Everything you need to know about the most popular golf wagers. Pick a game, set the stakes, play.
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Nassau
The king of golf bets
essential
Three bets in one: front 9, back 9, and overall 18. Each is a separate wager. The most popular golf bet in the world — if you only know one bet, this is it.
How to Play
1.Agree on a wager amount (e.g., $5). This means $5 on the front, $5 on the back, $5 on the overall — $15 total at risk.
2.Each hole is match play: lowest net score wins the hole. Ties push.
3.Whoever is "up" (winning more holes) on the front 9 after hole 9 wins the front bet.
4.Same for the back 9 (holes 10-18) and overall (all 18).
5.With auto-press: if you fall behind by 2 (or your set number), a new side bet automatically starts from that hole forward at the same wager amount.
Settlement
Each leg (front, back, overall) pays independently. If you win the front but lose the back and overall, you win $5 but lose $10 — net -$5. Presses are separate bets settled individually.
Each hole has a "skin" worth the wager amount. Win the hole outright and you take the skin. If two or more players tie, the skin carries over to the next hole — making it worth double (or more).
How to Play
1.Set a per-skin amount (e.g., $2 per hole = $36 total across 18 holes).
2.On each hole, the player with the lowest net score wins the skin.
3.If two or more players tie for lowest, nobody wins — the skin carries over and adds to the next hole.
4.Carryovers can stack: if holes 1 and 2 tie, hole 3 is worth 3 skins.
5.Last hole carryovers: if hole 18 ties, the skins carry (some groups do a playoff or split).
Settlement
Count up each player's skins won. Multiply by the per-skin amount. Each player pays the difference to players with more skins.
Players: 2-8Default: $2Handicap strokes
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Match Play
Head-to-head, hole by hole
popular
Pure 1v1 competition. Win the hole, go "1 up." Lose it, go "1 down." The match ends when one player is up by more holes than remain (e.g., "3 and 2" means 3 up with 2 to play).
How to Play
1.Two players go head-to-head with a single wager on the match.
2.Each hole: lowest net score wins the hole. Ties are halved (no change).
3.Track status as "X up" or "X down" or "all square."
4.Match can end early if one player is up by more holes than remain.
5.If all square after 18, the match is halved (tie) — or play sudden death if agreed.
Settlement
Winner takes the full wager. If the match is halved, no money changes hands.
A rotating "wolf" tees off first each hole and watches the other players hit. The wolf then chooses a partner for that hole — or goes "lone wolf" against the group for double stakes.
How to Play
1.Rotate wolf order each hole (1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4...).
2.The wolf tees off first, then watches each player tee off in order.
3.After any player's tee shot, the wolf can pick them as a partner. Once you pass, you can't go back.
4.If the wolf picks nobody, they're the "lone wolf" — playing 1 vs. 3 for double the bet.
5.The team with the lower best-ball score wins the hole. Wolf team vs. non-wolf team.
6.Optional "blind wolf": call it before anyone hits for triple stakes.
Settlement
Track points per hole. Wolf team wins: +1 each (lone wolf: +3). Wolf team loses: -1 each (lone wolf: -3). Multiply net points by wager.
Players: 4-4Default: $2Handicap strokes
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Bingo Bango Bongo
Three ways to win every hole
classic
Three points available on every hole: Bingo (first on the green), Bango (closest to the pin once all are on), Bongo (first in the hole). Great equalizer — even high handicappers win points regularly.
How to Play
1.Three points per hole, each worth the wager amount.
2.BINGO: First player to get their ball on the green. (Play in proper order — farthest from hole hits first.)
3.BANGO: Once all players are on the green, the player closest to the pin gets a point.
4.BONGO: First player to hole out.
5.Important: proper golf etiquette (away plays first) must be followed for this bet to work.
Settlement
Total points after 18 holes. Each point is worth the wager amount. Settle the differences.
Players: 3-4Default: $1
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Dots (Trash / Junk)
Side action on everything
popular
A collection of bonus bets that run alongside your main game. Earn or lose "dots" (points) for specific achievements or disasters during the round.
How to Play
1.Each dot is worth the agreed amount (e.g., $1/dot).
2.Common dots: Birdie (+1), Eagle (+3), Sandy (par from bunker, +1), Greenie (closest to pin on par 3, +1).
3.Negative dots: Three-putt (-1), Water ball (-1), OB (-1), Snowman (8+, -2).
4.Bonus dots: Birdie after bogey (+1 "bounce back"), Natural birdie on a par 5 (+1).
5.You can customize which dots are active for your group.
Settlement
Net dots × dollar amount. Simple: if you're +5 dots and your buddy is -3, he pays you $8.
Players: 2-8Default: $1
mAI Caddy tracks your bets automatically during the round. Just pick your game and play — we handle the math.