Go through a football betting site, and you will notice several betting options on the same match. Home win, over 2.5, BTTS, handicap -1. It might be difficult for the new bettor to understand all this.
All that these markets do is pose different questions regarding the same match. On a sports line such as https://afropari.ng/en/line, you will find most of them listed under every major fixture. This guide explains the main ones in plain words, so you know exactly what you are choosing before you place a slip.
1X2: The Match Result
This is the most popular market. Select one of three possible results after 90 minutes of play plus any injury time:
- 1 means victory for the home side.
- X means a draw in the match.
- 2 means victory for the away side.
The extra time and penalty shootouts do not apply, unless specified by the market. This information is significant for the cup matches. If a cup game is level 1-1 after 90 minutes and goes to a shootout, then X 1X2 bet is settled as a win.
Double Chance: Two Outcomes in One
Double chance bets on two out of three possible outcomes:
- 1X: Home wins or draws.
- X2: Draws or away wins.
- 12: Any team wins, but there is no draw.
Since double chance includes more options, its probability is less than that of 1X2. It is good for games when you see clearly one team but still expect a draw.
Over/Under: Total Goals
This betting market is not concerned about which side wins. What counts is how many goals have been scored in all. The most commonly used line is 2.5:
- A win for over 2.5 means at least three goals scored.
- For under 2.5 it would be two goals or less.
The half goal takes away any possibilities of a tie. There are other lines like 1.5 or 3.5. It will be useful to know how many goals do the teams typically score and concede.
Both Teams to Score
BTTS (Both Teams To Score) comes in two variants: yes and no.
- The first wins when both sides score at least once.
- The second wins when at least one side does not score.
The score 1-1 or 3-2 determines BTTS yes. The score 2-0 or 0-0 determines BTTS no.
Handicap Betting
Handicaps provide the teams with an imaginary lead or deficit. Handicaps are helpful if one team is considered to be a favourite for the upcoming game.
A European handicap of -1 for the home team would take away one goal from their total. If the team wins by 2-0, then the adjusted result is 1-0, and hence, the bet is a winner. However, if they win by 1-0, then the adjusted score becomes 0-0, and hence, the handicap draw wins the bet.
Asian handicaps are similar, except that some handicaps would provide you with a refund on your stake. The -0.5 handicap for a team implies that the team has to win the match. The handicap of 0 is called the draw no bet, which means you would receive your money back in case of a draw.
Quick Comparison of the Main Markets
| Market | The question it asks | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1X2 | Who wins after 90 minutes? | Clear view on the result |
| Double chance | Which two outcomes are possible? | A favourite that might draw |
| Over/Under | How many goals in total? | Matches with clear scoring patterns |
| Both teams to score | Will each side score? | Open, high-scoring fixtures |
| Handicap | How big will the margin be? | Matches with a strong favourite |
Tips for Choosing a Market
The best market is one that can be described in one sentence. Some of the good practices to consider include:
- Starting with one or two markets and being thorough with them.
- Looking into the settling criteria, particularly when it comes to additional time and abandoned games.
- Considering the news and line-ups of the teams before making your choice.
- Not including multiple markets in one accumulator because the odds are high.
Understanding that odds can also be considered as probabilities. Divide 1 by the odds to get the probability – odds of 2.00 mean that there is 50% chance, while 1.50 means 67%.
Keep It Simple and Keep It Fun
At first glance, football bets appear difficult, but each one is nothing more than a question regarding the match. Comprehension of the question is the first part. The next part is determining whether or not you have a clear answer to it.
This is a matter for adults only, and betting must be kept fun. Decide on a budget before the weekend and, if the question seems to be too vague, it is perfectly okay to skip it.
