What Are Special Bets? The Complete Guide to Non-Standard Betting Markets

When you open a sportsbook, the first betting options you see are usually straightforward: pick a winner (1x2), apply a handicap, or bet on totals. But beyond these three main bet types lies an entire universe of alternative wagers called special bets. These are the markets that let you bet on anything from who scores the first goal to the colour of the Gatorade poured over a winning coach. Understanding special bets can unlock hidden value and add excitement to your betting experience.

What Are Special Bets?

The Fundamental Definition

A special bet is any wager that falls outside the three primary betting categories: match result (1x2), handicaps, and totals (over/under). In essence, special bets cover any non-standard market that a bookmaker chooses to offer on a particular event.

To understand this better, consider the three main bet types:

Any wager that doesn't fit neatly into these categories qualifies as a special bet. This includes bets on:

• Specific player actions: Who will score first, which player gets the first yellow card, total shots by a player
• Match events: Number of corners, penalty awarded, which half has more goals
• Non-sporting outcomes: Political election results, Oscar winners, reality TV show outcomes
• Unusual combinations: Specific scorelines, first half/second half results, both teams to score

Why Are They Called "Specials"?

The term "special" emerged from bookmaking tradition. These markets were originally offered as unique, limited-time offerings designed to attract bettors and generate additional action on major events. A bookmaker might offer "special" markets on a high-profile match that wouldn't be available on routine fixtures.

Today, the term persists even though many specials are now standard offerings. Major bookmakers feature hundreds of special markets daily—they're no longer rare or exclusive, but the name has stuck. The term also reflects the "special" or unique nature of these bets compared to the standard three categories most casual bettors encounter.

How Do Special Bets Differ from Exotic and Prop Bets?

The betting terminology landscape can be confusing because these terms overlap. Understanding the distinctions helps you communicate precisely with other bettors and bookmakers.

Special Bets vs. Prop Bets

Prop bets (short for "proposition bets") are actually a subset of special bets. All prop bets are specials, but not all specials are props.

Think of it this way: prop bets are a specialized type of special bet focused on individual performances or specific in-game actions, while special bets encompass a much broader category that includes non-sporting events, political outcomes, and entertainment predictions.

Special Bets vs. Exotic Bets

This distinction is crucial and often misunderstood. The key difference lies in what can be bet on:

Special bets focus on outcomes directly related to the on-field or in-game performance of teams and athletes. Examples include:

• First goalscorer
• Total corners in a match
• Which player receives a yellow card
• Half-time result

Exotic bets extend beyond the game itself to off-field factors or entertainment elements that have nothing to do with actual play. Famous examples include:

• The length of time the National Anthem will last at the Super Bowl
• How many times a specific player's family member will be shown on camera
• The colour of the Gatorade poured over the winning coach
• The length of the halftime show

Exotic bets are essentially the theatrical, entertainment-focused extension of special bets. They're offered primarily on massive events like the Super Bowl, World Cup, or Olympics, where bookmakers can attract casual bettors interested in novelty wagers.

Special Bets vs. Enhanced Odds

Enhanced odds are not a type of bet at all—they're a promotional tool. Bookmakers offer enhanced odds to boost the appeal of existing bets, temporarily increasing the payout on a specific wager.

For example:

• Standard odds: Manchester United to win at 2.0
• Enhanced odds promotion: Manchester United to win at 3.5 (for new customers only)

Enhanced odds are a marketing tactic, while special bets are market types. You can have enhanced odds on a special bet (e.g., enhanced odds on a first goalscorer bet), but the two concepts are fundamentally different.

What Types of Special Bets Are Available?

The variety of special bets available is staggering. Let's explore the main categories:

Football Special Bets

Football offers the widest range of special betting markets due to the sport's global popularity and the abundance of measurable statistics:

Player-focused specials:

• First goalscorer / Last goalscorer: Who will score first or last in a match
• Anytime goalscorer: A player to score at any point in the match (not necessarily first)
• Player shots on target: Total number of shots on target by a specific player
• Player assists: How many assists a player will record

Team-focused specials:

• Both teams to score (BTTS): Both teams will score at least one goal
• Total corners: Over/under on the total number of corners in a match
• Total yellow/red cards: Number of cards issued in the match
• Penalty awarded: Whether a penalty will be given (yes/no)

Match-specific specials:

• Half-time result: The score or winner at half-time
• Correct score: The exact final score (often combined with other bets)
• First half goals: Over/under on goals scored in the first 45 minutes
• Winning margin: By how many goals the winner will win

Basketball & Other Sports Specials

Different sports offer unique special betting opportunities:

Basketball specials:

