Jimmy Boyd in 
If you’ve ever scanned betting odds and seen an option for “The Field,” you might wonder what the heck that means. Don’t worry – it’s not referring to an actual playing field.
In sports betting, “the field” refers to a wager on all the competitors in an event that are not listed by name. In other words, it’s a catch-all category covering any contender not individually assigned odds on the betting board.
Betting “the field” essentially means you’re taking “everyone else” against the favorites or listed options. Sportsbooks use field bets when there are too many possible participants to list each one, or when a few options are so popular that it’s easier to group all the long shots together.
If one of those long-shot, unlisted contenders ends up winning, a field bet pays out.
Think of it this way: if your pick isn’t explicitly named in the odds, they’re part of “the field.”
For example, suppose a sportsbook shows odds for ten top contestants in a contest. “The Field” would represent any other contestant outside those ten. If any of those “others” wins, the field bet wins.
It’s a handy option that lets you bet on “anyone else” without choosing a specific underdog.
“The Field” in Futures Betting (Majors, Races & Awards)
Field bets are very common in futures markets – long-term bets on tournament winners or season awards. In futures like championships or big events, sportsbooks often list the most likely winners and then offer a field option covering all other possibilities. Here are some common futures scenarios where you’ll encounter the field:
- Golf Tournaments (e.g. The Masters): In major golf tournaments, you might see odds for all the top players (e.g. Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, etc.), and then an entry for “Field (Any other golfer)”. This means if any golfer not listed by name wins the Masters, a field bet wins. For instance, during Tiger Woods’ dominance in the 2000s, one popular bet was “Tiger vs. The Field.” Tiger would have a low individual odds, and “The Field” essentially covered every other golfer in the tournament. If an underdog triumphed, field bettors cashed in. Oddsmakers often listed Tiger and a handful of stars, while grouping the remaining dozens of players as the field due to their long-shot status. This gave bettors an option to take all the unknowns at once. There have been times a relatively unheralded golfer took the Green Jacket – if you bet the field in 2016, for example, you’d have won when Danny Willett (a lesser-known name at the time) won The Masters. Sportsbooks offer the field in golf because it’s impractical to post odds for every single player, and lumping the long shots together still gives them a chance to attract bets on the “rest of the pack.”
- Auto Racing (e.g. Daytona 500): Marquee NASCAR races like the Daytona 500 often have a field bet. A betting site might list odds for the top 20-30 drivers (e.g. Denny Hamlin 10/1, Kyle Larson 12/1, etc.) and then an option for “Field (Any other driver)”. That field entry covers all the other drivers not listed individually. In a race with 40+ entrants, some lesser-known drivers won’t be named – but if one of them shockingly wins, the field bet hits. For example, when long-shot Trevor Bayne won the 2011 Daytona 500 at just 20 years old, he was such an underdog that not all books even had him listed at significant odds (some listed him around 80/1, others may have had him as part of a field). Anyone who had the foresight (or luck) to take the field that year ended up beating the favorites and cashing a nice ticket. Sportsbooks include a field option in races because there are so many participants and a surprise winner is always possible.
- Horse Racing Futures (Kentucky Derby): In early Kentucky Derby futures pools, “the field” is practically an annual tradition. Before the final Derby lineup is set, bookmakers offer futures on prominent horses and then one bet on “All Other 3-Year-Olds”, which is the field. This field bet includes any horse that isn’t specifically named in that pool. Interestingly, in Derby futures, the field is often a favorite in the wagering, because there are always new horses emerging before Derby day. For example, a future wager might list 23 individual horses with odds, and the 24th option is “All others” (the field) which might be, say, 5/2 odds. If a horse outside the named 23 ends up winning the Derby, field bettors win. A famous case: Country House, who won the 2019 Kentucky Derby at long odds, was effectively a “field” horse in many early bets (few saw him coming). Sportsbooks offer the field here because there are hundreds of possible Derby contenders early on, and grouping the unknown ones is the only feasible way to let people bet on “someone else.” In everyday racing, if a race has more entrants than the betting display can list, sometimes the program groups the extras as “the field” as well, though this is more common in futures and pari-mutuel pools than in day-of-race betting.
