How tennis betting works

Every tennis market comes back to one scoring system. Points make games, games make sets, and sets make the match. A set is played to six games and must be won by two, and if the games reach 6-6 a tiebreak usually decides the set, with the first player to seven points (by a margin of two) winning it. The Australian Open’s scoring guide explains this well if you are new to the sport.

South African bookmakers show odds in decimal form. Your stake multiplied by the odds gives your total return, including the stake. If you are new to decimal odds, our guide to what sports betting terms mean covers the basics.

Match winner

The simplest bet: you pick who wins the match. There is no draw in tennis, so there are only two outcomes. Favourites often carry short odds, which means you risk a lot to win a little.

Set betting

Set betting asks you to predict the exact score in sets. In a best-of-three match there are four possible results (2-0 or 2-1 to either player). In a best-of-five match there are six (3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 to either player). Because you need to be more precise, the odds are longer than for the match winner.

Handicaps on games and sets

Handicaps level the field when one player is a clear favourite. A game handicap of -3.5 on Player A means Player A must win at least four more games than Player B across the whole match. In a best-of-three match, a set handicap of -1.5 means Player A must win in straight sets. The half points remove the chance of a tie on the bet.

Totals (over and under)

Totals markets ask whether the match will have more or fewer games than a line set by the bookmaker, for example over or under 22.5 games. Some bookmakers also offer totals on sets or on games in a single set. Evenly matched players tend to push games totals up; one-sided matches keep them low.

Live betting, point by point

In-play tennis odds change after every point. You can bet on who wins the next game, the current set or whether there will be a tiebreak, and a break of serve can swing the match odds in seconds.

Live betting cautions

Live tennis is fast, and that speed works against beginners. Keep these points in mind:

• Your stream may be behind. TV and app streams often run a few seconds behind the court. Odds can move or be suspended before you see the point that caused it.
• Bets can be refused or re-priced. Markets are suspended between points and around key moments. A bet you tap may not be accepted at the price you saw.
• Small bets add up. Betting on every game can turn a R50 session into R500. Decide your total for the match before the first serve, and if a bet loses, do not chase it on the next game.

Surfaces and why they matter

Professional tennis is played on three main surfaces, and the ATP explains that each one plays differently. Hard courts are the neutral middle ground. Clay courts give a slower, higher bounce and produce longer rallies. Grass gives a lower, faster bounce and tends to produce quicker points (ATP Tour explainer).

For betting, this means a player’s results on one surface do not always carry over to another. On a fast grass court, a strong server may hold serve more easily, which can mean more tiebreaks and higher games totals. On slow clay, longer rallies give the returner more chances, so breaks of serve can come more often. Before you bet, look at each player’s record on the surface they are playing on, not just their overall form.

How the tennis season is structured

The four Grand Slams

The four Grand Slams are the biggest events in tennis and award the most ranking points. According to the ITF, they are:

Two format points matter for betting at the Slams. First, men’s singles is played over the best of five sets, while women’s singles is best of three. Second, if a deciding set reaches six games all, all four Slams now play a tiebreak to 10 points, won by two (joint Grand Slam announcement). Longer men’s matches mean higher games totals and more room for a favourite to recover from a slow start.

The ATP and WTA tours

Outside the Slams, men play on the ATP Tour and women on the WTA Tour. Both tours group their events into 250, 500 and 1000 levels, with the number showing the ranking points awarded to the champion (WTA explainer). Both seasons end with a finals event for the year’s top qualifiers.

The level of an event matters for your betting. Smaller events often feature players you may know little about, so stick to matches where you can judge form and recent results.

Retirement rules: read them first

A player can retire injured part-way through a match, and the opponent advances. Whether your bet is paid, lost or voided then depends on the bookmaker’s rules, which are not the same everywhere.

Questions worth answering from the rules page:

• Does a match winner bet stand once a set (or a certain number of games) is complete, or is it void unless the match finishes?
• Are markets that were already decided before the retirement (for example, first set winner) settled as normal?
• What happens to games totals and handicaps when the match does not finish?

Where to bet on tennis

These licensed South African bookmakers list tennis, ranked by our sports score. Read the review before you sign up to check payments, bonus terms and support hours.

Scores out of 10 from our reviews. 18+ only. Always confirm the current terms on the bookmaker’s own site. How we rate

When comparing tennis betting sites, look past the welcome offer: check tournament coverage beyond the Slams, live game markets and how clear the retirement rules are. Our rating method explains the sports score.

Bet within your limits

The tennis calendar runs almost all year, so there is always another match. Use the deposit and loss limits on your betting account, take breaks, and never borrow to bet. If betting stops being fun, the National Responsible Gambling Programme offers free, confidential help on 0800 006 008. You must be 18 or older to bet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest tennis bet for a beginner?

The match winner market. There are only two outcomes and no draw. Once you are comfortable, try set betting or a games handicap, which pay more but need a more precise prediction.

What happens to my bet if a player retires injured?

It depends on the bookmaker. Some markets may be voided and others settled, depending on how far the match got and which market you bet on. Check the tennis rules on the bookmaker’s site before you place the bet.

Why are games totals higher at Grand Slams?

Men’s singles at the four Grand Slams is played over the best of five sets, compared with best of three at most other events, so there are more games to count. Women’s singles at the Slams is best of three.

Is live tennis betting a good idea for beginners?

It can be, but go slowly. Odds change after every point, streams can lag behind the court, and it is easy to place many small bets. Set a total stake for the match before it starts and stop when you reach it.