Many sports events do not always end with a clear winner, which can make understanding bet results confusing. How a tie, draw or equal finish is settled depends on the sport and the market you’ve chosen.
This blog post explains what “winner of tie” means in sports betting, and how different outcomes are handled in football, cricket, tennis and other popular events. It also covers how bookmakers settle bets if the result is level at the final whistle or at the end of a match.
You will also find plain explanations of common settlement terms such as push, void, refund and half-won bets, plus where to check the official rules. If you choose to bet, keep it within your means.
What Does Winner Of Tie Mean In Sports Betting?
In sports betting, the term “winner of tie” refers to who is settled as the winner if a match or contest ends with both teams or players on equal points, goals or runs. This comes up in sports that allow tied results after regular play, such as football or cricket.
Some bets focus on the outcome after regular time, where a draw may be an option or the only result the market cares about. Other markets ask for the overall winner, which could include any extra time, penalties or other tiebreak methods.
A “winner of tie” market is also used for competitions or two-legged matches, where the overall result is based on the total across more than one game. Backing this option means you are on the selection that wins the tie under the full set of rules, not just a single leg or one part of the fixture.
To avoid surprises, check how the specific market defines the result and whether any tiebreak procedures are included.
How Do Bookmakers Settle Bets When A Match Ends In A Draw?
Bookmakers have clear rules for settling bets if a match ends in a draw. The outcome depends on the market selected.
In markets where a draw is possible, such as Match Result or 1X2, bets are settled on the score at the end of regular time. In these, a draw is a valid outcome.
For markets that focus only on the winner, such as To Win or Moneyline, different sports handle ties in different ways. In some cases, bets might be refunded, declared void or marked as a push. Some operators offer separate options for the draw, or they state that extra time and penalties count.
Special options like Draw No Bet return stakes if the match ends level. It is worth reading the market description before placing a wager so you know exactly what counts.
Football: How A Draw Becomes A Deciding Result With Extra Time Or Penalties
In football, it is common for matches to finish level after the regular 90 minutes. During knockout stages of tournaments, a winner usually needs to be found, so the match goes to extra time and, if still level, a penalty shootout.
Different bet types focus on different stages of the match. Standard Match Result markets usually settle on the score at the end of regular time, so a draw is a valid option in these cases. Markets like To Qualify or To Lift the Trophy include extra time and penalties, with bets settled on the team that advances or wins the trophy.
Reading the market title and description before selecting a bet helps make sure the settlement lines up with what you expect. With that in mind, it is useful to see how another sport treats tied finishes.
Cricket: Tied Matches, Super Overs And Bet Settlement
In cricket, a tie can occur when both teams finish with the same number of runs at the end of normal play. This is most common in limited-overs formats like One Day Internationals and T20s. A draw, which is different from a tie, can also occur in multi-day matches when time runs out and no result is reached.
Some competitions use a Super Over to decide a winner in limited-overs games. Each team faces one extra over, and the team with more runs in that over is declared the winner.
Settlement depends on the market. Some options settle on the result after regular play, so a tie would be paid as such. Others, such as team to win the match, may include a Super Over if it is used. The market rules for the event will state which approach applies.
Moving from team sports to head-to-head contests, the picture looks a little different again.
Tennis And Head-To-Head Events: Tie-Breaks And Match Winners
In tennis and many head-to-head sports, matches are structured to produce a winner. If players reach the same score in a set, a tiebreak is usually played to decide the set. The overall match winner market settles on the final result after all sets and any tiebreaks.
If a contest is abandoned, retired or not completed, bookmakers have different settlement rules. Some refund stakes, while others void or settle if a specific portion of the match has been completed, depending on the sport and market.
Before placing a wager, a quick look at the tournament rules and the market terms will show how these situations are handled.
What Happens To Different Bet Types If The Result Is A Tie?
Bet settlement after a tie varies by market and bookmaker policy. Knowing the common terms helps you read a rules page quickly and understand what will happen if a result finishes level.
Push
A “push” occurs when neither side wins and the stake is returned. This usually happens in markets where a tie was not one of the offered options. For example, in handicap or point spread bets, if the result lands exactly on the line, the bet is classed as a push.
Void
A void bet is cancelled by the bookmaker and the stake is refunded in full, as if the bet had not taken place. This can occur if the tie was not anticipated under the market rules or if an event is not completed.
Refund
A refund returns the original amount wagered. Some bet types, such as Draw No Bet, automatically return stakes if the result is a tie.
Half-Won
Half-won and half-lost outcomes can occur in certain markets like Asian handicap betting. If the result sits between two lines, part of the stake is settled as a win or a loss, and the remaining portion is returned.
If you want to be certain how these terms are used for a specific market, the rules section described next is the place to look.
How To Find The Official Rules For Settling A Tie?
Finding the official rules for how a bookmaker settles tied matches is straightforward once you know where to look. Most operators publish them on their website in the terms and conditions or under sections titled betting rules or settlement rules.
Search for pages that explain how the bookmaker handles draws or ties for each sport and market type. Help centres and FAQs often summarise this in plain language, and customer support can clarify anything that is still unclear through live chat, email or phone.
If you choose to place any bets, stick to amounts that fit your circumstances and take breaks. If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek support early. Independent organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware offer free, confidential help.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.