- Player Awards (e.g. Heisman Trophy): In award markets like the college football Heisman Trophy, you’ll see top players listed with their odds (e.g. a few QBs at 5/1, 10/1, etc.), and often an option for “Field (Any other player)” at the bottom. That field bet means if any player not specifically named wins the Heisman, the field ticket wins. Sportsbooks compile a long list of contenders but still allow bettors to take “others” just in case. Typically, the field in a Heisman race might be something like +3000 (30/1) – covering all the lesser-hyped players. It’s rare, but occasionally a dark-horse contender emerges out of nowhere and takes the trophy. In that case, a field bettor would rejoice. (Imagine having a ticket on “the field” the year a surprise candidate comes from off the radar to win the Heisman – it’s like betting on chaos and getting paid for it!). The reason books include a field here is similar: there are too many potential players to list everyone, but they don’t want to exclude the possibility entirely. By offering “the field” at a fixed payout, they give you a chance to bet on anyone else, while still limiting their exposure to one line item.
In all these futures examples, betting the field gives you a broad net. You’re essentially backing “anyone except the favorites”. This can be fun if you believe a long shot will prevail or if you think the favorites are overrated. However, remember that the field is usually composed of long shots for a reason – each individual included is unlikely to win, but you’re betting that one of them will beat the favorites collectively . Next, let’s see how the field concept shows up in wackier prop bets.
“The Field” in Exotic and Prop Bets (Props, MVPs, and More)
Beyond long-term futures, “the field” also pops up in prop bets – especially those with many possible outcomes. Props (proposition bets) often let you bet on fun or unusual outcomes, and when there’s a large roster of possibilities, books will list a handful of likely options plus a field category for “everything else.” Here are a few prop bet scenarios where you’ll encounter the field:
- Super Bowl MVP: Before the Super Bowl, sportsbooks offer odds on who will be named MVP of the game. They’ll list key players from the two teams – quarterbacks, star running backs, receivers, maybe a defensive star – and then often have “Field (Any other player)” as an option. That field bet covers all the unsung players: the offensive linemen, the nickel cornerback, the backup tight end, etc. Most years, a big name wins MVP (QBs have won the majority of Super Bowl MVPs). But once in a while, an unexpected player steals the show. For example, in Super Bowl XLVIII (2014), Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith came out of nowhere to win MVP with a pick-six and fumble recovery. He was such an unlikely hero that he wasn’t even listed in the MVP odds beforehand – he was lumped into “the field.” Sure enough, field bettors won in that case. (At many sportsbooks, the field for SB MVP paid around 20-to-1 for Smith’s performance.) Sportsbooks offer a field option on MVP props because there are 100+ players in a football game and it’s impractical to assign odds to every single one. By covering “all others,” they ensure even the long-shot MVP candidates are accounted for.
- First Touchdown Scorer: A popular NFL prop is betting on who will score the first touchdown in a game (or the Super Bowl). Typically, books list the primary offensive weapons – the star running back, the top receivers, the quarterbacks (if they score rushing), etc. But what about the random fullback, or a defensive touchdown, or a third-string tight end? That’s where “the field” comes in. A field bet on the first TD means any other player not listed. If a no-name scores first, field bettors hit the jackpot. There have been memorable instances: in Super Bowl 50, the first touchdown was scored by Broncos defensive lineman Malik Jackson on a fumble recovery in the end zone. Jackson wasn’t one of the pre-game listed options to score first – he was part of the field, and that stunning TD meant a windfall for field backers. Because these events can be so unpredictable (sometimes the least likely guy scores first), sportsbooks allow a field wager to cover the “just in case” scenarios. It saves them from individually pricing every backup player, and it gives you a chance to bet on the unexpected. Usually, the field for the first TD might have fairly long odds (since it’s less likely than a star scoring), but when it hits, it makes for a great story.
