Bet Builder Guide: How They Work, Strategy and Tips

As the most popular punting pursuit in the UK, football betting is no stranger to innovation. In such a competitive market, the bookies are inspired to create new features, promotions, and bet types.

Cash out and partial cash out are examples of new features, while the popular 2Up early payout is a recent promo that has proven to be a big hit with fans. When it comes to new bet types, one wager stands above the rest. Born sometime in the 2010s, the same-game acca phenomenon known as the Bet Builder has exploded into the consciousness of football betting fans.

Here at NewBettingSites.uk, we are big fans of the most customisable bet on the market. In this article, I explain what a Bet Builder is, how it all works, Bet Builder strategies, and more.

What Is a Bet Builder?

A Bet Builder is a type of accumulator bet. However, unlike traditional accas, which combine results from different matches, a Bet Builder lets you combine multiple selections from the same match. For example, you could combine a team to win, over 2.5 goals, and a named player to have a shot on target, as shown below.

How Do Bet Builders Work?

As mentioned, a Bet Builder works in a similar way to a standard accumulator. The key distinction is that with a Bet Builder, all selections come from the same event. Rather than backing Newcastle to beat Tottenham, over 2.5 goals in the Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest game, and Erling Haaland to have a shot on target for Man City against Crystal Palace, a Bet Builder lets you combine markets from the same match.

Why are Bet Builder Odds Different from Traditional Accumulator Odds?

When calculating returns for a traditional accumulator, you multiply the odds together, as in this Coventry City to win, Chelsea to win, and Sunderland to win treble.

Bet Builders don’t work in quite the same way. The example below shows the combined multiplied odds for three selections from the Tottenham vs Newcastle game, compared with the actual Bet Builder returns.

£132.20 vs £70. Why such a difference? The answer is found in the realm of related contingencies and independent events.

What are Related Contingencies in Bet Builders?

When combining markets from different matches, the outcomes are unrelated. Going back to our treble, Coventry winning their match is completely unrelated to whether Chelsea or Sunderland win. Therefore, bookmakers multiply the odds together when calculating your returns.

In contrast, the selections contained in our Bet Builder are clearly related to one another. If Wissa scores at any time, it is immediately more likely that Newcastle win and the game features over 2.5 goals. While multiplying the odds together would be nice for the punter, it wouldn’t be entirely fair on the bookmaker. The Bet Builder odds of 7.0 are closer to the actual probability of a game that sees Wissa score, over 2.5 goals, and a Newcastle win, while of course factoring in the bookmaker's margin.

Bet Builder vs Accumulator: Quick Guide

Can You Put Bet Builders in an Accumulator?

If one Bet Builder isn’t enough, many betting sites let you combine Bet Builders from different events. Simply make a Bet Builder for one match and add it to your slip, then add a Bet Builder from another match or matches and select double, treble, etc. You can also combine a Bet Builder with other bets, e.g. a double containing a Bet Builder on Premier League game and a horse to win the 3:40 at Newmarket. Note that this feature is not available with all bookmakers.

How To Place a Bet Builder

Depending on the bookmaker or country, you may also see Bet Builders referred to as BuildABet, Same Game Multiples (SGMs), Same Game Parlays (SGPs), or other bookmaker-specific names.

Whatever they are titles, placing a Bet Builder is usually straightforward. Head to the football tab of your chosen betting site and select the game you want to bet on. Next, click the Bet Builder tab. Selecting Bet Builder brings up the list of available markets. As you add selections, the updated cumulative odds will be displayed in the bet slip area or the Bet Builder tab. When you are happy with your bet, enter your stake and place your bet.

What Markets Can You Add?

The simple examples discussed so far barely scratch the surface of the Bet Builder markets available. While options differ widely between bookmakers, you can expect to find a combination of the above at the best new betting sites.

As you can see, Football Bet Builders can cover far more than the match result and goals. Depending on the betting site, available markets may include both teams to score (BTTS), player assists, penalty awarded, cards, ands corners. At the more all-encompassing sites, you can add match stats such as player passes and player fouls.

