The best bet builder sites let you combine multiple outcomes on one betting slip, even from the same game. The bet builder has come a long way since accumulators were first introduced. Now, you can claim enhanced odds on the most popular markets when you add them to your bet builder wager.
This guide will show you how to set up your bet builder and place a wager. We’ll also point you toward top bet builder betting sites where you can claim some free bets while also looking at the pros and cons of the different bet builders available from UK bookmakers.
What is a Bet Builder?
A bet builder is a type of accumulator containing 3+ outcomes, normally from the same game or match. That differs from a traditional accumulator that is made up of results from multiple games. Most bet builders include what we might call “prop bets” (e.g. first goalscorer, number of corners).
However, it is possible to include a match-winner selection in some bet builders. The best betting sites load their lobbies with pre-made bet builders with set odds. They can be tempting, especially if an odds boost has been applied to it.
Bet builders are focused on the most popular markets only, and are usually placed on team sports like football and rugby. Unlike conventional accas, every leg in your bet builder must win for you to get paid. For more exotic systems, such as a Lucky 15, you’ll need to formulate your bets on the betting slip. This is easy to do at new betting sites that offer the most user-friendly software.
How Bet Builders Work
A bet builder is a must-win acca on a single game where all selections must win. Plus, unlike traditional accas that can cover dozens of results, bet builders are normally restricted to around 11–12 selections.
Minimum stakes vary for online bet builders. However, you can place these bets at the top £5 deposit betting sites without much trouble.
For example, you might create a bet builder using match events from the same game. We’ll use the UEFA Champions League game between Aston Villa and Club Brugge as our example:
Ollie Watkins Last Goalscorer @ 9/2
Total Goals 4 @ 9/2
Over 7 Corners @ 4/11
Total Odds: 25/1
In our bet builder example, the odds offered by independent betting sites are 25/1 for our three selections. However, should you make a 3-leg acca on the 1X2 markets (e.g. three teams to win their games at 9/2, 9/2, and 4/11), the total odds would be nearer 40/1.
Why are the odds in a bet builder lower than a traditional acca? Bet builder markets are interconnected, unlike an acca which usually covers 3+ unrelated games.
For example, you might have an online bet builder wager that contains Aston Villa to win, score over 1.5 goals, and Ollie Watkins to be first scorer. When one of those legs is coming in, it’s more likely the other two will as well.
The lower odds are one of the reasons not all gamblers like a bet builder. In some cases, however, the bookie will boost the bet builder odds to attract punters.
Void Bets
You can also choose to void one of your bet builder legs if a player doesn’t start. That way, your bet builder can ride with the remaining legs intact. However, you can sometimes lay your bet builder on top betting exchanges.
Banker
Some bet builders allow you to choose one leg as a ‘banker’. This is usually an odds-on “dead cert” that will help improve the overall odds. However, the banker must come in for the bet builder to pay out.
Winnings Boost
We know that bet builder odds provided by bookies are usually lower than in multi-game accas. However, some bet builder sites provide profit boosts, provided your wager contains at least three legs. Enhanced odds are usually provided on the bookmaker’s pre-made bet builders too.
What Sports Can I Use a Bet Builder On?
The bet builder is normally targeted at team sports with multiple player markets, such as 1st/last goalscorer. Pre-made bet builder odds are usually provided on football, but you can hunt around for other team sports, including:
- Football
- Rugby Union
- Rugby League
- American Football
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Baseball
Types of Markets
Bet builder sites allow multi-leg bets that include a range of popular markets. These vary depending on the sport. However, you are restricted to making pre-match bets. Bet builders don’t focus on live betting where there’s more volatility.
Let’s take football as a good example. You can select from hundreds of outcomes to include in one Bet Builder.:
- First/Last Goalscorers
- Multi-Scorers
- Goal Method
- Corners & Cards
- 1st Half/2nd Half Result
- Total Goals (Over/Under/Exact)
- Shots on Target
The beauty of the bet builder is that you can include legs from the same game. For example, in the game between Aston Villa and Club Brugge, we might include a correct score of 2-0 to Aston Villa and Aston Villa to win the game. Plus, we can throw in a first goalscorer leg or even the total corners.
