Football bet types explained: 1X2, double chance, over/under, BTTS and more

Open any betting app and you will find dozens of markets for a single match. This guide explains the common ones in plain language. It is education, not advice, and it does not recommend any bet. Check each operator's own rules, because settlement terms can differ.

Editor's note: Unless a market says otherwise, football bets are usually settled on the score after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties normally do not count.

1X2 (match result)

The basic bet. 1 is a home win, X is a draw and 2 is an away win. You pick one of the three. It is the market most people start with, and the one the other markets build on.

Double chance

You cover two of the three outcomes in one bet: 1X (home or draw), X2 (draw or away) or 12 (either team wins). It wins more often than a single 1X2 pick, which is exactly why the odds are lower.

Draw no bet

You back one team. If they win, you win. If the match is a draw, your stake is returned. If they lose, you lose. The draw insurance costs you some of the price compared with a straight win bet.

Over/under goals

You bet on the total number of goals, not who wins. Over 2.5 wins if there are three or more goals, and under 2.5 wins if there are two or fewer. The half-goal line means it can never land exactly on the number, so there is no refund outcome.

Both teams to score (BTTS or GG/NG)

Yes (often shown as GG) wins if both teams score at least once. No (NG) wins if at least one team fails to score. The final result does not matter: a 1-1 draw and a 3-2 away win both settle BTTS Yes.

Handicaps

A handicap gives one team a head start or a deficit to even out a mismatch. With a -1 handicap on the home side, they need to win by two or more for a straight win. Asian handicaps use half and quarter lines to remove or split the draw, and the settlement rules get detailed quickly. If you do not understand exactly how a line settles, do not bet on it.

Correct score

You predict the exact final score. The odds are long because it is hard to get right. Long odds reflect a low chance of winning, not a bargain.

Accumulators and cash out

An accumulator combines several selections into one bet, and every selection must win. We explain the maths in our accumulator betting guide.

Cash out lets you settle a bet before it finishes, for an amount the bookmaker offers. That amount is usually below what the bet is worth at that moment, because the bookmaker builds in a margin. It can limit a loss, but it is not free money.

Before you place any bet

• You must be 18 or over to bet.
• Only stake what you can afford to lose, and set a limit before you start.
• Read the market rules, especially for handicaps, cash out and void games.
• Use a licensed operator, and check the licence yourself.

For help with gambling, see our responsible gaming page.