Before you dive into the world of tennis betting, you need to grasp the basics of betting odds. In American odds format, a negative number indicates the amount you must bet to win $100, while a positive number shows how much you'd win from a $100 bet. For example, if a player has odds of -150, you'd need to wager $150 to win $100, resulting in a total payout of $250 (profit + original stake). Conversely, if a player has odds of +200, a $100 bet could yield a $200 win, which would result in a $300 payout ($200 profit + original stake). The odds provide a rough estimate of the risk involved, offering an insight into who is perceived as the favorite (negative odds) or underdog (positive odds).

Moneyline

The moneyline bet, also known as the match-winner, is the simplest and most popular form of tennis wagering. In this market, you predict which player will win the match outright.

Example Match: Player A vs. Player B

Player A: -300

Player B: +250

In the example, a $300 bet on Player A would mean a $400 payout ($100 profit + original stake) if they win the game, but a loss if Player B wins. Similarly, if you bet $100 on Player B to win, the bet would pay out $350 ($250 profit + original stake).

Game Spread

The game spread, or handicap, levels the playing field between two players of varying strengths. In this market, the favorite player is given a negative handicap (e.g., -2.5 games), while the underdog receives a positive handicap (e.g., +2.5 games). Your bet's outcome is determined by whether the player you choose covers the handicap.

Example Match: Player A vs. Player B

Player A: -2.5 (-110)

Player B: +2.5 (-110)

In the example, a $110 or $100 bet on either spread would result in a $100 or $90.91 profit, respectively, if successful. For example, if the match ends 6-4, 7-6 in favor of Player A, meaning that they won 3 more games than Player B, a $110 bet on Player A’s -2.5 game spread would be successful because, with the given handicap, they would’ve won the bet by 0.5 games.

Over/Under

The over/under, or total games, bet involves predicting whether the total number of games played in a match will be over or under a specific threshold. The line may be set at 20.5 games, and you decide whether the total games played by both players will be more or less than that number.

Example Match: Player A vs. Player B

Over 20.5 Games: -120

Under 20.5 Games: +100

In the example, a $100 bet on the under-total would pay out $100 if the match ends with 20 or fewer games (6-4, 6-4, for example). On the other hand, a $120 or $100 bet on the over-total would pay out a $100 or $83.33 profit, respectively, if the match were to exceed 20 games (7-5, 6-3, for example).

Parlays

A parlay combines multiple individual bets into one larger bet. To win a parlay, all the individual bets within it must be successful. This type of bet offers higher potential payouts as the odds multiply with each added selection.

Example Matches: Player A vs. Player B, Player C vs. Player D

Leg 1: Player A vs. Player B

Betting Market: Moneyline

Selection: Player A to win

Odds: -150

Leg 2: Player A vs. Player B

Betting Market: Total Games Over/Under

Selection: Over 20.5 games

Odds: -110

Leg 3: Player C vs. Player D

Betting Market: Point Spread

Selection: Player C +2.5 games

Odds: -130

To calculate the potential payout for this 3-leg parlay, we first convert each selection into decimal odds (here only converted to the last step since the results are repeating decimals) and multiply the odds of each individual selection, which we then multiply by the bet amount:

(-150) x (-110) x (-130) → (250/150) x (210/110) x (230/130) = 5.629370629

With that said, we multiply the resulting decimal odds by the bet amount ($100 for example), which will result in a $562.94 payout. Therefore, if we bet $100 on this 3-leg parlay, and all legs are successful, the bet would pay out $562.94.

Additional bets specific to the sport that can broaden your tennis-betting experience may include:

Set Betting

Betting on the exact final score in sets of a match.

Example Match: Player A vs. Player B (Best out of 3 sets match)

Player A 2-1: +800

Player A 2-0: +1200

Player B 2-1: +500

Player B 2-0: +1500

In the example, a $100 bet on Player B to win exactly 2-0 (to win both first sets out of 3) would pay out a $1,500 profit. Similarly, a $100 bet on Player A to win 2-1, would pay out $800 in profit.

First Set/Match Result

Betting on the result of the match at first set and full match independently or in combination.

Example Match: Player A vs. Player B

Player A/Player A: +300

Player A/Player B: +1000

Player B/Player A: +600

Player B/Player B: +400

In the example, betting on Player A/Player B would mean that Player A would need to win the first set and Player B to win the match. A $100 bet would net $1,000 in profit if that were to happen.

Props (Player Props/Match Props)

Prop bets, short for proposition bets, focus on specific events or occurrences within a tennis match. These bets can cover a wide range of possibilities, including individual player performances, match statistics, or specific game events.

Example Match: Player A vs. Player B

Player A Over 10.5 Aces: +140

First Set Tie Break: -120

In the example, if we bet $100 on Player A to have over 10.5 aces, meaning at least 11 aces, and Player A achieves that, the bet would pay out $140 in profit. Alternatively, if we bet $120 or $100 on the first set going to a tiebreak, and it does, the bet would result in a $100 or $83.33 profit, respectively.

Aces Over/Under

Betting on whether a player will serve over or under a given number of aces.

Example Match: Player A vs. Player B

Player A Aces Over 9.5: +150

Player A Aces Under 9.5: -200

In the example, a $100 bet on Over would pay out $250 ($150 profit + original stake) if Player A serves 10 or more aces. A $200 bet on Under would pay out $300 ($100 profit + original stake) if Player A serves 9 or fewer aces.

To Win A Set

Betting on whether a player will win at least one set in the match.

Example Match: Player A vs. Player B

Player A To Win A Set: Yes (-150), No (+120)

Player B To Win A Set: Yes (+100), No (-130)

In the example, a $150 bet on Player A "Yes" would pay out $100 in net winnings if Player A wins at least one set in the match. A $130 or $100 bet on Player B "No" would pay out $100 or $76.92, respectively, in net winnings if Player B does not win a set.

Tiebreak in Match

Betting on whether there will be a tiebreak in the match.

Example Match: Player A vs. Player B

Tie Break in Match: Yes (+150), No (-200)

In the example, a $100 bet on "Yes" would pay out $250 ($150 profit + original stake) if there is at least one tiebreak in the match. A $200 bet on "No" would pay out a $100 profit if there is no tiebreak in the match.

At DraftKings, we believe that life is more fun with skin in the game and we want it to stay that way. It’s important to remember that you should only bet what you can afford and always set reasonable limits for yourself. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re gambling:

• Set a realistic budget that you can afford to gamble. Never play beyond your means.
• Set a time limit on your gambling and stick to it.
• Don’t place large bets in the hopes of winning big.
• Don’t try to make money by chasing your losses.
• Gambling should not be viewed as a pathway to financial gains or shortcut to financial success.
• Avoid gambling if you are in recovery from any dependency or are under the influence of alcohol or any other substance.

We provide our players with tools to set budgets, limits, and cool-off periods, and always give you the option to self-exclude. For more information and resources, consider visiting DraftKings’ responsible gambling help guide. If, for any reason, you feel like you need help, we strongly encourage you to contact your local responsible gaming organizations. Remember, it’s more fun when it’s for fun.

Research is a critical component of betting. Stay informed about player rankings, recent performance, head-to-head records, and other factors that might influence the outcome of the match. This information can help you make more informed decisions when placing your bets.

Betting on tennis can be a thrilling venture, blending the high-paced excitement of the sport with the strategic and calculated world of wagering. Remember to understand the odds, choose the right type of bets for you, manage your bankroll responsibly, and conduct thorough research. As with any form of betting, remember to wager responsibly and treat the process as a form of entertainment. Good luck!