- Novelty Props (Gatorade Color, etc.): Even in quirky Super Bowl props like “What color Gatorade will be dumped on the winning coach?”, you might see a field-type option. Books often list the most common colors (orange, blue, yellow, clear, etc.). If they don’t list every single color in existence (maybe they left out purple or something), they might have an “Any Other Color” option – that’s effectively the field. It covers any outcome not explicitly named, like if somehow the team used a rare Gatorade color. Similarly, props about events like the NFL Draft (betting on which player gets picked in a slot – sometimes you can bet “the field” vs. a small set of named players) or award shows (if betting on winners of an award, “field” could mean any nominee not listed). These exotic bets use the field to account for all less likely or unforeseen outcomes. For example, if a book only lists five possible Gatorade colors but you think it might be a weird one like purple, you’d take the field (assuming “any other” includes purple). The sportsbook, by offering a field, covers its bases (literally and figuratively) so that every possible result is covered by some wager.
In prop betting, “the field” essentially means “I’ll take any result except the ones specifically offered.” It’s a fun way to bet on long-shot outcomes without pinpointing exactly which one will hit. Instead of picking one specific dark horse, you get them all in one bundle.
How Betting the Field Works (and Why Sportsbooks Offer It)
Now that we’ve seen examples, let’s break down how a field bet works and why bookmakers use it.
When you bet the field, you’re accepting a trade-off. You gain the breadth of covering many outcomes, but in exchange, the payout odds are usually lower than if you had bet one of those outcomes individually (if it were listed).
The sportsbook sets a price on the field that reflects the combined chance of all those “other” contenders winning. Importantly, that price is typically a bit conservative – remember, the house always builds in some edge.
How it works: Suppose there are 50 possible competitors in an event. The book lists odds for 10 top contenders and then gives “Field (all others)” at, say, +800 (8-to-1).
That means all 40 of the remaining competitors collectively have an 8/1 chance according to the book’s odds.
If any of those 40 win, the field bet pays. If one of the 10 listed names wins, the field bet loses. The moment you place a field wager, you lock in those odds and sit back hoping none of the favorites take the prize. The field bet typically includes only the unlisted entries, not the favorites.
By definition, if someone is considered a strong contender, the sportsbook will list them separately, not lump them into the field. So the field composition is usually “the long shots.”
In a golf tournament, you won’t get Phil Mickelson or Rory McIlroy in the field – those guys have their own odds. The field will be the no-names and newcomers. In a prop like Super Bowl MVP, the field won’t include the starting QBs or star wideouts – it’s everyone else on the roster.
Why do sportsbooks offer a field bet? A few key reasons:
- Practicality: In many events, listing odds for every single possible outcome would be unwieldy or impossible. There might be hundreds of potential entrants. By offering “the field,” sportsbooks can cover all outcomes with a handful of lines. It streamlines the betting menu.
- Risk management: Grouping all long shots under one umbrella lets the book manage the risk of unlikely outcomes more efficiently. If each long shot were listed individually at huge odds (100/1, 200/1, etc.), a few small bets on those could expose the book to big payouts. Instead, they might offer the field at, for example, 20/1 – less payout than many of those individuals would warrant, which protects the book’s liability. Essentially, the field bet often comes at odds slightly shorter than the true combined probability of those outcomes, ensuring the house edge. It’s a way of saying “We’ll give you all the long shots, but not at too sweet a price.”
- Catering to bettors: Some bettors just love cheering for the underdog or “the rest of the pack.” A field bet appeals to those who want to fade the favorites and root for chaos. It’s also beginner-friendly – if you don’t know the players/horses well, you might just take the field and hope one of “the other guys” wins. Sportsbooks offer it to capture that action (why leave money on the table from people who want to bet on an underdog but aren’t sure which one?).
- Marketing and novelty: In cases like Tiger Woods vs The Field or a famous fighter vs the field, it becomes a talking point. It draws interest because it frames the bet as the superstar versus everyone else. That proposition can be intriguing and attract casual bettors. For the book, it’s another way to present odds on the favorite (because betting the field is essentially betting against the favorite(s) in aggregate).
