The Most Popular Types of Football (Soccer) Bets
There are different types of football bets that depend on the bookmaker and the country you are in. Here are some of the most common types of football (soccer) bets:
1. Full Time Result (Standard 1X2)
This is one of the simplest forms of betting where you bet on which team will win the match or if it will end in a draw.
The three possible results are represented as 1 (Home Team Win), X (Draw), and 2 (Away Team Win).
The final score in the regular 90 minutes of the match is valid. This score does not include any goals or outcomes that might occur during extra time or penalty shootouts, if applicable, in certain tournament formats.
2. Double Chance (1X, X2, 12)
Double Chance is a type of sports betting market that allows you to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a soccer (football) match. Here's what each option within the Double Chance market means:
1X: This means you are betting on either the home team winning or the match ending in a draw. If either of these outcomes occurs, your bet wins.
X2: This means you are betting on either the match ending in a draw or the away team winning. If either of these outcomes occurs, your bet wins.
12: This means you are betting on either the home team winning or the away team winning. If either of these outcomes occurs, your bet wins.
Double Chance is a popular betting option because it provides a higher chance of winning compared to betting on a single outcome (e.g., Home Team Win or Away Team Win), but the odds are typically lower as a result of the reduced risk.
3. Draw No Bet (DNB)
In this bet, you bet on a team to win, and if the match ends in a draw, your stake is returned. The key feature of Draw No Bet is that it eliminates the possibility of losing your bet if the match ends in a draw. It effectively acts as a form of insurance for bettors who want to wager on one team but are concerned about the potential for a draw.
This market is particularly popular when there are two evenly matched teams, and bettors want to reduce their risk. However, it's important to note that because it offers this insurance, the odds for the Draw No Bet market are typically lower than the odds for a regular Home Team Win or Away Team Win bet.
4. Both Teams to Score (BTS)
You bet on whether both teams will score at least one goal in the match or if one or both teams will fail to score. The possible outcomes of this bet are:
Yes (BTS): If you bet "Yes", you win if both teams score at least one goal each during the match, regardless of the final result (win, draw, or loss).
No (BTS): If you bet "No", you win if at least one of the teams fails to score a goal, which means the match can end in a scoreless draw or with one team failing to score.
5. Total Goals (Over/Under)
In this type of bet, you predict whether the total number of goals scored in the match will be Over or Under a specified line.
The Total Goals (Over/Under) market allows for a variety of betting options, typically with increments of 0.5 goals to avoid a draw. Common goal lines you might see include 0.5 goals, 1.5 goals, 2.5 goals, 3.5 goals, and so on.
This type of betting market is popular because it doesn't rely on predicting the outcome of the match (win, lose, or draw), but rather focuses on the total number of goals scored, making it suitable for various sports and matches. It adds excitement to games and can be an interesting alternative to traditional match result bets.
6. Odd/Even Goals
Odd/Even Goals is a specific sports betting market in which you bet on whether the total number of goals scored in a soccer (football) match, will be an odd or even number. This type of betting market is purely based on the arithmetic sum of goals and is unrelated to which team wins or loses the match.
7. Half-Time/Full-Time (HT/FT)
You bet on both the halftime and full-time results of the match. In simpler terms, HT/FT - 1/1 means you are betting that the Home Team will lead at half-time and ultimately win the match at full-time. This bet is successful if the Home Team is ahead at the end of the first half and maintains their lead until the end of the match. If the Home Team doesn't lead at half-time or doesn't win the match, then the bet is not successful.
Betting on HT/FT outcomes can offer higher odds compared to standard match result bets because you are making two predictions instead of one. However, it can also be more challenging to get both predictions correct. It's a popular choice for bettors who want to add an extra layer of complexity and potentially increase their potential returns in soccer betting.
8. Correct Score (CS)
In this type of bet, you try to predict the exact final score of the match. Correct Score bets are challenging to get right because there are many potential scorelines in a soccer match, and predicting the exact outcome can be quite difficult. However, due to the higher level of difficulty, Correct Score bets often come with higher odds, which means the potential payouts can be substantial if you make a correct prediction.
Some common Correct Score examples include 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 3-1, and so on. This type of betting adds an extra layer of excitement to the match because you're not just betting on the winner or whether it will be a draw; you're trying to pinpoint the exact scoreline.
9. Handicap Betting
Handicap betting is used to level the playing field when there's a perceived difference in strength between two teams. One team is given a handicap (+) and must win by a certain margin, while the other team is handicapped (-) and must not lose by a larger margin.
