UK 49s How to Bet
Betting UK 49s takes three decisions: which draw, which numbers, and how much. You choose a draw (Lunchtime or Teatime), pick one to five numbers from 1 to 49, set your stake in rand, and confirm before the cut-off — that’s a fixed-odds bet on the official result, not a lottery ticket. If your numbers land among the balls drawn, the bookmaker pays your stake times a fixed multiple, settled instantly. Here’s each step in full.
The draw itself is seven balls from a pool of 1 to 49, including the Booster. Your job is to back the numbers you think will appear, not to match a full line. The markets are live at Scorebet.
Step 1: choose your draw
UK 49s runs twice a day, so first you pick which draw you’re betting:
They’re independent draws with identical format and odds — bet one, the other, or both as separate punts. The exact SAST times shift with UK daylight saving, so check the live next-draw clock at Scorebet for the cut-off before you start.
Step 2: pick 1 to 5 numbers (plus the Booster)
Now choose how many numbers to back, from one up to five, and which ones. This is the decision that sets your odds:
| Bet | What must happen | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ball | one number drawn | most common win, smallest multiple |
| 2 Balls | both numbers drawn | longer odds, bigger multiple |
| 3–5 Balls | all picks drawn | multiples climb fast, hit rate drops fast |
On the bets that allow it, you can include the Booster — the seventh ball — which widens the pool your numbers can match. Which specific numbers you pick doesn’t change your odds at all; only how many does. (If you’re tempted by hot/cold tables, the Hot and Cold Numbers page explains why they don’t give you an edge.)
Step 3: set your stake and confirm
Last, set the amount in rand. UK 49s lets you size the bet yourself rather than buy a fixed ticket, so stake what you’re comfortable losing. The screen shows the fixed multiple before you confirm — that number is your whole return, so read it.
A worked example: you stake R20 on a 1 Ball Lunchtime bet. If your number is among the balls drawn, you collect R20 times the fixed multiple shown, settled straight to your wallet. Spread the same R20 across two single-number bets and you’ve hedged — one can miss while the other pays. Push to a 4 or 5 Ball bet and you’re chasing a far bigger return that lands far less often. The trade is always the same: fatter payout, longer odds.
How the bet settles and pays
Once the draw is confirmed, your bet settles automatically against the official result — no manual claim. Winnings land in your Scorebet wallet instantly, and withdrawals run on the usual local rails (Instant EFT, cards, e-wallets) once your account is FICA-verified.
The honest part: the fixed-odds multiples carry a built-in margin for the bookmaker, which is the house edge on every bet whether it wins or loses. That’s the cost of the fast, twice-daily punt. Bet to a budget, take the fixed odds you can see upfront, and bank your wins. The full picture of the game sits on the UK 49s guide.
Frequently asked
How do you bet on UK 49s?
Choose a draw (Lunchtime or Teatime), pick one to five numbers from 1 to 49, optionally add the Booster, set your stake in rand and confirm before cut-off. It's a fixed-odds bet on the official result, not a lottery ticket.
What is the minimum number you can bet in UK 49s?
One. A 1 Ball bet backs a single number to be drawn — it's the shortest odds and the most common win. You can build up to five numbers, with the multiple rising and the hit rate dropping at each step.
What is the Booster ball in UK 49s betting?
The Booster is a seventh ball drawn after the six main balls. On bets that include it, the Booster counts among the numbers your selection can match, widening the pool your picks can land in.
Should I bet the same numbers on both Lunchtime and Teatime?
You can, but they're two independent fixed-odds bets with two stakes, not one bet covering both — a number that lands at Lunchtime says nothing about Teatime. Running the same picks twice a day simply doubles your action and your outlay, and the house margin sits on each draw separately. Treat each as its own punt rather than thinking you're hedging.
Why doesn't which numbers I pick change my odds, only how many?
Because every number from 1 to 49 is equally likely to be drawn, so a 1-ball on 7 has the identical chance as a 1-ball on 44. The only thing that shifts the price is how many of your picks all have to land at once — that's what makes a 3-ball far longer than a 1-ball. The book prices the count, not the specific numbers, which is why hot or lucky picks don't earn you a better multiple.