How to Place a Bet Builder Wager
You can place a bet builder in a few easy steps. Don’t dismiss the pre-set bet builders offered by bookmakers too.
- Go to the homepage of your chosen bookmaker
- Select the Bet Builder tab for your preferred market
- Choose the selections you wish to add to your bet builder
- Open the betting slip, check the odds, and enter your stake
- Confirm the bet!
Pros & Cons of Bet Builders
Bet builders are good for prop bet fans who want to take advantage of generous odds on Total Goals or other in-game markets. However, they do have one or two drawbacks. For example, the Cash Out option is usually unavailable on bet builder wagers.
Pros:
- Enhanced odds on selected bet builder accas
- Bet quickly with pre-made accas to save time
- Add multiple legs to your bet all on one screen
- Make up to 12 selections across multiple sports & fixtures
- No need to include match results in your acca
Cons:
- Large focus on team sports like football
- Odds may be lower than a traditional acca
- No Cash-Out available
- All legs of the bet builder must come in to win
10 Best Bet Builder Sites
Here is a list of the top 10 best bet builder sites as judged by our own expert review team. You can also head on over to our Punters Lounge forum to see which bet builder bookies our valued community members are recommending and why.
- Bet365
- 10bet
- SBK
- Boylesports
- Quinnbet
- Betfred
- William Hill
- BetVictor
- Virgin Bet
- Gentleman Jim
How We Review the Best Bet Builder Sites
Our expert review team only uses the best criteria to judge and recommend bet builder sites. Here’s how we review every bet builder bookmaker to ensure they pass muster.
The best bet builder sites should offer generous odds that don’t lag well behind regular acca prices.
Want to include total corners, player yellows, or shots on target? We check the range and quality of bet builder markets for the most popular games.
We check the range of promotions on offer for bet builders, including enhanced odds and money back.
Get your bet builders off to a flyer with the best welcome bonuses. We check the quantity and quality of every free bet, money-back, and deposit match offer.
All the top bet builder sites we preview have received a full UK Gambling Commission licence to operate. You should be fully protected when you gamble online for real money.
Alongside the bet builder, we check the bookmaker offers other tools, including Cash Out/Partial Cash Out, and in-play betting on in-game markets.
The top betting apps let you form your bet builder and place wagers with a few easy taps. We check the usability of download and instant-play bookmaker apps to ensure they pass the quality control.
It’s important to get your money in and out of betting sites quickly. We check for instant deposits and fast withdrawals wherever possible.
Bet Builder vs Request a Bet
The bet builder and customisable tools like Request-a-Bet are examples of how online bookmakers have improved overall experience. With Request a Bet, bookies put you in complete control of your accas.
The tool allows you to request bespoke odds on unusual game markets directly from the bookmaker. Usually, a Twitter channel would be used to request a bet. The bookmaker team would formulate odds accordingly.
However, online bookmakers are beginning to move away from the service. Sky Bet was the latest bookie to halt its Request a Bet tool. In its place, Sky Bet is focussing more on its bet builder markets.
Bet Builder Tips & Strategies
Bet builders can be a minefield at the best of times for even a seasoned punter. Use our top tips when accessing the best bet builder sites to place your multi-leg wagers. Take into account the following pointers when doing a bet builder.
Focus on Football at Bet Builder Sites
By far, football offers the widest choice for bet builder punters. The top online betting sites may offer 150+ individual prop markets on a single match. This gives you a lot of freedom to pick and choose, especially if you’ve done your research beforehand.
Think About How Your Bet Builder Legs Combine
Always consider how your bet builder interconnects. For example, once again using a UEFA Champions League fixture between Aston Villa and Club Brugge, there’s no point in having this type of bet builder:
Aston Villa to score +2.5 goals
Club Brugge to win
Total corners 0–4
You predict a high-scoring game, but you’re relying on both Aston Villa to score lots of goals and still be beaten by Club Brugge. The percentage chance of that happening means you’re better off sticking to the 1X2 markets. Plus, you’ve gone low on corners, unlikely given the number of goals that must be scored.