• Wire-to-wire: A team leads at the end of every quarter
• First basket scorer: Which player will score the first basket
• Total points odd/even: Whether total points will be odd or even
• Player fouls: How many fouls a specific player will commit
• First half over/under: Total points in the first half

Tennis specials:

• Set winner: Who wins a specific set
• Break of serve: Whether a break of serve will occur
• Tiebreak: Will there be a tiebreak in a set

Ice hockey specials:

• Exact final score
• Empty net goal: Whether an empty net goal will be scored
• Powerplay goals: Number of powerplay goals

Non-Sporting Special Bets

One of the most exciting aspects of modern betting is the ability to wager on events completely outside sports:

These markets appeal to a different demographic—people who may not be traditional sports bettors but enjoy the entertainment value and engagement of wagering on events they're already watching.

How Do Bookmakers Set Odds on Special Bets?

Understanding how bookmakers calculate odds on special bets reveals why some offer better value than others.

The Odds-Setting Mechanism

Bookmakers employ sophisticated methods to set odds on special bets:

1. Probability Assessment Bookmakers start by estimating the true probability of each outcome. For a first goalscorer bet in football, they analyze:

• Historical scoring records of each player
• Current form and fitness
• Opposition defensive strength
• Playing position and minutes likely to be played
• Weather conditions and pitch conditions

2. Data Sources Professional odds compilers use:

• Historical statistical databases
• Team and player performance metrics
• Expert opinion and analysis
• Market sentiment from other bookmakers
• Betting volume and patterns from their own customers

3. Margin Building Bookmakers don't set odds to reflect true probability—they include a margin (also called "vigorish" or "vig"). This margin ensures profit regardless of the outcome. For example:

• True probability of outcome A: 40%
• True probability of outcome B: 60%
• Bookmaker's odds for A: 2.5 (implies 40% probability)
• Bookmaker's odds for B: 1.67 (implies 60% probability)
• The combined implied probability: 40% + 60% + margin = 105% to 110%

The extra 5-10% is the bookmaker's profit margin.

Why Odds Vary Between Bookmakers

Different bookmakers offer different odds on the same special bet because:

Different data interpretation: Bookmakers may weigh historical data, current form, and expert opinion differently. One might heavily favor recent performance, while another considers longer-term trends.

Risk appetite: A bookmaker willing to take larger positions might offer better odds to attract volume. A conservative bookmaker might offer tighter odds to limit exposure.

Market-making strategies: Some bookmakers focus on balancing their books (ensuring profit regardless of outcome), while others take directional positions based on their confidence in their odds.

Customer base: A bookmaker catering to professional bettors might offer sharper (tighter) odds than one targeting casual bettors.

Liquidity: Special bets with lower volume typically have wider odds spreads than popular markets.

This variation is why successful bettors shop around for the best odds across multiple bookmakers before placing significant wagers.

Are Special Bets Profitable? Strategy & Risk Management

The Profitability Question

The short answer: Yes, special bets can be profitable, but not in the way most casual bettors approach them.

Casual bettors often lose money on specials because they:

• Bet based on emotion or entertainment value rather than analysis
• Accept whatever odds are displayed without comparing
• Chase losses with increasingly unlikely bets
• Lack a disciplined staking strategy

However, professional and semi-professional bettors can find edge in special bets because:

Less-tracked markets: While major betting markets (match result, over/under) attract sharp money and are efficiently priced, many special bets receive less professional attention. Bookmakers may not have refined their odds as thoroughly, creating opportunities for knowledgeable bettors.

Niche expertise: If you develop deep knowledge of a specific sport or type of special bet, you may identify patterns that bookmakers haven't fully priced. For example, a bettor who deeply studies penalty-taking patterns might find value in penalty-related specials.

Statistical edge: Some specials have underlying patterns that can be quantified. For instance, analyzing which players are most likely to score first in specific matchups against specific opponents might reveal profitable patterns.

Market inefficiencies: Bookmakers sometimes adjust odds based on customer betting patterns rather than pure probability. If many casual bettors back a popular player to score first, bookmakers may shorten those odds to balance their book, creating value on the opposite outcome.

Bankroll Management for Specials

If you decide to bet on specials, proper bankroll management is essential:

1. Stake sizing: Treat special bets like any other wager. A common approach is the Kelly Criterion or a simplified version:

• Bet 1-2% of your bankroll on low-confidence specials
• Bet 2-5% on medium-confidence specials
• Never exceed 5-10% on even your highest-confidence bets

2. Diversification: Don't concentrate all your special bets on one event or outcome. Spread your action across multiple bets to reduce variance.

