Soccer betting lets bettors wager on different match outcomes. There are many options. Some bets depend on the final score, some on the total number of goals scored, and others on individual players, among others. This guide goes over the most common soccer betting markets. If you are a beginner and want to bet on soccer, or get started with betting in general, it’s important to understand the requirements of each market.
What Are Soccer Betting Markets?
A soccer betting market refers to a specific event outcome for which a bookmaker offers odds. For instance, you can bet on the game winner or the number of goals a player will score. The same match may have multiple markets because of the many possible outcomes; however, you don’t need to know them all at once, especially if you’re new to betting. Knowing the basic ones is sufficient.
Odds show both the likelihood of success and the potential amount you can win when you place a bet. However, odds don’t guarantee the outcome. You also need to consider the bet’s rules. In general, most match markets cover the 90 minutes of a match, including stoppage time, but exclude extra time or penalties.
Match Result
The match result bet is quite simple. It’s about predicting who will win between the home and away teams; you can also bet on a tie. For instance, if Team A plays Team B and the match is in Team A’s home arena, betting on Team A means you believe the home team will win. A tie bet wins when both teams have the same score.
Double Chance
Double chance betting lets you bet on one of two possible results out of three to increase your chances of winning. Usually, you can bet on home win or draw, draw or away win, or either side winning. So, when you bet on a home win or draw, you win if either outcome occurs. You lose if the away team wins. The chances of winning are higher than with 1X2 bets, and the odds are usually smaller.
Both Teams to Score
The “Both Teams to Score” bet is pretty self-explanatory; it means betting on whether or not both teams will score in the game. Your options are yes or no. In the yes scenario, both teams need to score. Games ending 1-1 or 2-1 are examples. For a no win, you need no scoring from either of the teams. It could be 0-0 or 1-0, for instance.
Over or Under
Over/under bets focus on the total number of goals scored. For an over 1.5 goals bet to win, at least 2 goals must be scored. An under 1.5 goals bet wins if the match produces no more than one goal.
Handicap Betting
Handicap betting adjusts a team’s starting position for betting purposes. In some cases, this makes a match between strong and weak teams more intriguing, since the handicapped team must achieve an adjusted result rather than simply win or lose. For instance, with a handicap of -1, one goal is deducted from the selected team’s result.
With a one-goal handicap, this team normally needs to win by at least two goals for the handicap bet to win. For example, if Team A (-1 handicap) wins 2-0, the adjusted score becomes 1-0, so the bet wins. If Team A wins only 1-0, the adjusted score becomes 0-0. In the European handicap market, the Team A (-1) bet loses, while the draw selection wins. In an Asian handicap -1 market, the bet is considered a push, and the stake is returned.
Some handicap markets give a team a positive handicap (+1), adding a goal to its score when calculating the final result of the bet. Various handicap market types (European, Asian) set different conditions for handling draws and split results.
Correct Score Bets
In the correct score market, you must predict the game’s final score precisely. Common possibilities include 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, and 0-2. To win, your prediction must match the final score. Predicting the winner isn’t enough. For instance, a 2-1 prediction won’t win if the game ends 2-0.
Goalscorer Markets
A goalscorer bet predicts which player will score a goal during a game. The first goalscorer bet is closely related and predicts the first goalscorer in the game. An anytime goalscorer bet wins if a player scores at least one goal. The last goalscorer bet focuses on the player who scores the last goal in the game.
Always understand the rules before placing a bet. For instance, if a player does not participate in the game or an own goal is scored, the bet’s result depends on the rules.
How to Bet Responsibly
Each betting market offers a different way to predict a match outcome. Knowing the market helps you understand the terminology and compare the available options. You need to understand how online betting odds work before placing bets. No market eliminates the game’s uncertainty; therefore, betting should not be considered a way to earn money. Set a budget limit and never risk more than you can afford to lose.