Look for Enhanced Pre-Set Bet Builders
Most top bet builder sites do the hard work for you and pre-make bet builders. You can select them by simply tapping the option and adding it to your betting slip.
Some pre-made bet builders offer total odds, but do your research first. The bookmaker may include one or two longer shots as bet builder legs. You risk losing your entire bet builder if one leg lets you down.
How to Sign Up to Bet Builder Sites
You can get started at the best bet builder sites in a few clicks. Choose any bookmaker from our recommended list of bet builder sites.
Click on the Join Button
Read our list of recommended bookies from our expert team on this page. Choose your preferred bookmaker to sign up. Hit the Join button or install a betting app on your smartphone to get started with the sign-up process.
Complete the Registration Form
You will then be taken to a page with a registration form to sign up for the online bookmaker you have selected. Fill in your personal information with both a username and password. This will then create a new account for you with the bookie.
Log In and Make a Deposit
Log in to the bookmaker online with the username and password that you have just signed up with. Open the Banking tab on the main menu and make a first deposit. Be aware of any payment method restrictions in place (e.g. PayPal/Trustly) when making this first deposit.
Open the Bet Builder Tab
Go to the bet builder tab for the sports market you wish to bet on. Select the match event for which you want to use the bet builder. Browse through the different options that you want to add as selections for your bet builder.
Place Your Bets with Real Money
Once you’re satisfied with your bet builder odds, check that you’re happy with your selections and enter a stake into the betting slip and confirm the wager. You can then sit back and enjoy watching your bet builder come in!
Final Thoughts: Bet Builder Sites
The best bet builder sites give you more freedom on what you can include in your accas. You can bet on player performances or total team goals, and the choice is getting better.
The top bet builder bookies offer improved odds on winning wagers and regular promotions throughout the season. Sign up with one of our recommended bet builder sites now and find a deal that is right for you.
Responsible Gambling
At Punters Lounge, we only recommend bet builder sites that guarantee a safe haven for all customers. You also have a few resources available in the UK if you think you may have a problem:
References
EGR
Punters Lounge Forum
UK Gambling Commission
Bet Builder Sites FAQ
Are bet builders worth it?
Bet builders are good options if you want to include selections from the same game in your acca. Plus, you can win a bet builder without selecting an outright 1X2 result.
What happens if you lose one bet in a bet builder?
You lose the whole stake if one leg of your bet builder loses. In an acca, you may receive a free bet as insurance if one leg lets you down.
What happens to a bet builder if a player doesn’t play?
Your bet builder is usually void if a player doesn’t play. However, you may have to select this option before confirming your bet builder.
Can you combine two bet builders?
Yes. Many bookmakers let you combine up to four separate bet builders in a larger wager. Plus, you can combine multiple bet builders with other non-bet builder wagers.
Can you lay a bet builder?
Yes, some online betting exchanges let you lay your bet builders. That means you win if your bet builder loses.
What is the difference between a bet builder and an accumulator?
A bet builder is made up of markets from the same game. Plus, legs may relate to individual outcomes in a game, such as total corners. An accumulator is usually formed of 1X2 bets on the outcomes of multiple matches.
Can you cash out a bet builder?
No, bet builders normally must be seen through to settlement with no Cash Out allowed. Always check the terms and conditions of the bet builder before you gamble.
Is a bet builder a single bet?
Yes. A bet builder is an accumulator where all legs must win for the bet to come in. A bet builder usually contains 3 or more outcomes, often taken from the same game.
Are bet builders available for all sports?
No. Bet builders are generally restricted to team sports, such as football or rugby. You can find a list of permitted sports on the bookmaker’s website.
Is there a maximum number of selections I can add in a bet builder?
Yes. You are usually restricted to including up to 12 selections on a bet builder. This is lower than the 15+ legs you can usually include on a standard accumulator.
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