3. Emotional discipline: Special bets are often more entertaining than regular bets, which can lead to emotional betting. Set strict rules for yourself:

• Only bet on specials you've analyzed
• Don't chase losses with "revenge" bets
• Don't increase stakes after wins

4. Track and review: Keep detailed records of every special bet:

• What you bet
• The odds
• Your reasoning
• The outcome

Over time, this data reveals whether you actually have edge or are simply getting lucky.

Common Misconceptions About Special Bets

"Special Bets Are Always Worse Value"

This is false. While it's true that casual bettors often find better value in major markets, this doesn't mean specials are inherently worse value. In fact:

• Less professional attention means less efficient pricing
• Bookmakers may lack specialized data on niche specials
• Casual bettors' biases create mispricings that sharp bettors can exploit

The key is that value depends on your knowledge, not on the market type. A bettor with deep knowledge of first goalscorer patterns might find better value in that special than in the match result market.

"You Need Insider Knowledge to Win"

Another myth. You don't need insider information to find value in specials. Public data—historical statistics, team form, player performance metrics, weather conditions—is sufficient. What you need is:

• Willingness to do thorough research
• Ability to interpret data correctly
• Discipline to only bet when you identify genuine edge
• Emotional control to avoid betting on entertainment value alone

Many successful special bettors use only publicly available information combined with careful analysis.

The Evolution & Future of Special Bets

Historical Development

Special bets aren't a modern invention. Traditional bookmakers have offered alternative markets for decades, but the offerings were limited and inconsistent. In the early days of sportsbooks:

• Only major events received special betting markets
• The range of available specials was narrow
• Odds were set by hand, making complex specials impractical

The digital revolution transformed special betting. Online sportsbooks could:

• Offer hundreds of specials simultaneously
• Update odds in real-time based on live data
• Serve niche audiences interested in specific sports or events
• Expand beyond sports into entertainment and politics

Today, special bets represent a significant portion of sportsbook revenue, particularly during major events like the World Cup, Super Bowl, or Olympics.

Emerging Trends

Live/in-play specials: Bookmakers now offer special bets that update during events. You can bet on the next goalscorer, next team to score, or next player to receive a card—all while the match is happening. This creates dynamic odds and new opportunities.

Mobile accessibility: Special bets are increasingly optimized for mobile betting, making it easier for casual bettors to access these markets while watching events.

AI-driven odds: Advanced algorithms and machine learning are improving odds accuracy on specials, making them harder to beat but more fairly priced for casual bettors.

Expanded non-sporting specials: As regulatory environments evolve, expect more specials on political events, entertainment, and other non-sporting outcomes, particularly in regions where such betting is legal.

Player prop markets: The trend toward individual player specials (player props) continues to grow, especially in basketball and American football, driven by fantasy sports integration and increased player-level data availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a special bet?

A special bet is any wager that falls outside the three main betting categories (match result, handicaps, and totals). Special bets cover a wide range of alternative markets, from player-specific outcomes to non-sporting events like political elections or awards ceremonies.

What are examples of special bets in football?

Common football special bets include: first goalscorer, both teams to score (BTTS), anytime goalscorer, total corners, total yellow cards, half-time result, penalty awarded, and correct score. These markets let you bet on specific events or statistics within a match rather than just the final result.

How do special bets work?

You select an outcome from a special market (e.g., "Harry Kane to score first"), place your stake, and receive odds reflecting the bookmaker's assessment of that outcome's probability. If your prediction is correct, you win your stake multiplied by the odds. If incorrect, you lose your stake.

Are special bets more profitable than regular bets?

Not inherently. Profitability depends on your knowledge and ability to identify value. However, special bets often attract less professional attention than major markets, potentially creating inefficiencies that knowledgeable bettors can exploit. Casual bettors typically lose more on specials because they bet based on entertainment value rather than analysis.

What's the difference between special bets and prop bets?

Prop bets (proposition bets) are a subset of special bets. All prop bets are specials, but not all specials are props. Prop bets specifically focus on individual player or team actions within a game, while special bets encompass a broader category including non-sporting events.

Can you bet on non-sporting events?

Yes, in many jurisdictions. Bookmakers offer special bets on political elections, awards ceremonies (Oscars, Grammys), reality TV shows, and entertainment events. Availability depends on your location and local gambling regulations.

Where can I find special bets?

Major online sportsbooks offer extensive special betting markets. You'll typically find them in a dedicated "Specials" or "Props" section of the website or app. The number and variety of available specials increase significantly during major sporting events or entertainment occasions.

Related Terms

• Prop Bet
• Novelty Bet
• Enhanced Odds
• Exotic Bet
• Accumulator
• Value Betting