccer League at 2.50, you can expect to win R250 (R150 profit) if they go on and win the league. 

How to Place an Outright Bet

Placing an outright bet works the same way as placing traditional sports bets. Simply visit the betting site’s sportsbook and select the league or competition that you want to wager on. Head over to the outright or specials tabs and select the betting market you fancy. 

Once you are happy with your selections, open your betslip and enter your stake. Choose whether to place the outright bet as an each-way (EW) bet. An each-way bet splits your stake into two and places half on the win and half on a place finish. Review your potential returns before clicking submit to place your bet.

Popular Sports for Outright Betting

Outright betting is popular across sports with extended schedules, major cup structures or clear championship tracks, including:

• Football is dominated by season-long winner markets, seasonal cup competitions, player and special prop markets and relegation predictions.
• Rugby is popular in the winner markets or major international tournaments such as the World Cup, Rugby Championship and the Six Nations.
• Basketball and the NFL are popular American sports, offering regional and national winner markets and player prop markets.
• Tennis offers future and outright markets on Grand Slam tournaments.
• Horse Racing is another popular outright betting market offering marquee events such as the Durban July and Gold Cup.

Football Outright Betting Markets

Football future betting is the most popular outright betting market offered in South Africa. Popular football outright market includes League or Tournament winner, Top Goalscorer, Promotion and Relegation, Qualification Finish and To Reach the Final or Knockout Round.

Outright Betting Settlement Rules

The settlement rules for outright betting dictate when and how long stakes are paid out by a betting site. Common outright betting settlement rules include:

• Settlement: Outright bets are long-term wagers and are settled once the tournament has been completed.
• Dead Heat Rule: If more than one team or player perfectly ties at the end of a competition, the Dead Heat Rule applies. This rule splits your stake by the number of teams/players tied and uses that figure as the new stake. The new stake is multiplied by the original odds for the payout.
• Ante-Post: If the team, player or horse you backed withdraws, gets injured or fails to qualify, the best is settled as a loss.
• Sanctions or Deductions: Any sanctions or points deductions during a season are factored into the final settlement. However, any sanctions or deductions after a season has concluded will not change the official betting payouts.
• Aborted or Postponed Tournaments: Any bets placed on players or teams in a tournament that gets aborted will be voided. However, if the tournament gets suspended, the bets will remain active until the competition is officially completed.

Outrights FAQs

Outright betting is rather straightforward, but a few common questions punters have with this market include:

Q: What is an outright bet?

A: An outright bet is placed on the overall winner of a competition or tournament rather than on individual matches.

Q: When is an outright bet settled?

A: Outright bets are generally settled once the cup competition or tournament concludes.

Q: Can you cash out an outright bet?

A: Yes, certain outright bets can be cashed out, based on the bookmaker’s discretion.

Q: What happens if two players or teams finish level?

A: If two or more players or teams finish level at the end of a competition, bookmakers apply the Dead Heat Rules. The original wager is split by the number of players or teams tied and is multiplied by the original odds of the stake.

Vinolin Naidoo

Writer/Betting Tipster

I have been in the iGaming industry for a decade and am an avid sports bettor and fan. I have expanded my betting knowledge to create articles on the iGaming industry focusing on online casino content and sports betting analysis for several regions, including South Africa. I cover various sports, including Soccer, Cricket and Horse Racing. All my predictions, tips and insights are thoroughly researched and I aim to help fellow punters in beating the bookies!