Head to head
Pick the winner of a match. Draws are handled by the market rules for that sport — in some codes a draw refunds the bet, in others there is a separate draw price.
How betting works
No jargon and no promises. This page explains what a price actually means, what the common bet types do, and what happens to your money at each step.
Step one
Reading a decimal price
Australian bookmakers quote decimal odds. Multiply your stake by the price to get the total return — your stake is included in that figure, not added to it.
A$10 at 2.50
2.50
A$10 at 1.40
1.40
A$10 at 6.00
6.00
A short price means the market rates that outcome likely. It does not mean it is safe. Favourites lose constantly, which is the whole reason a betting market exists.
What the price implies
| Price | Implied chance |
|---|---|
| 1.20 | 83% |
| 1.50 | 67% |
| 2.00 | 50% |
| 4.00 | 25% |
| 10.00 | 10% |
Divide 1 by the price to get the implied chance. Add up every implied chance in a market and the total comes to more than 100% — that difference is the bookmaker’s margin, and it is why betting costs money over time.
Step two
The bet types you will actually use
Line / handicap
One side starts with a points head start. You bet on the result after that adjustment, which brings a lopsided contest back towards even money.
Totals
Bet on the combined score finishing over or under a posted number. Who wins is irrelevant.
Win (racing)
Your runner must finish first. Nothing else pays.
Place (racing)
Your runner must finish in the placings. Three places are paid in fields of eight or more, two places in fields of five to seven.
Multi
Several selections combined into one bet. Every leg must win. The return looks large because the chance of it landing is small — that is the trade, not a loophole.
Step three
Placing and settling
- Open an account. You must be 18 or over. We verify your identity and date of birth before the account is fully active.
- Set a deposit limit. You can do this during sign-up, before you deposit anything.
- Deposit. Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or bank transfer. Credit cards and digital currency cannot be used for online wagering in Australia.
- Choose a selection and stake. The price attached to the bet at the moment it is confirmed is the price that applies.
- Wait for the official result. Bets settle once the governing body declares the result. Protests and corrections can delay this.
- Withdraw. Withdrawals go back to an account in your own name. We do not pay winnings to third parties.
Know the cost before you start
Over any meaningful period, the margin built into every market means most
customers finish behind. Bet with money you are prepared to lose, and stop when
it stops being enjoyable.
If it is becoming a problem
Gambling Help Online is free and confidential, 24 hours a day, on
1800 858 858.
You can also exclude yourself from every licensed Australian wagering service
through BetStop.
Create an account