In summary, a field bet simplifies the betting market by consolidating the long-tail outcomes. It guarantees that every possible winner or outcome is covered by some bet. If something crazy happens – say a backup QB wins Super Bowl MVP – the sportsbook won’t have to pay some astronomical 500/1 ticket that they forgot to account for; instead, they just pay out the field at a more measured rate.
When Is Betting the Field a Smart Move vs. a Sucker Bet?
Betting the field can be either a savvy play or a square (bad) play, depending on the context. It’s important to recognize when the field offers value and when it’s likely a rip-off. Here are some insights to help you decide if betting the field is right for you:
When “the Field” Might Be a Sharp Bet (Good Value):
- Wide Open Competitions: If the event truly has no clear favorite or is very unpredictable, the field can be a smart bet. For example, in a regular PGA Tour golf tournament without dominant players, the list of favorites might not cover everyone with a shot. The PGA Tour often sees first-time winners and surprise champions. In such cases, taking the field (all those lesser-known golfers) at decent odds could be wise, since collectively they stand a strong chance. You’re banking on the randomness of sports. Similarly, early in a season for an award like the Heisman, nobody knows which dark horse might emerge – the field could encompass some genuinely talented players who just haven’t made a name yet. If you, as a sharp bettor, know a few underrated contenders that the books didn’t list, a field bet effectively gives you all of them in one go. Bottom line: When uncertainty is high and talent is widespread, the field can offer undervalued odds and be a shrewd wager.
- Overhyped Favorites: Sometimes sportsbooks (or the betting public) might heavily hype a few favorites, skewing the odds. If those favorites are overbet or overrated, the field’s implied probability might be higher than the odds reflect. In other words, the “all others” might collectively have a better chance to win than the betting line suggests. A sharp bettor will recognize, “Hey, beyond these 3 big names, there’s a lot of quality left in the pool.” If you sense the favorites have vulnerabilities or the outcome isn’t as chalky as people think, betting the field is a contrarian play that could pay off. This is especially true in scenarios where public money piles on a popular name (say, a famous player for MVP or a storied team for a championship) – the field price might lengthen and become more attractive. Going against the grain with the field can be profitable if your evaluation says “It’s not a one-horse race.” As an example, recall times when Tiger Woods was at his peak; he was often such a huge favorite that “Tiger vs. the Field” bets had Tiger at very low odds. If you believed Tiger could falter or simply that one of dozens of others could win, taking the field was the value side. In retrospect, even prime Tiger won “only” about 25% of the tournaments he entered, meaning the field won 75% of the time – not bad if the odds were right!
When “the Field” Might Be a Square (Poor) Bet:
- Dominant Favorites / Few Real Contenders: If one or a few participants have an overwhelming chance to win, a field bet becomes a long-shot lottery. For instance, imagine a tennis tournament where Novak Djokovic is in his prime at Wimbledon – a bet on “the field” (anyone except Djokovic) might feel like you have many players on your side, but if realistically only a couple of other guys have even a slim shot, you’re taking a bad price. In cases where the favorites account for, say, 90%+ of the win probability, the field is the scraps. Sportsbooks sometimes prey on uninformed bettors by offering a field bet that looks tempting (“Hey, you get ALL these other teams!”) but in reality those teams have almost no chance. A great example was noted by a betting analyst: in the NCAA Basketball Championship futures, one year the “field” (all teams not individually listed) was posted at 45/1 odds. At first glance, 45-to-1 to have dozens of teams sounds exciting. But a closer look showed that all serious contenders were already listed with their own odds – the field was a bunch of tiny-conference longshots who were virtually incapable of winning the title . No 16-seed from the SWAC is realistically cutting down the nets in April. So that 45/1 wasn’t value at all; it was a sucker bet, and indeed the field didn’t come close to winning. Whenever the field is comprised of outcomes that are possible in theory but extremely improbable in reality, you should be skeptical. The book may be dangling a big payout, but if the true odds of those nobodies winning is far less, then the field bet is a bad deal.
