Tennis Betting Rules Guide
Learn the essential tennis betting rules to make informed wagers on your favorite matches. Explore match betting, set betting, handicap betting, and more.
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With so many exciting tournaments throughout the year, wagering on tennis at the top sports betting sites can be a fun and rewarding experience. But in order to bet on tennis successfully, you need to know basic tennis betting rules.
Today, we’re going to look at tennis bet rules so that you can make informed decisions and enjoy wagering on this incredibly popular international sport.
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Tennis Match Betting Rules
When it comes to betting on tennis matches, understanding the rules is essential for making informed wagers.
Standard rules
Minimum completed sets: For a bet to stand, a minimum number of sets must be completed. This varies depending on the tournament and format:
● In a best-of-three sets match, at least one set must be completed
● In a best-of-five sets match, at least two sets must be completed
Match abandonment: If a match is abandoned before the minimum number of sets is completed, all bets are usually voided and stakes refunded.
Player retirement rules
Tennis betting rules retired can significantly impact betting outcomes. Here's how various scenarios are usually handled:
- Pre-match retirement: If a player retires before the match starts, all bets are voided, and stakes are refunded
- Retirement during a match: If a player retires during a match, most sportsbooks will void all match bets, regardless of the score at the time of retirement
Disqualification and walkover rules
- Disqualification: If a player is disqualified during a match, the opponent is usually awarded the victory. If the disqualification occurs after the completion of the first set (or second set in a best-of-five match), bets generally stand. Otherwise, bets might be voided depending on the sportsbook's rules
- Walkover: A walkover occurs when a player advances because their opponent is unable to start the match, often due to injury or personal reasons. In cases of a walkover, all bets are voided since no play has occurred, and stakes are refunded
Other Popular Types of Tennis Bets
In addition to match betting, there are several other popular types of bets you can place on tennis.
Let’s take a look at these in a little more detail.
Set betting rules
Set betting involves predicting the exact score in sets by which a player will win the match.
For example, you might bet on Player A to win 2-1 in a best-of-three sets match. All sets must be completed for set betting wagers to stand. If a player retires or is disqualified, set betting bets are typically voided.
Tiebreakers
In matches where a tiebreaker decides sets, the tiebreaker counts as one game. For instance, if a set ends 7-6 after a tiebreaker, it is considered as 7-6 in set betting terms.
Most sportsbooks consider the tiebreaker outcome in the final set score.
Game betting
Game betting involves wagering on the outcome of individual games within a set. Punters can place bets on which player will win a specific game. This also provides opportunities for in-play betting.
Handicap betting
Handicap betting (or spread betting) levels the playing field by giving an advantage or disadvantage to players.
For example, if a player is a heavy favourite, they might be given a handicap of -3.5 games. This means they need to win by at least 4 games for the bet to win. Conversely, the underdog would be given a +3.5 game advantage. If they lose by less than 4 games or win the match, the bet on the underdog would be successful.
Injuries and Medical Timeouts
Injuries and medical timeouts are common in tennis and can impact the outcome of bets.
Tennis injury betting rules: If a player gets an injury during a match and cannot continue, the outcome of your bet will depend on the sportsbook’s specific rules.
That said, most sportsbooks void match bets if the minimum number of sets required for a result is not completed. This ensures fairness as the match outcome is left unresolved.
Medical Timeouts: Medical timeouts, where a player receives treatment during a match, do not usually affect bets directly. The match continues once the timeout is over, and all bets remain active.
Retirement Scenarios: If a player retires due to injury after a certain point in the match, some sportsbooks consider the match completed for betting purposes. This point is often defined as one set being fully completed.
If the retirement happens before any significant progress in the match (e.g., no sets completed), bets are typically voided and stakes are refunded.
Prop Bets: The handling of injuries and timeouts can vary widely for bets on specific outcomes, such as the number of aces or double faults.
Some sportsbooks may void these bets if a player retires or if the match is significantly impacted by a medical timeout.
Check the terms for prop bets, as rules can differ significantly between sportsbooks.
FanDuel Tennis Betting Rules
FanDuel, like many other sportsbooks, has its own set of rules and guidelines for betting on tennis.
While many of these rules are similar to those of other sportsbooks, there are some unique aspects and specific terms you should be aware of when placing your bets with FanDuel.
Match betting
- Minimum sets: FanDuel requires that at least one set be completed for match bets to stand. If a match is abandoned before one set is completed, all match bets are voided and stakes are refunded
- Retirement: If a player retires after the completion of one set, the player progressing to the next round or declared winner will be considered the winner for betting purposes. This rule might differ slightly from other sportsbooks that require more than one set to be completed
Set Betting
- Set completion: For set betting, FanDuel requires that the relevant set is completed for bets to stand. If a player retires or is disqualified during a set, set bets on that specific set will be voided unless the set has finished
- Tiebreakers: FanDuel includes tiebreakers in set betting. A set decided by a tiebreaker will be settled as 7-6 for betting purposes
Handicap betting
- Handicap rules: If a player retires after at least one set has been completed, FanDuel settles the bets based on the completed games or sets. If the retirement happens before one set is completed, handicap bets are voided.
- Game and set handicaps: Both game and set handicaps are available, with specific rules applying to each. For game handicaps, the total number of games won by each player is considered, while set handicaps are based on the number of sets won
Total games/over-under betting
- Void bets: For total games or over-under bets, at least one set must be completed for the bets to stand. If a match is abandoned before the completion of one set, these bets are voided
- Completed sets: If the match is completed, all bets on total games are settled based on the final score, including any tiebreakers
Prop bets
- Special rules: FanDuel may offer unique prop bets such as the number of aces, double faults, or specific player performances. The rules for these bets can vary, so it's important to check the specific terms for each prop bet. Generally, these bets are void if the match is not completed unless specified otherwise.
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