If you enjoy cars and prize competitions, BOTB is a name you may have come across online. The UK-based platform has been running competitions since 1999 and offers prizes ranging from cars and cash to houses, holidays, watches, technology and other lifestyle prizes.
The best-known part of the platform is its weekly Dream Car Competition. Instead of simply drawing a random ticket for the main car prize, BOTB uses a football-themed “Spot the Ball” game. Players study an image with the ball removed and choose where they believe the centre of the ball should be. The entry closest to the position selected by the judging panel wins.
That makes understanding the rules particularly important before entering. Here’s how the platform works, what the different competitions involve, and what potential players should check before spending money.
What Is BOTB?
BOTB is a UK competition website operated by Winvia Entertainment PLC, formerly known as Best of the Best Limited. The company says it was established in 1999 and has awarded prizes to a large number of winners over the years.
Its competitions cover several categories. These include the Dream Car Competition, House Competition, Luxury Car Competition, Lifestyle Competition, Instant Wins, Easy Wins and Free Competitions. The exact prizes and entry costs vary between competitions.
The Dream Car Competition is different from some of the other options because it combines a paid entry with a skill-based Spot the Ball game.
For someone researching BOTB for the first time, that distinction matters. Not every competition on the website uses exactly the same method for selecting a winner.
How Does the BOTB Dream Car Competition Work?
The Dream Car Competition follows a straightforward three-stage process.
First, you select the car you want to play for and purchase your available tickets. BOTB currently lists hundreds of vehicle choices, with ticket prices depending on the competition and prize.
Next comes Spot the Ball.
You are shown a football photograph from which the ball has been digitally removed. Your task is to decide where the centre of the ball would have been. Your chosen location is recorded as an X and Y coordinate.
After the competition closes, a panel of professional football judges examines the same image. According to BOTB, the panel includes referees and former professional players. They determine where they believe the centre of the ball should be. An independent lawyer is present during the judging process.
The entry closest to the judges’ selected position becomes the winner.
This is why the Dream Car Competition isn’t simply a conventional random draw. The result depends on the position chosen by the entrant and the position determined by the judging panel.
When Does the Dream Car Competition End?
BOTB states that its Dream Car Competition operates on a weekly schedule. The competition runs from midnight Sunday to midnight the following Sunday, with the winner announced on Tuesday.
The exact live deadline should always be checked on the individual competition page because competition information can change.
If you have already entered, BOTB says your account’s My Competitions area can be used to check entries and results.
What Can You Win?
The Dream Car Competition allows participants to choose from a wide range of vehicles. BOTB currently describes the selection as including more than 150 new car prizes, with examples ranging from brands such as Range Rover and Audi to Lamborghini and Porsche.
The prize isn’t necessarily limited to receiving the physical vehicle.
BOTB states that winners can choose a specified cash alternative instead. Some Dream Car prizes can also include an additional cash amount, depending on the particular prize selected.
This can make a significant difference to someone who likes the idea of entering for a car but would rather receive money if they eventually win.
However, the cash alternative varies by prize. It is therefore sensible to check the individual prize page rather than assuming every car has the same cash value.
How Much Does BOTB Cost?
Entry prices vary depending on the competition.
BOTB’s general FAQ currently says tickets can range from around 10p to £6, depending on the competition and prize, while the Dream Car page currently advertises Dream Car tickets starting at 90p.
Prices and promotions can change, so the current competition page should be treated as the definitive source before entering.
There are also different ticket limits for different competitions. BOTB currently states that the Dream Car Competition has a maximum of 75 tickets per player, while other competition types can have different limits.
A low ticket price should not be confused with a guaranteed financial benefit. A competition entry is an expense, and winning is never something a player should assume will happen.
Are There Free Ways to Enter?
BOTB says some competitions that permit Postal Entry can be entered for free through the postal route, provided the entrant follows the relevant instructions.
According to BOTB, an eligible Postal Entry has the same chance of winning as a paid ticket. Postal entries also need to arrive in time for processing before the relevant draw.
There are also competitions specifically described as Free Competitions. BOTB says these do not allow tickets to be purchased; instead, free tickets can be earned through qualifying actions.
Because entry methods differ between competitions, always read the rules for the specific competition you want to enter.
What Are BOTB Instant Wins?
The Instant Win section works differently from the main Dream Car Competition.
BOTB explains that qualifying entries can automatically participate in Instant Win prizes. Winning entries may be selected using random number generation, and in some cases winning numbers are assigned before the competition goes live.
This means you should not assume that strategies used for Spot the Ball apply to Instant Win competitions.
The two formats have different mechanisms for determining winners.
What Is the BOTB Pass?
BOTB also offers a subscription product called BOTB Pass.
The Pass provides a number of competition entries each month, depending on the subscription plan. BOTB says these can cover competitions such as Dream Car, House, Luxury Car and Lifestyle competitions.
There are some details worth understanding before subscribing.
For example, Dream Car tickets are added on Mondays and must be used during the relevant competition. BOTB says unused Dream Car tickets expire when that competition ends. Instant Win tickets also have their own usage period.
