Void Bets – Why Do They Happen?

When you engage in sports betting, you may come across the term void bet. Learning about it helps you know more about your bets. This way, you won’t be surprised if a bet is canceled.

Here, we look at what it is, why void bets happen, and what impact they can have.

Table of content

Void Bets Key Takeaways

Void bets occur when a bet is canceled, making it as if the bet never happened.
Your money is refunded, but there are no winnings or losses.
Void bets can happen due to event cancellations, player injuries, or bookmaker errors.
They can impact accumulators by reducing potential payouts while also lowering risk.
Bonuses and free bets might not count if a bet is voided, so understanding bookmaker policies is key.

What Are Void Bets?

Imagine you make a bet, but then it’s like it never happened. This is what we call a void bet. This can happen for many reasons, like if a sports game is called off. A void bet can be a relief if you thought you might lose. But it can be a letdown if you were hoping to win.

When this occurs, the money you put down for the bet returns to you. It’s as though you never made the bet in the first place. So, you don’t lose any money, but you also don’t win anything from that bet.

Void bets can mess with strategies, especially if you’re putting together multiple bets in an “accumulator.” An accumulator is when you combine several bets for a bigger payout. If one bet is void, it can change the total winnings you were aiming for.

Void bets can also affect special offers, like free bets or bonuses. Sometimes, these offers have rules that require you to bet a certain amount. If a bet is void, it might not count towards these rules.

Reasons for Void Bets

Knowing why it happens can help you feel less frustrated when a bet fails.

Event Postponement or Cancellation

Sometimes, sports events get delayed or canceled. This can happen if the weather is bad, safety worries, or something goes wrong with the plans. 

Betting sites will then say that any bets made don’t count. This is because the problem was out of their hands and yours too.

Injuries and Withdrawals

Sports are unpredictable. Sometimes, players get hurt during warm-up or have to leave suddenly for personal reasons. 

When this happens, like if a top tennis player quits a tournament before a match, or a racehorse gets hurt right before a race, it changes the game a lot. Bookmakers may then cancel any bets on those players or horses.

void-bets-injury

Bookmaker Errors

People sometimes make mistakes when setting odds for events, or computers might mess up. This can lead to wrong odds that are much higher than what other places offer. 

When betting companies see these mistakes, they can cancel any bets with those wrong odds. Their rules and guidelines usually say they can do this.

Event Conditions Changes

Sometimes, if an event changes in a big way, bets on it may be canceled. This can happen if the event moves to a new place, plays on a different kind of ground, or changes the way the event runs. 

These changes can make the event seem less fair or change what people expect will happen. When this happens, the people who take the bets might cancel them. They do this to look out for themselves and those making the bets.

If you find reading about different betting types interesting, check out our article on suspended bets.

FAQ About Void Bets

⭐ What is a void bet?

Void in betting means that when a bet is called off, it’s as if you never placed it – you get your money back without any win or loss.

⭐ Why can a bet be voided?

Bets can be voided for several reasons. It’s event cancellations, injuries or withdrawals, bookmaker errors, or changes in event conditions.

⭐ How do void bets affect accumulators?

If one selection in your accumulator is void, it’s removed, and the remaining selections are recalculated. Your potential winnings will be less, but the accumulator can still win.

⭐ Do void bets count toward bonus requirements?

No, void bets usually don’t count towards wagering requirements. You need to ensure your bets meet the terms to qualify for bonuses.

⭐ What should I do if my bet is void and I'm not sure why?

Contact the bookmaker’s support team. Have your bet information ready, like account details, time and date of the bet, and any related emails. They can explain why it was voided and help resolve issues.

Void Bets in Accumulators

When you bet on sports, it’s good to know about ‘void bets’ in accumulators. An accumulator, or ‘acca’, is a bet that combines several picks into one. It can make betting more exciting. But if any pick in your acca is void, it can change things.

How Void Bets Affect Your Acca

Let’s say you chose five games to win in your bet. If one game is called off, your bet changes to just four games. 

Here’s what happens next:

The chances of winning for your bet are figured out again with the games that are still on.
How much money you could win is also recalculated.
The money you bet on the cancelled game is given back to you.

Think of a void bet in an acca like using an eraser. It removes the part you don’t need but keeps the rest of your choices safe. 

Potential Winnings

This part can be good and bad. The good is that you get your bet back, so you risk less. The bad is that your acca now has fewer bets, which means the total odds go down. This lowers how much you could win.

For those new to accas, a void bet is not as bad as a lost bet. It’s like a safety feature that lets your bet keep going, but with a little change to what you could win. 

Some bettors might be happy they got their bet back, but others might be sad that their acca is smaller and less exciting.

The more you bet with accumulators, the more you’ll see that void bets can be helpful. But remember, different betting sites have different rules for this. Knowing these rules is important when you’re betting on sports.

bad-weather-conditions

Free Bets

Bookmakers often give out free bets to attract new people or keep their current customers happy. If a bet is canceled, what happens to the free bet depends on the bookmaker’s rules. 

Some will give the free bet back to the customer so they can try again. Others say the free bet is spent, even if the game or event didn’t happen. The customer won’t get anything back in this case.

Customers should read the rules about free bets and canceled bets on the bookmaker’s website. Some bookmakers give back free bets after a cancellation to be nice, but they don’t have to.

Bookmaker Policies on Void Bets

The rules for when a bet is void can change depending on the bookmaker. Here’s what you need to know:

Some bookmakers list many reasons a bet might be void. Others decide on a case-by-case basis.
Bookmakers have their own rules for how long they’ll wait for a postponed event to happen before they void the bet.
If you have a bet with several parts and one part gets voided, different bookmakers have different rules for what happens to the rest of your bet.
Sometimes, a bookmaker might post the wrong odds because of an error. Some will stick with the wrong odds if you’ve already bet, while others won’t.

Remember, knowing these rules can save you from losing money if a bet is canceled. 

Getting Help

When a bettor finds out their bet is void, it can be confusing. They might need to know more about why this happened. To fix any problems, they should talk to the bookmaker’s help team.

Firstly, it’s important to understand that the void meaning in betting refers to a situation where the bet is treated as if it never happened. You usually get your money back. Bets can be void for many reasons, like if a sports game is canceled.

If you’re not sure why your bet was void, you should ask the bookmaker. They can tell you the reason and help sort things out. It’s best to get in touch with them right away.

Remember, the bookmaker’s support team is there to help you. They can explain things and make sure you understand what’s going on with your bet. 

Reputable bookmakers typically offer a few ways to contact them.

You can try live chat to talk to someone right away. If you have a lot to say or need to send files, email is best. 

The phone support line is also useful. Try to reach out on social media, where some bookmakers answer questions.

When you get in touch, be ready with your bet info. This means your account details, the bet’s time and date, what you bet on, and any emails or proof you have. Being clear and exact helps solve things faster.

Final Thoughts On Void Bets

Understanding void bets is important in sports betting. They can mess up your betting plans, especially if you have multiple bets linked together. But knowing why they happen can help you deal with them better.

Bets can be void for several reasons. Sometimes, a sports event might be called off, or a player might not take part. Bookmakers can also make mistakes, or something about the event might change.

It’s good to know what the bookmaker’s rules are about void bets. This way, you won’t be surprised by what happens. When you understand void bets, you can use this knowledge to make your betting strategy even better. 

Dalius Mikalauskas

Sports Betting Expert

Dalius became interested in sports betting at the age of 16, although he could not place bets at that time (bets accepted from the age of 18). However, it was not forbidden to sell betting picks, which is what the author did actively on sports betting forums. Today, he has more than 18 years of experience in sports betting. In school, the auth ..
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