Betting Features at UK Bookmakers Explained

Betting features are a popular aspect of online betting sites in the UK, they can turn a run of the mill bookmaker into a popular market leading one. Giving customers a level of control once a bet is placed. They can often determine whether a bet can be exited early, adjusted, protected, or even rebuilt as an event unfolds.

UK bookmakers use betting features to manage risk for both themselves and their customers.
For the gamblers, these tools provide flexibility when odds move, teams score, or conditions change. For bookmakers, betting features reduce exposure during volatile markets.

In this guide we cover every major betting feature used by UK betting sites. Brief information on feature can be found below. But should one grab your attention, then we also provide a link to a complete dedicated guide for you to delve a little deeper.

What Are Betting Features?

Betting features are handy little tools that are built in to a bookmakers platforms. They can be applied, or activate, at varying times the betting lifecycle.

A feature may activate:

• Before a bet is placed
• While a match is live
• Before final settlement

Betting features operate with strict rules at each bookmaker. But not every market or sport qualifies for every feature.

Common limitations include:

• Market suspension during live play
• Odds recalculation delays
• Minimum and maximum cash out values

Understanding how each betting feature works helps to prevent any confusion, as most disputes come from misunderstanding the features rules rather than odds. So before you settle on a specific feature, it may be worth brushing up on how to bet on sports, especially if you are new to betting.

Core Betting Features

These popular betting features directly affect active bets. They can be found at most betting sites, and change your exposure, reduce loss, or lock in profit. But to help you out further, the guides we link to can help you find the best bookmakers that offer each betting feature.

Betting features by function

Feature	Changes bet outcome	Affects odds	Live use	Pre-match use
Cash Out	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Partial Cash Out	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited
Edit My Acca	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Acca Insurance	Yes	No	No	Yes
Bet Builder	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
In-Play Betting	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
WhatsApp Betting	No	No	No	Yes
Telegram Betting	No	No	No	Yes

Cash Out Betting

As you can probably guess, Cash out betting is a particular specialty of ours. It basically allows a bet to be settled early for a reduced return. The bookmaker calculates a live value based on current odds and match conditions. But you may need to act decisively as Cash out values change constantly and in real time. They may increase if the bet is going your way or drop during pressure moments.

Cash out is commonly used:

• To secure profit before full time
• To reduce losses when a bet turns unfavourable

However, cash out is not guaranteed as bookmakers can suspend it during goals, red cards, or VAR checks.

👉 Read the full guide: Cash Out Betting Explained

Partial Cash Out

Partial cash out works exactly the same as above, but allows only percentage of a bet to be settled early. The remaining portion continues at the original odds, but for a reduced stake.

This feature is most common on:

• Accumulators
• In-play bets

Partial cash out suits gamblers who want to lock in a profit without closing the bet fully. It balances risk and reward rather than waiting for a more favourable opportunity to cash out.

Edit My Acca

Edit My Acca allows for changes to be made to an accumulator after the bet has been placed.
You can add or remove single bets from any eligible accumulators.

The bookmaker recalculates:

• Odds
• Potential returns

Not all acca’s qualify and edited accumulators often lose bonus eligibility.

Edit My Acca is useful when:

• Team news changes
• A selection looks weak pre-match

👉 Full explanation: Edit My Acca Guide

Acca Insurance

Acca insurance is a common betting feature found at most UK bookmakers. It protects accumulator bets against one or more legs losing, depending on the bookie. So in most cases, if a single selection fails, the betting site will refund your initial stake.

Refunds usually apply as:

• Free bets
• Stake credits

Conditions often include:

• Minimum odds
• Minimum number of selections

Acca insurance reduces the risk, but don’t be tempted to add more or higher risk legs just because you’ll get a refund.

👉 Read more: Acca Insurance Explained

Bet Builder

Bet Builder are becoming a staple of UK betting, allowing multiple selections from the same event to form one bet.
Markets often include:

• Goals
• Cards
• Corners
• Player actions

These are technically different from standard accumulators and odds are calculated dynamically.
Just a few low odd selections can improve the potential return from just one game.

Bet Builder bets are popular for televised matches due to the fact you can track events in real time.

