Pools betting is a form of betting where players take part in the same pool and compete for the prizes available, rather than placing a traditional fixed-odds bet against a bookmaker.
Instead of being offered odds on an outcome, players enter a pool with a set of rules determining what is required to win. Once the relevant sporting event or events have taken place, the winners are determined and the prizes are paid according to the rules of that pool.
How does pools betting work?
The exact format varies between different pools, but the basic principle remains the same.
Players enter a pool before the relevant event begins. Each pool has its own winning criteria and prize structure, which should be available to view before entering.
The sporting action then determines the outcome. Once the pool has been completed, prizes are awarded to the players who meet the winning criteria.
Unlike traditional betting, the focus is therefore on competing within a pool for the available prizes, rather than simply placing a bet at specified odds.
Pools betting vs fixed-odds betting
The main difference between pools betting and traditional fixed-odds betting is how your potential winnings are determined.
With fixed-odds betting, a bookmaker offers odds on a particular outcome. When you place your bet, those odds tell you how much you could receive if your selection is successful.
Pools betting doesn't work in the same way. Instead, players enter a pool with its own prize structure and compete based on the rules of that particular game.
There doesn't need to be a set of traditional betting odds attached to every possible outcome. What matters is whether you meet the conditions required to win a prize from the pool.
Can there be more than one winner?
Yes. Depending on the rules of the pool, multiple players may achieve the same winning outcome.
Where a prize is shared, the amount each winning player receives will depend on the rules and prize structure of that particular pool.
For example, if a £100 prize is shared equally between four winners, each winner would receive £25.
Some pools may also offer multiple prizes or different winning levels. The important thing is to check the rules and prize information before entering so you understand exactly how prizes are awarded.
Are pools betting prizes always the same?
Not necessarily.
How prizes are calculated can vary between different pools and operators. Some pools may have predetermined prizes, while others may calculate prizes differently depending on how the pool has been structured.
This is why the prize information and individual rules of a pool are important. They explain what prizes are available and what happens when more than one player qualifies for the same prize.
What do I need to know before entering a pool?
Before playing, it's worth checking the rules of the individual pool. These should explain what you need to do to win, when the pool begins and ends, the prizes available and how prizes are handled if there are multiple winners.
Different pools can work in very different ways, even though they're based on the same overall principle.
Pools betting at Match15
Match15 uses pools betting to create games based around football.
Rather than traditional fixed-odds betting, Match15 players take part in games with their own rules, winning conditions and prizes, with real football action determining the outcome.
The exact mechanics can vary from one Match15 game to another, so you should always check the information and rules for the individual game before playing.
At its simplest, that's what pools betting is: players taking part in the same game and competing for the prizes available based on a defined set of rules.