This glossary covers every tennis betting market that SlipMix converts across Nigerian bookmakers. Each market is defined plainly with one example. One important note up front: some markets — particularly Set Winner and Total Sets — behave differently depending on whether the match is best-of-3 or best-of-5. The format affects what markets are offered and how they settle.
Match Winner
The simplest tennis market. You pick which player wins the match outright. Unlike football 1X2, there is no draw — tennis always produces a winner.
Example: Alcaraz vs Medvedev. You pick Alcaraz. If Alcaraz wins in 3 sets or 5 sets, your selection wins. Medvedev wins — it loses.
If a player retires mid-match, bookmakers typically settle on the player who was leading at the point of retirement (or void the bet — check individual bookmaker rules).
Set Winner (1st Set / 2nd Set)
You predict which player wins a specific set, regardless of the overall match result.
Example: You pick Djokovic to win the 1st Set. Djokovic wins the opening set 7-5 — your selection wins, even if he goes on to lose the match.
Each set is settled independently. A bet on the 2nd Set requires the match to reach a 2nd set — if the match does not get there (e.g. the opponent retires in the 1st set), the 2nd Set market is usually voided.
Total Games Over/Under
You predict whether the total number of games played across the entire match will be over or under a set line. Common lines are 20.5, 22.5, 24.5 (for best-of-3 matches).
Example: You pick Over 22.5 Total Games. The match goes 7-6, 6-7, 7-5 = 38 games total — your selection wins. The match goes 6-3, 6-2 = 17 games — it loses.
Note: tiebreaks count as one game (not the individual points within the tiebreak).
1st Set Total Games Over/Under
The same concept as Total Games, but restricted to the first set only.
Example: You pick Over 10.5 games in the 1st Set. The set goes to 7-5 (12 games) — your selection wins. The set is 6-2 (8 games) — it loses. A 7-6 tiebreak set = 13 games (the tiebreak itself counts as one additional game).
Player Total Games (Over/Under)
You predict whether a specific player will win over or under a set number of games across the entire match.
Example: You pick Swiatek Over 11.5 games. Swiatek wins 6-4, 6-3 = 15 games — your selection wins. She wins 6-1, 6-2 = 15 games — also wins. She loses 4-6, 3-6 = 7 games — it loses.
Total Games Odd/Even
You predict whether the total number of games played in the match will be an odd or even number.
Example: The match ends 6-4, 7-5 = 22 games total (even). You picked Odd — your selection loses.
Total Sets Over/Under
You predict whether the match will require more or fewer sets than the line. For a best-of-3 match, the line is typically 2.5.
- Over 2.5 Sets — the match goes to 3 sets (a deciding set)
- Under 2.5 Sets — the match is decided in 2 sets (one player wins both sets)
Example (best-of-3): You pick Over 2.5 Sets. Rybakina wins 6-3 in the 3rd set after losing the 2nd — 3 sets played — your selection wins. She wins 6-3, 6-2 in 2 sets — your selection loses.
For best-of-5 matches (Grand Slam men's singles), the line is typically 3.5 or 4.5.
Game Handicap
One player is given a virtual games advantage or disadvantage. Settlement is based on the total games won across the whole match after applying the handicap.
Example: You pick Sinner (-4.5 games). Sinner wins 6-3, 7-5 = 13 games for Sinner, 8 for his opponent. Sinner minus 4.5 = 8.5 effective games vs 8 for the opponent. Sinner wins on the handicap — your selection wins.
Game Handicap is more commonly offered as a half-game line (eliminating ties) rather than a whole-game line.
Set Handicap
One player is given a virtual sets advantage or disadvantage. Settlement is based on sets won after the handicap is applied.
- In best-of-3, lines are typically -1.5 or +1.5.
- In best-of-5, lines include -2.5, -1.5, +1.5, +2.5.
Example (best-of-3): You pick Djokovic (+1.5 sets). Djokovic loses 2-0 (0 sets + 1.5 = 1.5 adjusted sets vs opponent's 2 sets). Djokovic loses on the handicap — your selection loses. If Djokovic wins 2-1 or 2-0, or loses 1-2, the handicap adjustment would need to be checked against the actual sets count.
For a cleaner example: Djokovic (+1.5) against a strong opponent. Djokovic loses the match 0-2. Adjusted: 0 + 1.5 = 1.5 for Djokovic vs 2 for the opponent. The opponent wins on handicap. But if Djokovic loses 1-2 (takes at least one set): 1 + 1.5 = 2.5 for Djokovic vs 2 for opponent — Djokovic covers the +1.5 handicap and your selection wins.
How format affects available markets
| Format | Sets needed to win | Total Sets line | Total Games lines | |--------|--------------------|----------------|------------------| | Best-of-3 | 2 | 2.5 | 20.5 – 26.5 | | Best-of-5 | 3 | 3.5 / 4.5 | 30.5 – 42.5 |
Best-of-5 is used in Grand Slam men's singles and Davis Cup ties. All other professional matches are best-of-3. Some bookmakers do not offer the full range of markets on lower-tier matches or qualifying rounds.
Tennis market explainers
- Tennis Match Winner: Retirement, Walkover, and Void Rules — how Match Winner settles when a player retires, walks over, or is disqualified; bookmaker-by-bookmaker differences
- Tennis Set Handicap and Game Handicap Explained — how to read handicap lines, BO3 vs BO5 differences, why half-number lines are standard
- Tennis Total Games Betting Explained — Total Games O/U, Player Total Games, Odd/Even Games, and how tiebreaks count
- Tennis Correct Score, Exact Sets, and Double Result Explained — Correct Score in sets, Exact Sets, and the 1st Set/Match combined market
- Tennis Set Betting Explained — Win a Set, Exactly N Sets, Any Set to Nil, Will There Be a Tiebreak
- Tennis Xth Set Markets Explained — per-set markets: Set Winner, Total Games, Odd/Even, Correct Score in a set, Race to X Games
- Tennis Game-by-Game Markets Explained — Game Winner, To Deuce, Exact Points, Odd/Even Points, Race to X Points, First X Points Winner
Converting tennis slips
SlipMix converts all of the markets above between Bet9ja, SportyBet, 1xBet, and Stake. If the target bookmaker does not offer a specific tennis market on a particular match, that leg is skipped and shown in the result with a reason.
For football markets, see Football Betting Markets Explained.
For Wimbledon-specific market details including format differences between men's and women's draw, see Wimbledon Betting Markets Explained.
Frequently asked questions
Does a tiebreak count as one game? Yes. In total games markets, a tiebreak counts as a single game (the tiebreak game that completes the set at 7-6). The individual points within the tiebreak are not counted.
What happens if a player retires mid-match? Bookmakers generally settle on whoever was winning at the point of retirement. Markets tied to incomplete sets or future sets are typically voided — but rules vary by bookmaker. For a full breakdown by bookmaker and by market type, see Tennis Match Winner: Retirement and Void Rules Explained.
Why isn't a Total Sets market available on this match? Bookmakers sometimes limit markets on lower-tier events, qualifying rounds, or doubles matches. Not every tennis match has the full range of markets available.
What is the difference between Player Total Games and Total Games? Total Games counts every game played by both players combined. Player Total Games counts only the games won by one specific player.
How does Set Handicap settle if a match is retired? Usually the same retirement rule applies — settle on the result at the point of retirement, void incomplete sets. This varies by bookmaker.