Tennis: sets, games and retirement rules
Tennis is a head-to-head sport with no draw and matches that can turn with every set. Its markets are simple, but settlement rules hide a detail that matters a lot for bonuses: what happens when a player retires. Depending on the rule, a bet may be voided, stand or be settled on the partial score.
Common markets
| Market | What you bet on |
|---|---|
| Match winner | Who wins the match |
| Set score | Exact score in sets, such as 2-0 or 2-1 |
| Game handicap | A head start or deficit in games |
| Total games | Over or under X games in the match |
| Set winner | Who wins a specific set |
Retirements and voids
When a player withdraws through injury or another reason, rules vary: some books void match-winner bets if the match is not completed; others let them stand if at least one set was finished. Markets already decided, such as first-set winner, are normally settled. Read the retirement rule before betting. Voided bets are refunded and generally do not count toward a sports bonus's wagering.
Odds and bonuses
Clear favourites in tennis have very low prices, often below a bonus's minimum odds. Illustrative example, not a Jonbet condition: minimum odds of 1.80 and a favourite at 1.25 — the bet does not count even if it wins. Game handicaps often price near 1.90, closer to the minimum.
In-play tennis
Point-by-point play makes live prices very volatile. Some promotions exclude in-play bets from wagering, others require minimum odds at the moment of betting. Live cash-out may not count.
Surfaces and the calendar
Clay, grass and hard courts suit different styles, and a packed calendar brings fatigue and withdrawals. For bonus users that has a direct effect: tournaments with back-to-back matches raise the chance of retirements and therefore of void bets that do not count. Consider that before concentrating a bonus's volume on a single event.
Match format
Best-of-three and best-of-five matches change total-games and handicap lines. Check the tournament format before comparing prices across matches. Tie-break rules in the final set also differ between events and affect total-games markets in close matches.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if a player retires?
Do void bets count toward wagering?
Why did my favourite not count for the bonus?
See also cricket and football, or go back to sports betting.