Football betting markets explained
Updated · 2 min read
Football has more betting markets than any other sport. These are the ones worth understanding first, with what each pays and when it is void.
Match result (1X2)
Back the home win (1), the draw (X) or the away win (2) after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties don’t count.
Double chance and draw no bet
- Double chance covers two of the three results: 1X, X2 or 12. Lower odds, higher chance of winning.
- Draw no bet: back a team to win; if the match is drawn your stake is returned.
Goals markets
- Over/under (totals): over 2.5 goals wins with 3 or more goals; under 2.5 wins with 2 or fewer.
- Both teams to score (BTTS): yes wins if both sides score at least once.
- Total goals odd/even and correct score for more specific predictions.
- Next goal: which team scores the next goal, offered in play.
Asian handicap
A handicap gives one team a head start to even out a mismatch. With −1 on the favourite, they must win by two or more for the bet to win; a one-goal win returns your stake. Quarter lines (−0.75, −1.25) split your stake across the two nearest lines.
Which markets to learn first
Start with the match result and over/under 2.5 goals: they are easy to follow and have plenty of history to learn from. Add both teams to score and draw no bet once those make sense.
CADNEX prices all of these markets on real matches from over 40 competitions, including the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, the Champions League and the Indian Super League.
Common questions
What does 1X2 mean?
The three possible match results: 1 is a home win, X a draw and 2 an away win.
Does extra time count?
Not for standard football markets, which settle on the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
What is over 2.5 goals?
A bet that the match has three or more goals in total. Under 2.5 wins with two or fewer.