Process & practice
Filling in and placing a betting slip: how to place your bet
On the betting slip you enter the fixture, your pick, the bet type and your stake. Then you hand it in at the till or confirm it at the self-service terminal and pay your stake. You get a voucher as proof, which you keep until the payout.
Enter the fixture, betting event, stake and bet type on the betting slip, hand it in at the till or terminal and keep the voucher safe as your proof. You can only collect a win later if you have the voucher.
Placing a betting slip step by step
- Pick up a blank betting slip at the stand, or start at the self-service terminal.
- Enter or select the fixture, the betting event and the result you want.
- Set the stake and specify the bet type (single, accumulator, system).
- Hand the slip in at the till or confirm it at the terminal, then pay your stake.
- Keep the voucher safe and collect any win once the match has finished.
Which fields belong on a betting slip?
A betting slip needs several mandatory details. These are the fixture (for example team A versus team B), the date of the event, the bet type (home win, draw, away win), the odds and the stake. On an accumulator slip, you enter several events that all have to come in for you to win.
In our betting shop you can pick up pre-printed betting slips and fill them in with a pen. At the self-service terminal you enter everything straight onto the touchscreen. If anything is unclear, our staff at the till are happy to help.
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Home team vs. away team, e.g. Bayern vs. Dortmund |
| Date / kick-off time | Time of the event, so the slip can be matched clearly |
| Pick | Home win (1), draw (X), away win (2), over/under etc. |
| Odds | Decimal number, e.g. 2.50 (shows the possible return factor) |
| Stake | The amount you want to stake |
| Bet type | Single bet, accumulator slip or system bet |
To see how a visit works overall, read How a betting shop works.
Bet slip Example - Team A : Team BHome win (1)2.10
- Team C : Team DOver 2.5 goals1.75
- Total odds
- 3.68
- Stake
- 10.00 €
- Potential winnings
- 36.80 €
Purely illustrative. Not a tip, not an offer. Please play responsibly. 18+
How do I read the odds on the betting slip?
The odds are a decimal number, for example 2.50. They show how much you get paid out per euro staked if your bet wins. Stake 10 euros at odds of 2.50 and you get 25 euros back. That figure includes your stake, so your net win is 15 euros.
On accumulator slips, the individual odds are multiplied together. That gives higher total odds, but every tip has to be right. If just one result misses, the betting slip is lost.
Worth noting: in Germany a betting tax of 5 percent applies to sports bets. At Tipico it is not included in the odds but calculated separately. How it is shown on your betting slip is set out in the terms of participation and on the slip itself.
For a detailed explanation, see Reading and understanding betting odds.
How stake and odds shape the possible win (schematic). Source:Example calculation, not real odds
Single bet, accumulator or system bet: what is the difference?
A single bet covers exactly one event. You tip, say, one team to win and enter that tip on the betting slip. How the match plays out and ends decides whether you win.
An accumulator slip links several single tips. The odds are multiplied, so a noticeably higher payout is possible if every event is predicted correctly. The risk rises to match, though: one wrong tip makes the whole slip a loser.
System bets are a third option. Here, not every tip has to be right for you to win something. They are a bit more complex to work out and suit more experienced bettors. For the details, see Bet types at a glance.
| Bet type | Tips needed | Win if you slip up |
|---|---|---|
| Single bet | 1 | Only if this tip is right |
| Accumulator slip | 2 or more | All have to be right |
| System bet | 3 or more | Partial wins possible with partial hits |
When is a betting slip invalid?
A betting slip is invalid if details are missing or illegible, or if the match has already started. Common ones are illegible entries, missing mandatory details, or an event that had already started when you handed it in. For many bet types, slips are no longer accepted once the match has kicked off.
At the terminal, the slip is checked the moment you confirm it. If something is wrong, a message appears on screen. At the till, the staff check the slip before they accept it. If in doubt, ask before you pay your stake.
- Illegible handwriting on paper slips
- Missing or contradictory details
- Event has already started (depending on the bet type)
- Technical errors at the terminal
- Bet type or fixture not on offer
How long can I redeem a winning slip?
The redemption period for winning slips is on the voucher or in the terms of participation. It is usually several weeks to a few months after the match ends. Don't leave it too long, because expired slips are no longer paid out.
The voucher is your only proof. Without it, a payout usually isn't possible with anonymous cash play, because there is no central record linking the bet to you. If you use a customer card, your bets can be traced through the account. That is one of the card's big advantages.
If you lose your betting slip, speak to the shop staff straight away. What you can do next depends on whether you bet with a customer card. To learn more about the customer card, see Customer card in the betting shop.
For how payouts work at the betting shop, read Payout at the betting shop.
What changes with a customer card?
If you use a customer card, you bet without cash. The credit on the card pays for your stake. Every bet is stored on the card, so you can look it up afterwards, and winnings go straight onto the card balance.
That brings practical benefits: you no longer need a paper slip as proof, you can call up your betting history at any time, and you can set player-protection limits to steer your betting. Sports betting carries financial risks, though. Use limits to keep your budget under control. The BZgA offers free, anonymous counselling on 0800 1372700.
More from the Knowledge section
Sources and further information: GlüStV 2021: First Interstate Treaty on Gambling
Frequently asked questions
Can I also call up my betting slip digitally?
With a customer card, you can often see the bets you placed in the shop straight away in your history. Every bet is stored on the card, so you no longer need a paper voucher. Without a customer card, many betting shops give you no digital access to paper slips you have placed. So always keep the voucher safe.
How long do I have to redeem my winning slip?
The redemption period is on the voucher or in the terms of participation, and it is often several weeks to a few months. Collect winnings promptly so your claim doesn't expire.
What happens if a match on my betting slip is cancelled?
Cancelled or unplayed matches are usually settled at odds of 1.00 or taken off the slip, so your tips don't fall away completely. The exact rule is set out in the terms of participation, where you can check it.
Can I place bets at the betting shop without a customer card too?
Yes. In many betting shops you can bet anonymously without a customer card and pay in cash. The voucher then counts as your only proof. A customer card, though, unlocks extra features such as player-protection limits and a view of your past bets. Read more under Customer card in the betting shop.
How much is the betting tax on sports bets?
In Germany the betting tax is 5 percent. At Tipico it is not included in the odds but calculated separately. How it is shown on your betting slip is set out in the terms of participation and on the slip itself. This note is no substitute for tax advice.