Bet Builder Strategy and Tips

The first thing to remember with a Bet Builder is that it is an accumulator bet. As such, every leg of your Bet Builder must be correct to earn a payout.

When it comes to striking a winning Bet Builder, many general football betting strategies apply. Each punter will have their individual approach, but the following points are worth bearing in mind:

• Build Around the Match Outcome - If you expect Arsenal to dominate in a home win against Aston Villa, a Bet Builder can provide more value than a straight win bet on the Gunners. For example, Arsenal to win, Arsenal to win most corners, and Kai Havertz to have a shot on target may appeal. Start with your opinion on the match and pick out the relevant markets rather than randomly adding seemingly attractive markets.
• Don’t Include Too Many Legs - The more legs you include, the more likely your bet will lose. Jumping from 5/1 to 12/1 for just one more leg looks attractive but significantly increases the risk. Each leg should have a logical reason for being included. “I added another leg just to boost the odds” is not a logical reason.
• Research the Stats - Look beyond the bare result. Underlying xG, shots on target, and possession stats can provide more insight into how a side is playing than a glance at the six-match form figures. If you are considering including shots, fouls, cards, or corners in your Bet Builder, it makes sense to look at the stats related to those markets.
• Wait for Team News - Placing a bet early only to discover a key player is missing can undo your best-laid plans. The absence of a top striker can affect several markets, e.g. match result and total goals. Or perhaps your fouls opinion was related to a particularly foul-prone defender. A good value fouls leg can quickly turn into a poor bet if the key player misses out.
• Check Referee Stats - Referees vary, often surprisingly widely, in their willingness to show red and yellow cards. It is always worth checking the referee stats if you are considering including a cards element in your Bet Builder.
• Compare Bet Builder Odds - Don’t automatically place your Bet Builders with the same betting site. The odds for the same Bet Builder can vary between bookmakers. Entering your Bet Builder at a selection of sites to find the best price only takes an extra minute and can make a big difference to your bottom line.
• Be Wary of Very Short-Priced Legs - Adding a long odds-on leg provides only a minimal boost to your returns while adding an additional way for your bet to lose. The risk/reward ratio may not be worth it.
• Take Advantage of the Super Sub Promotion - Also known as Sub On, Play On or Substitute Guarantee, this promotion sees your player-related bets (goals, cards, shots, fouls, etc.) roll on to the substitute if your player is taken off.
• Look out for Bet Builder Promotions/Boosts - Many of the best new betting sites offer Bet Builder profit boosts or Bet Builder money back specials.

Bet Builders: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Build a bet around your specific match prediction.
• Odds are often more attractive than a simple single bet.
• Combine markets that can’t ordinarily be linked in an accumulator
• Wide range of player and match markets

Cons

• Every leg needs to win.
• Adding legs is tempting but reduces the probability of success.
• Correlated selections mean the combined odds aren’t simply multiplied.
• Rules and available markets can vary between bookmakers.

Bet Builder FAQs

• Can you Cash Out a Bet Builder? - Yes, many betting sites offer Cash Out on eligible Bet Builders. Availability varies between bookmakers, and Cash Out will be suspended around key events, e.g. goals or a sending off.
• Can you use Bet Builders on in-play betting? - Yes, some betting sites offer in-play Bet Builders, allowing you to combine multiple markets after a match has started. In-play Bet Builders often don’t feature as many options as pre-match Bet Builders.
• What happens if a player doesn’t start? - This varies between bookmakers. Some betting sites will void the player-related leg(s) and the Bet Builder will stand at the adjusted odds. Other bookies will void the entire bet and return your stake. If in doubt, check the terms and conditions of your Bet Builder betting site.
• Which sports have Bet Builders? - Football Bet Builders are by far the most popular in the UK. However, many betting sites also offer Bet Builders for basketball, American football, tennis, ice hockey, baseball, and more.
• How many selections can you add to a Bet Builder? - The answer to this varies between bookmakers. Some cap selections at six, others at 10 or more. Check the rules at your chosen betting site.
• Which sports have Bet Builders? - Football Bet Builders are by far the most popular in the UK. However, many betting sites also offer Bet Builders for basketball, American football, tennis, ice hockey, baseball, and more.