The bookmakers sets a handicap line, which represents the goals advantage given to one team and the disadvantage imposed on the other. This line is usually expressed as a whole number or a fraction, such as +1, -1, +1.5, -1.5, etc. and represents the advantage or disadvantage given to one of the teams.
10. Asian Handicap (AH)
Similar to regular handicap betting, Asian handicaps aim to reduce the number of possible outcomes by providing fractional handicaps. This can eliminate the possibility of a draw in the bet.
For example: When you see a negative Asian Handicap (-0.5, -1, -1.5 etc.), it means the team is the favorite, and they are starting the match with a handicap. If you bet on this team, they must win by a margin greater than the specified handicap for your bet to be successful. If they win by exactly the handicap margin, your bet is refunded (a push). If they win by less than the handicap margin or lose, your bet is lost.
11. First Goalscorer
You predict which player will score the first goal in the match. This can be an exciting bet, especially if you have a favorite goal scorer.
This type of betting market adds excitement to the game, as you are not only predicting the outcome of the match but also focusing on individual player performance. It's a challenging bet to win due to the numerous variables involved, including the form of the players, the tactics of the teams, and the element of luck.
12. Corners and Number of cards in a match
You bet on the number of corners or booking (yellow and red cards) in the match.
Bookmakers set lines, and you bet on whether the actual number will be Over or Under those lines similar to Total Goals (Over/Under) bets.
13. Combo Bet
A Combo Bet, short for "combination bet," is a type of sports betting where you combine multiple individual bets into a single wager. This allows you to bet on the outcomes of several events or matches with a single stake. Combo bets are also known as accumulator bets, parlay bets, or multi bets, depending on the region and sportsbook terminology.
Here's how a Combo Bet works:
Selections: You choose multiple selections or outcomes you want to bet on. These can be individual games, matches, or events, and you predict their outcomes. For example, you might select the winners of three different soccer matches.
Combination: You combine all your selected bets into a single bet slip. Your bet slip will show all your chosen selections.
Stake: You specify the amount you want to wager on the Combo Bet. This stake is placed on the entire combination.
Winning Conditions: To win a Combo Bet, all of your selected predictions must be correct. If any of your selections are incorrect, the entire Combo Bet is considered lost.
Odds Multiplication: The odds for each selection are multiplied together to calculate the potential payout of the Combo Bet. Since you are combining multiple bets, the odds can become quite attractive, offering the potential for significant winnings.
Combo Bets can include selections from various sports or events, and they are popular because they offer the opportunity to win larger amounts with a relatively small stake. However, the more selections you add to your Combo Bet, the more difficult it becomes to win because all predictions must be accurate.
While Combo Bets can be enticing due to the potential for big payouts, they are also higher risk because a single incorrect prediction will result in the entire bet being lost. As a result, they are typically more suitable for experienced bettors who are willing to accept the increased risk in exchange for the potential rewards.
14. Live (In-Play) Betting
Live betting, also known as in-play betting, is a type of sports betting that allows you to place bets on a sporting event while it is happening in real-time. Unlike traditional sports betting where you place bets before the event starts, live betting allows you to wager on various outcomes and scenarios during the course of the match or game.
Here's how live betting works:
Real-Time Odds: Bookmakers continuously update the odds and betting options for ongoing matches. These odds change rapidly based on the current score, time remaining, and other factors affecting the game.
Available Markets: Live betting offers a wide range of betting markets similar to pre-match betting. You can bet on outcomes like the winner of the match, the next goal scorer, and much more.
Quick Decision-Making: Live betting requires quick decision-making because odds can shift rapidly based on the flow of the game. This real-time aspect adds excitement and engagement to the betting experience.
Cash Out: Some sportsbooks offer a Cash Out feature for live bets. This allows you to settle your bet before the event is finished. Depending on the current score and odds, you may receive a portion of your potential winnings or minimize your losses.
Live Streaming: Some sportsbooks offer live streaming of matches, allowing you to watch the event as you place your in-play bets. This feature enhances the overall live betting experience.
Live betting is available for various sports. It's particularly popular for fast-paced sports where the game situation can change quickly. Live betting can also be strategic, as it allows you to assess the performance of teams or players before making your bets, potentially giving you an edge over pre-match betting.
These are some of the common types of bets you can place in football (soccer) betting. Remember that betting options and terminology may vary slightly between different bookmakers, so it's essential to understand the specific rules and offerings of the bookmaker you choose. Always gamble responsibly.