Rainbet sports betting, simply explained

What Canadian bettors look for

The lineup that matters most in Canada is on board: hockey with the NHL, basketball with the NBA and the Raptors, football in both codes – CFL and NFL – plus soccer with MLS and the Canadian Premier League. UFC and MMA cards and esports titles round it off. Which leagues and markets are actually open depends on the operator and the season.

Pre-match and live

Pre-match means betting before an event starts. Live means you bet during the game; odds then change continuously. Live betting demands quick decisions – set yourself a limit beforehand.

Key market types

• Moneyline (1X2): home win, draw or away win – in hockey and basketball usually a two-way moneyline including overtime.
• Over/Under (totals): a bet above or below a line, for example on goals or points.
• Handicap / spread (puck line, run line): one team starts with a notional advantage or disadvantage.
• Props and specials: e.g. player statistics or events within the game.
• Parlays: several selections combined on one slip – every leg has to win.

Odds formats

Odds show the ratio between stake and possible payout. In the decimal format – the default at Rainbet – odds of 2.00 mean a possible total return of twice your stake (stake included): $50 becomes $100. American odds are common in Canada too: −150 means you stake $150 to win $100, +200 means a $100 stake wins $200; you can usually switch the format in the settings. Higher odds signal an outcome judged less likely – and higher risk.

Bet slip and cash-out

In the bet slip you collect your selections, enter the stake and see the possible payout. A cash-out – settling an open bet early – is available only if the operator offers it for that market. We describe it as an option only where it is verified to exist.

Settlement and cancelled events

If an event is abandoned or postponed, settlement follows the operator’s rules. Before you stake, check how cancellations, overtime and shoot-outs, or rule changes are handled – in hockey, for example, whether a bet includes overtime.