Football betting markets explained

Football is the most widely bet sport in the world, and it has the largest range of markets. That variety is useful, but it also makes it easy to lose track of what you are actually betting on. This guide explains the main football markets, how they settle and where the bookmaker's margin tends to be highest. All amounts are examples. Whether a given operator offers football betting, and on which leagues, is something to check on its own site.

1X2: the match result

The classic market has three outcomes: home win (1), draw (X) and away win (2). Bets are normally settled on the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, not including extra time or penalties. Example: €10 on the home side at 2.10 returns €21 if they win in normal time. If the match is drawn and then decided on penalties, the bet loses.

Double chance and draw no bet

Double chance covers two of the three outcomes, such as home win or draw, at lower odds. Draw no bet removes the draw: if the match ends level, your stake is returned. Both reduce risk at the cost of a lower return, and the margin is still built into the price.

Handicaps

A handicap gives one team a virtual head start. In a European handicap, a goal handicap is applied and the three-way result is settled on the adjusted score. Asian handicaps remove the draw by using half or whole goal lines. With a whole line such as −1, the stake is returned if the favourite wins by exactly one goal. Quarter lines, such as −0.75, split the stake across two neighbouring lines, which means half a bet can win while the other half is refunded. Read the settlement rules carefully, because quarter lines confuse many bettors.

Over/under and both teams to score

Totals markets ask whether the match will have more or fewer goals than a line, most often 2.5. Example: €10 on over 2.5 at 1.85 needs three or more goals and returns €18.50. Both teams to score is settled on whether each team scores at least once, regardless of the result. These markets are popular because they do not require you to pick a winner, but they are priced with the same margin as any other bet.

Props and specials

Player goalscorer, corners, cards and exact score markets offer high odds because they are hard to predict. They usually carry a larger margin than the main markets. Treat them as entertainment rather than value, and keep stakes small.

Things that affect football bets

For the general maths behind odds and margins, read the betting basics. Combining several matches is covered under bet types, and other sports in our tennis and basketball guides. Set a budget before you bet and keep to it; free support is listed on the responsible gambling page.

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