Football Betting Market Descriptions

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For any given match, there can be numerous different betting propositions, or markets, for which bets can be laid. Odds are commonly offered on things as obscure as 'How many times will the woodwork be hit?' to something as simple as 'Which team will win the match?'. Here we define most of the major betting markets that are consistently available from match to match.

1X2 or Match Result: Bettors predict the result of the match. Bets are placed on either a home team win (1), a draw (X), or an away team win (2). Odds for each home-win/draw/away-win choice are either higher or lower depending on the likelihood of the event occurring, as perceived by the bookmaker.

Asian Handicap: Asian Handicap is a form of spread betting, specific to football that is designed to eliminate the possibility of a tie in the event of a match draw. One team, considered to be the favorite, is handicapped prior to the start of the match giving their opponent a specific goal advantage. Bookmakers assign handicaps at levels in which they feel will make the chance for success as close to 50-50 as possible which will in turn generate balanced action. Example: Arsenal (-1.5) -vs- Chelsea. This means Arsenal is favored by a goal and a half, so Chelsea begins the match with a 1.5 goal lead. In order for a bet on Arsenal (-1.5) to win, they must defeat Chelsea by a margin of 2 goals or more (also see Asian Handicap Betting Basics).

Correct Score: Bettors predict what they believe will be the exact final score.

Double Chance: In accordance with the 1X2 format, bettors may choose 2 of the 3 possible home-win/draw/away-win outcomes. If either of the two match result options chosen occurs, the bettor wins. Odds payouts are considerably low as a result of the high likelihood of success.

Draw No Bet: Bettors choose which team they believe will win the match. There is no option to bet that the match will end in a draw. In the event of a draw, stakes are refunded.

Even/Odd: Bets are placed on whether the total amount of goals scored in a match will be odd or even.

First Goal Method: Bets are placed on how the first goal of the match will be scored. Choose between a header, own goal, penalty, shot from inside the penalty box, or shot from outside the penalty box.

First Goal Time: Bettors predict at what point in the match the first goal will be scored or if no goals will be scored at all. Certain bookmakers offer ‘bands’ or ‘ranges’ to choose from while others use more of an ‘Over/Under’ format. ‘Bands’ Example: Choose whether the first goal will be scored within 00:00-09:59 (or 1-10 minutes), 10:00-19:59 (or 11-20 minutes), etc. ‘Over/Under’ Example: Choose whether the first goal will be scored within 1-30 minutes or 31+ minutes (anytime after the 31st minute until the end of regulation time).

Half Time Result: Bets are placed on the results of the first half. Bettors predict whether the home team is ahead, the away team is ahead, or if the score is even at halftime.

Half Time/Full Time: Also commonly referred to as ‘Double Result’, one bet is placed on the results of the first half as well as the results of the entire match. Both predictions must be correct in order to win the bet. Example: A bet on ‘Draw/Arsenal’ means the bettor predicts the score will be tied after the first half, however Arsenal will win the match in the second half.

Over/Under: Bets are placed on whether or not the amount of total goals scored in a match will be above or below a projected total. Example: O/U for a match is 2.5 goals. The final score is 2-1 meaning the total goals scored is 3. Bets placed on the ‘over’ win.

Half Time Over/Under: Bets are placed on whether or not the amount of goals scored in the first half will be above or below a projected total. Example: The Half Time O/U for the first half of a match is 0.75 goals. The score at the break is 0-0. Bets placed on the ‘under’ win.

Total Goals: Bettors predict the exact amount of total goals scored in a match.

Total Goals Bands: Bettors predict the total amount of goals that will be scored within a given range. Example: Bets are placed on whether there will be 0-1 goals scored, 2-3 goals scored, etc.

Anytime Goalscorer: Bets are placed on whether a player will score a goal at any point in the match. Rules regarding this market vary amongst all bookmakers so be sure to read and understand the terms before placing your bet. Typically, bookmakers claim that bets placed on a player that does not play during regulation time are declared void and ‘own goals’ scored by a player do not count towards the wager.