• Heavy Juice and House Edge: Field bets sometimes carry a hidden house edge. Because it’s an amalgamation of outcomes, it’s harder for the average bettor to gauge whether the odds are fair. Sportsbooks know this. They might price the field a bit below what the true odds should be, capturing extra margin. For example, if there are 30 horses in a race and realistically the combined chance of the 20 longest shots (the field) winning is, say, 10%, the fair odds would be 10/1. But the book might offer the field at 7/1 or 8/1 to be safe. Casual bettors might still take it thinking “I get twenty horses, yay!” without realizing the odds are short. This is a “square” move – betting the field blindly because it sounds like you have more chances, when in fact the payout is not worth the risk. Always consider the implied probability: is the field’s payout commensurate with the likelihood of any of those underdogs coming through? If not, skip it. Don’t fall for the illusion of safety in numbers. Remember, you need one specific underdog to win – having 20 of them in your pocket doesn’t help if none of them can realistically beat the favorites.
• When You Can Bet Individual Long Shots Separately: Another time the field is a sucker play is when you have insight into a few particular underdogs you like. In some cases, instead of betting the field, you could bet those specific names individually at higher odds (if they’re available as “others on request” or at another book). Some sportsbooks, for instance, will list “others on request” in futures – meaning you can ask for odds on a specific unlisted participant. If you have a hunch on a certain driver or golfer, you might get a much bigger payoff betting on them alone than lumping them in the field. The field bet gives breadth but zero precision. A sharp bettor with a good read on a dark horse might avoid the field and go straight for that one long shot at, say, 50/1, rather than take the field at 10/1. The only reason to take the field, in that case, would be if you truly think any of those no-names could do it and you don’t care which – but often, if you do your homework, you can pinpoint better value outside of the generic field line.
Storytime – A Cautionary Tale: To illustrate square vs. sharp play, consider two buddies during March Madness. One says, “I’m betting the field at 45/1 to win the NCAA title – there are so many crazy upsets, one of those Cinderella teams might go all the way!” His friend, however, notes that practically all the top 40 teams were listed, so the field essentially consisted of teams ranked 41 and worse. The friend passes on the bet. Lo and behold, a few mid-majors did make sweet Cinderella runs, but come the Final Four, the powerhouse programs were still standing. The championship was won by a listed favorite, and the field bet lost. The first buddy donated his money on a long shot that sounded cool. The second buddy looks like the sharp one here. The lesson: don’t bet the field just for the sake of having “more dogs in the hunt”. Make sure those dogs have some bite!
Final Thoughts
“The field” is one of those sports betting terms that initially confuse people, but it’s a simple and clever concept. It boils down to betting on the rest of the pack against the favorites.
It can be a lot of fun – who doesn’t enjoy rooting for the underdog(s) and bragging that you had “the field” when a shocker happens? Field bets often make for great stories, like the bettor who had the field when a no-name won a tournament or when a lineman snagged a Super Bowl MVP.
However, as with any wager, you need to assess it critically. Sometimes the field is your best friend (when chaos reigns), and sometimes it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing (when the favorites are almost a lock).
Always compare the field odds to reality. Ask yourself: Am I getting enough bang for my buck to take on all these long shots? If yes, go for it and enjoy the sweat of cheering for every underdog out there. If not, you’re better off either skipping that bet or finding a specific sleeper to back outright.
In the end, betting on “the field” means betting on uncertainty. Sports are unpredictable, and the field bet lets you capitalize on that – within reason. It’s the book saying “we’ll give you everyone else,” and you deciding if that’s worthwhile.
Now that you know what “the field” means in sports betting, you can approach it with your eyes wide open. Whether it’s the Masters, the Kentucky Derby, the Daytona 500, a Super Bowl prop, or any event with a wide field of competitors, you’ll understand exactly what you’re getting into when you see Field (All Others) on the odds board.
So, the next time someone asks “What the heck is betting the field?” – you can confidently explain that it’s the ultimate underdog wager, backing all the long shots at once. Sometimes it’s genius, sometimes not so much, but it’s always an interesting bet to consider.
And who knows? Your field ticket might just be the one holding the golden needle in a haystack of underdogs.
Good luck, and happy field betting (when the time is right)!