👉 See how it works: Bet Builder Explained

In-Play Betting

In-play betting is pretty self-explanatory, it allows for bets to be placed during live events. You don’t necessarily need to be watching it, but it certainly helps, as you can see capitalise on momentum shifts in real time and odds move with every significant action.

Live betting involves:

• Delays
• Market suspensions
• Real-time recalculations

Bookmakers use delays to manage their risk, so you can expect brief pauses in certain bet types during goal checks or penalties. This means bets won’t be able to be placed.

In-play betting suits users who react to momentum rather than just relying on pre-match form.

👉 Full guide: In-Play Betting Explained

Super Sub Betting Feature

Super Sub is a betting feature that changes how a football bet settles when a selected player is substituted.
Instead of the bet losing when a player leaves the pitch, the bookmaker replaces that player with a named substitute.

The substitute then takes over the original player’s role in the bet. So if you back a player to score and the replacement player goes on to score, then the bet is settled.

Super Sub typically applies to markets such as:

• Anytime goalscorer
• First goalscorer
• Shot or assist markets

Key points to understand:

• Only specific matches and markets qualify
• The substitute must be officially named by the bookmaker
• The feature applies automatically when eligible

Super Sub does not alter the odds of the original bet once the new player is introduced.

👉 Read the full guide: Super Sub Betting Explained

Messaging & Notification-Based Betting Features

This is actually a new feature and only a small number bookmakers have implemented it.  Message betting allows you to use popular messaging platforms to deliver updates.

Messaging-based features provide:

• Cash out alerts
• Price movements
• Account notifications

All depositing remains on the bookmaker site or app.

WhatsApp Betting

WhatsApp betting uses WhatsApp to send betting-related notifications and price/odds updates.

Typical messages include:

• Cash out availability
• Market changes
• Promotional alerts
• Bet confirmations

WhatsApp betting does not involve deposits, as they are handled securely via a website

👉 Full explanation: WhatsApp Betting Explained

Telegram Betting

Telegram betting uses Telegram for betting alerts and channels.

Telegram users can expect to find:

• Bookmaker channels
• Tipster groups
• Automated alert bots

Bookmaker-controlled channels are regulated and covered by the UK Gambling Commission, but be aware that Third-party channels such as tipster and off shore bookies are not.

Users generally treat Telegram as a tipster forum, but there are some gambling sites that will allow bet placements.

👉 Learn more: Telegram Betting Explained

Betting Features by Use

Depending on your betting style and what you like to bet on, the betting feature you use will change, as different betting goals require different features.

• Lock in profit early potential → Cash Out
• Reduce accumulator risk → Partial Cash Out / Acca Insurance
• Change a multi → Edit My Acca
• Combine same-match bets → Bet Builder
• React live → In-Play Betting
• Quick bet placing and tips → WhatsApp / Telegram Betting

Using these options as a guide, you will be able to choose betting site features based on intent rather than the promotion itself.

Are Betting Features the Same at All Bookmakers?

The short answer is no. Although the premise may be the same, rules can vary widely, as can the betting features available at betting sites.

Differences include:

• Eligibility rules
• Market coverage
• Timing restrictions
• Return calculations

Some bookmakers offer advanced flexibility, while others apply strict limits during live play. So always check feature-specific terms before relying on them.

Betting Features FAQs

Do betting features change the odds?

Some features alter effective returns.
Cash out values reflect live odds, not original prices.

Are betting features free to use?

Most are free.
Some include wagering conditions or stake limits.

Can betting features be ignored?

Yes. No feature forces action.

Are messaging-based betting tools safe?

Bookmaker alerts are regulated.
Third-party channels carry risk.

Final Thoughts on Betting Features

Betting features give you more control once a bet is placed. They can help you take an early profit, limit losses, or adjust a bet when things change during a match.

Not every bookmaker offers the same features, and the rules can differ depending on the sport or market. Knowing how each feature works makes it easier to avoid confusion and choose the right options for your style of betting.

We’ve done our best to bring all the main betting features together in one place, but we’ll update them as new ones are announced. Each feature links to a full guide so you can explore the one that matter to you in more detail and use them with confidence.