Learn about types of football bets and what it means
Football is the King of sports, and if you have a burning passion for it and want to delve into understanding betting odds and types of football bets to add excitement while watching live matches, then you first need to grasp the various types of football bets. Football betting options can be quite complex, so to place successful bets, a deep understanding is necessary. In this article, premiumsoccertips.net will help everyone thoroughly understand the types of football bets. Check it out now!
Types of bets in football
1. 1X2 (Home win, Draw, Away win)
The most common type of bet in football, its purpose is to predict the final outcome of the match, whether the home team wins (1), draws (X), or the away team wins (2). About 3/4 of all football bets are 1X2 bets. Although it is the most popular type of bet in football, it is not considered the best. The reason for this is that while there are matches where the winner is quite clear, the odds for the favorite team in such events are very low. Experienced and respected bettors typically do not bet with odds around 3/10 (1.30) or lower.
It is advisable to bet with minimum odds of 1/2 (1.50). Furthermore, the probability of successfully predicting the outcome of this type of bet is 33.3%, while in other types of bets, this rate can even be over 50%. This type of bet is often used in many accumulative bets such as double or treble bets (combo bets), where you have to accurately predict the outcome of several events to win the overall bet.
Example: Real Madrid 3:1 Barcelona (1)
We win the bet because we correctly predicted Real Madrid’s victory. If we had bet on a draw or Barcelona’s victory, we would have lost.
2. 1X, X2, 1 or 2 (Double Chance)
Much safer to bet on compared to the classic 1X2. Here, we choose one of three options: home team win or draw, draw or away team win, or win for either side of the match. If any of the two results we have chosen occur, we win the bet. Thus, we have a 66.6% chance of winning the Double Chance bet.
Furthermore, statistics have shown that the most frequent result at halftime is a draw. Due to the high probability, the odds for this type of bet are usually very low. We recommend betting on a draw or the underdog team by using this option because the odds for them will be much higher. This option is less risky than placing a regular 1X2 bet for the weaker team because we can win the bet even in the case of a draw. Double Chance bets can be successfully used when betting on difficult-to-predict events because the odds for all outcomes are relatively high, and we still have a very good chance.
Example: Manchester United 2:2 Chelsea (1X)
Although our chosen team – Manchester United, couldn’t win, we win the Double Chance bet because this match ended in a draw.
3. DNB (Draw No Bet)
In general, this type of bet is very similar to the Double Chance bet except for the case of a draw, where we will have our entire stake refunded instead of winning (1X or 2X) or losing (1 or 2) the bet. DNB bets are quite popular because they reduce the possibility of losing the bet, and the odds offered for them are higher than for Double Chance bets.
Bettors recognize that a draw is a very common outcome in football, which is why they often choose DNB as it narrows down the possible outcomes of the match from three to two. It must be noted that this type of bet may not be available in all selections and at all bookmakers.
Example: Borussia Dortmund 3:1 HSV Hamburg (Draw No Bet Borussia)
We win the bet because we accurately predicted Borussia Dortmund’s victory. If there is a draw in this game, we will receive our entire profit or stake back. We lose the bet if Hamburg wins this match.
4. Over/Under
Also known as total betting, it’s a type of bet where the bettor must decide the total number of goals scored in a match. The bookmakers set a target line, and the bettor’s job is to predict whether there will be more or fewer goals scored than the proposed line. Here, it must be noted that in this bet, we predict the total number of goals in the match. This means that even if one of the teams doesn’t score any goals, we can still win the bet.
There are also many variations of this type of bet, for example: you can bet on the total number of goals scored in a specific half or the total number of goals scored by one of the teams. One of the more popular versions of Over/Under betting is the Asian Handicap goal line. It’s noteworthy that the most common goal line for Over/Under betting is set at 2.5 goals. With this type of bet, you should look at the past performances of both teams as well as the number of goals they have scored and conceded. You should also remember not to bet with odds lower than 7/10 (1.70).