BOTB states that customers can cancel the subscription through their account, with cancellation taking effect from the next billing date. Tickets already entered into active competitions remain valid.
Anyone considering a subscription should therefore look beyond the advertised number of entries and check exactly when those entries expire.
Does BOTB Offer Cash Instead of Cars?
Yes. Cash alternatives are available for eligible prizes.
For the Dream Car Competition, BOTB lists a specified cash alternative alongside the relevant prize. Winners can choose that alternative instead of taking the vehicle.
There are also separate cash-focused competitions and Lifestyle prizes.
The important point is that the amount is tied to the individual competition or prize. It is not one fixed cash figure across the entire BOTB website.
What Happens If Two Players Are Equally Close?
The Dream Car rules also cover situations where more than one entrant is equally close to the judges’ selected position.
BOTB says that the next closest entry is considered to determine the outright winner. If the qualifying players have only one ticket and remain tied under the applicable rules, another Spot the Ball competition may be used to determine the winner. BOTB also states that players who qualify for the tie but do not win outright receive £1,000 in cash.
This is one reason it is worth reading the terms rather than relying only on promotional descriptions.
Tips for Playing Spot the Ball
There is no guaranteed method for selecting the winning coordinate, but a careful approach can make the process more structured.
Study the whole image
Don’t focus on just one player. Look at body positions, leg movement, head direction and the apparent trajectory of the play.
Consider where the action is going
Players’ posture and movement can provide clues about where the ball might be. These clues are useful, but they do not reveal an objectively correct answer.
Avoid assuming the obvious point is correct
The most visually obvious location isn’t necessarily where the judges will place the centre of the ball. BOTB itself describes the judging process as subjective.
Set a spending limit
This is perhaps the most practical tip. Decide beforehand how much you are comfortable spending and stick to that amount. Buying additional tickets increases the number of entries you have, but it also increases what you spend.
Common Mistakes New Players Make
One common mistake is assuming every BOTB competition works the same way.
It doesn’t. Dream Car uses Spot the Ball, while other competitions may use random selection or different entry mechanics.
Another mistake is overlooking expiry dates. BOTB Pass tickets, for example, can have specific periods in which they must be used.
It’s also easy to concentrate on the headline prize while ignoring the terms. Before entering, check the ticket price, maximum entries, closing date, winner-selection method, cash alternative and any eligibility requirements.
Finally, remember that promotional language describes potential prizes, not guaranteed personal outcomes. Enter only what you can comfortably afford to lose.
Is BOTB Available Outside the UK?
BOTB says its competitions are intended for people living in the UK. Its FAQ specifically advises entrants to make sure that participating does not breach the laws of their country of residence or the location from which they access the service.
That means someone outside the UK should not assume that the website’s competitions are available to them simply because the website can be accessed online.
If you live outside the UK, check the current BOTB terms and the laws applicable where you live before attempting to enter.
BOTB: What Should You Check Before Entering?
A few minutes of research can prevent confusion later.
Before entering a competition, check:
- The exact ticket price
- The maximum number of tickets allowed
- The competition closing time
- How the winner is selected
- Whether a cash alternative is available
- Whether a postal or free-entry route exists
- Any eligibility restrictions
- How and when prizes are delivered
- The relevant terms and conditions
For subscription products such as BOTB Pass, also check how many tickets you receive and when unused tickets expire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BOTB stand for?
BOTB was originally known as Best of the Best. The company now operates under Winvia Entertainment PLC, while the consumer-facing competition brand continues to be known as BOTB.
How does BOTB Spot the Ball work?
You select the location where you believe the centre of a missing football should be in a photograph. A judging panel later selects its position, and the entrant closest to that position wins the Dream Car Competition.
How often does the BOTB Dream Car Competition run?
The Dream Car Competition runs weekly. BOTB currently states that it closes at midnight Sunday, with the winner announced on Tuesday.
Can a BOTB winner take cash instead of a car?
Yes. BOTB provides a specified cash alternative for eligible Dream Car prizes. The amount depends on the particular prize.
Does BOTB have free competitions?
Yes. BOTB offers Free Competitions where tickets are earned rather than purchased. Some paid competitions may also provide a Postal Entry route where permitted.
Can people outside the UK enter BOTB?
BOTB states that its competitions are intended for UK residents and advises entrants to ensure participation complies with the laws applicable to them.
Is BOTB Pass a subscription?
Yes. BOTB Pass is a subscription plan providing a specified number of entries across selected competitions, depending on the plan. Ticket rules and expiry periods vary by competition.
Where can I check my BOTB entries?
After logging into your account, BOTB provides a My Competitions area where you can review competitions you’ve entered, their status and results.
Final Thoughts
BOTB combines several types of prize competitions under one platform, but the Dream Car Competition remains its most distinctive offering because it uses the Spot the Ball format.
The basic process is simple: select a prize, purchase eligible tickets, choose where you believe the missing football should be, and wait for the judging process to determine the closest entry. Other BOTB competitions use different winner-selection methods, so understanding the individual rules is essential.
If you decide to enter, treat it as a form of entertainment rather than a financial strategy. Check the current terms, understand the costs, confirm your eligibility and set a spending limit before participating.