Example: PSG 1:2 Nice (Over 2.5)
We win the bet because there are more than 2.5 goals scored in the match. Regardless of the score, we will win the bet if there are at least 3 goals scored. If there are only 2 goals scored or less, we will lose the bet.
5. BTTS or BTS (Both Teams to Score)
This is a type of bet where you predict whether both teams will score goals in the match or not. It should be noted that if only one team scores, regardless of the number of goals, the bet will be considered lost. There are matches where the likelihood of both sides scoring is very high. Some teams score many goals but also concede many. They are the perfect choice for BTS.
Furthermore, it’s advisable to bet on this option if a much stronger team plays against a weaker team in an away match. Even the weakest side can score, and you are almost certain that the favorite team will score, and they need to win the game. Like other bets, it’s best not to bet on Both Teams to Score with odds lower than 7/10 (1.70).
Example: Porto 0:1 Benfica (BTS)
We lose the bet because both teams did not score. If Porto also scored, then we would have won the bet.
6. Handicap Betting
This is a type of bet where the bookmaker gives a disadvantage to the favorite team or an advantage to the theoretically weaker team. In football, this is done by adding or subtracting goals from a specific team to increase the chances of winning for both sides. There are two types of handicap bets – European and Asian. The second type is more popular because it reduces the number of possible outcomes to two instead of three as in the case of European handicap.
Example: in AH -1 (Asian Handicap -1), we win the bet if the team we bet on wins the match with a margin of at least 2 goals. If that team wins with a margin of only one goal, we will be fully refunded the bet amount. We lose the bet if our team draws or loses the match. Handicap betting is becoming increasingly popular, especially with football bettors. Read the guide on Handicap Betting to learn more.
Example: Manchester United 3:0 Manchester City (Manchester United AH -2)
We win the bet because our team won by a margin of more than 3 goals. If they scored fewer goals, drew, or lost the match, we would lose the bet.
7. Corner Betting
This is a conditional bet on the number of corners in a match. It’s similar to Over/Under betting in that there’s a line provided by the bookmaker, and the bettor’s task is to decide whether there will be more or fewer corner kicks than the given line. This is one of the riskier bets but the odds for it are generally quite high.
The most important factor here is the odds set by the bookmaker. Sometimes, to get good odds, you may have to bet on lines like 14-15 corners. And although statistics show that every match usually has some corner kicks, it’s still very unpredictable. It should be noted that the odds for lines like 5 or 6 corners are very low.
Additionally, there’s an option to bet on the number of corners in a specific half. Furthermore, you can also bet on the number of corners for one of the teams. It’s advisable to bet on corners in matches of teams inclined towards attacking play. In such matches, you can expect both goals and a number of corner kicks.
Example: Arsenal 4:1 Everton – Total of 12 corners (Over 14 corners in a match)
We lose the bet because there were fewer corners than we predicted. If we had bet on Under 14 corners in the match, we would have won.
8. Number of Cards in a Match
This is another interesting conditional bet where you have to predict the number of yellow or red cards in a match. This type of bet is similar to Over/Under betting in that you have to predict whether there will be more or fewer cards compared to the odds provided by the bookmaker. This type of bet is recommended for more experienced bettors, those who have significant knowledge of football.
The most important thing here is to analyze the event carefully: the history of direct matches between the teams, their relationship – whether they are rivals or not, the relationship between players, coaches, or even fans, and the playing style of both teams. Usually, there are matches where you know there will be cards even before the first whistle blows. When analyzing a match, you can’t forget about the referee, who has a significant influence on the final result of the match. Read this article if you want to learn more about card betting.
Example: Rangers 2:1 Celtic – Yellow cards: 8 (Under 6 yellow cards in a match)
We lose the bet because our prediction of the number of yellow cards in a match was unsuccessful. If there were fewer than 6 yellow cards, we would have won.
9. Half Time/Full Time Betting
Half Time/Full Time betting, also known as double result betting, is a type of bet where you have to predict the outcome of the match at both half-time and full-time. In this type of bet, the bettor has to decide which side will be winning at the end of the first half and which side will be winning at the end of the match. You can bet that one of the teams will be leading at halftime and ultimately win, or you can decide to bet on different outcomes for both halves.
This type of betting is mainly recommended for more experienced bettors who are not afraid to take risks. It should be noted that sometimes even the favored team may struggle throughout the match, let alone in the first half. Moreover, statistics also prove that the most common result in the first half of a football match is a goalless draw. Therefore, the odds for such bets can be truly attractive. Even if you bet on the clear favorite, if you bet that they will win in the first half and maintain the score until the final whistle, you can earn quite a lot of money.
However, it’s often very difficult to predict and thus win such bets. Sometimes all the stronger team has to do is not to score in the first half and finish the match in the second half. In other cases, a team may be leading 2-0 or 3-0 in the first half and end up drawing or losing the match. A classic example of this outcome is the 2005 UEFA Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool, where the Reds won on penalties despite trailing 3-0 at halftime.
Example: AS Roma 2:0 (1:0) Inter Milan (AS Roma Half Time/Full Time)
We win the bet because we accurately predicted that AS Roma would lead at halftime and win the match overall. If any of the halftime results had been different, we would have lost the bet.
10. Correct Score Betting
True to its name, in this type of betting, you have to predict the exact result of the match. This type of bet is only recommended for the most experienced bettors with nerves of steel or those who almost entirely rely on luck. It’s one of the hardest bets to win due to the low probability and numerous variables involved.
Even if you bet just one unit (e.g., $1 or £1), you can potentially win a lot of money because the odds for such bets can go as high as 500/1 (501.00). In most cases, the odds for more probable results such as 1-0, 1-1, or 0-0, which are common outcomes in football, range from 5/1 (6.00) to 15/1 (16.00). So, they are still high enough to earn a significant amount with a small wager. That’s why many bettors attempt such bets. However, only a few succeed in the long term.
Example: Ajax 2:1 PSV (Correct Score 1:0)
We lose the bet because the selected outcome of the match differs from the result we predicted. In this type of bet, we need to predict the exact final result of the match to win.
11. Goal Scorer Betting
Goal scorer betting is a conditional bet where the bettor must choose a player to score in a match or a competition. There are bets available for a player to score in a specific match as well as overall bets for the player to score the most goals in the entire tournament. However, it must be noted that in both cases, the odds for the top attacking players of the top teams are quite low. When a player scores 30-40 goals every season, you can be sure that the odds of him scoring in a match or becoming the top scorer will be very low.
The key when betting on goal scorers is to place such bets very early, before the odds decrease. In match betting, you can also take a risk by betting on less likely options with players who usually don’t score many goals but it might be their birthday, they have just become fathers, or they are playing against their former team and want to prove themselves.
Such occasions are perfect for celebrating your performance in a goal-scoring match. It becomes even more likely when you realize that in such situations, the teammates of that player will do their utmost to help him score, give him a penalty kick to take, or create good scoring opportunities for him.
Example:
Real Madrid (Ronaldo 3′, 27′, Morata 73′) 3:0 Valencia (Cristiano Ronaldo scores in a match)
We win the bet because our chosen player, Cristiano Ronaldo, scored at least one goal in this match. There are various types of goal scorer bets, such as betting for a specific player to score two or three goals in a match. A player needs to score at least the number of goals we have chosen for the bet to be successful.
Conclude
So, through the insights shared in the article, we have gained an understanding of various types of football bets. The numbers may seem complex, but they are extremely straightforward and easy to comprehend. Players should grasp the necessary knowledge to apply in their analysis and make the best choices for themselves. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy betting in a relaxed manner and achieve the biggest wins possible.
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