A betting market is a specific question you can bet on within an event, such as who will win, how many goals will be scored, or whether both teams will score. The most popular markets, including 1X2, double chance, over/under and both teams to score, work in much the same way at every bookmaker, though names and rules can differ slightly. This guide has the main betting markets explained with worked examples, plus notes on which ones convert cleanly between bookmakers.
Betting markets explained: the essentials
Each market covers a full set of outcomes, and each outcome has its own odds. When you add a selection to your betslip, you are choosing one outcome in one market. Most football markets settle on the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, not including extra time or penalties, unless the market says otherwise. US sports markets, by contrast, usually include overtime.
1X2 (match result)
The classic three-way football market:
- 1 = home team wins
- X = draw
- 2 = away team wins
Example: Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs priced 1 at 2.30, X at 3.10, 2 at 3.20. A R100 bet on Pirates returns R230 if they win in 90 minutes. If the match is drawn, the bet loses.
Double chance
Double chance lets you cover two of the three 1X2 outcomes with one bet:
- 1X = home win or draw
- 12 = either team wins (no draw)
- X2 = away win or draw
Because you cover more outcomes, the odds are lower. If 1X is priced at 1.33, a ₦2,000 stake returns ₦2,660 if the home side wins or draws.
Draw no bet
Draw no bet (DNB) removes the draw. If your team wins, you are paid; if the match is drawn, your stake is refunded; if your team loses, the bet loses. It sits between 1X2 and double chance in terms of risk and price.
Example: home DNB at 1.70 with a KSh500 stake. A home win returns KSh850, a draw returns your KSh500, an away win loses.
Over/under (totals)
Over/under markets ask whether the total of something, usually goals or points, will be above or below a line.
- Over 2.5 goals wins if there are 3 or more goals.
- Under 2.5 goals wins if there are 2 or fewer.
Lines ending in .5 cannot be a push. Whole-number lines, such as over 2.0, refund your stake if the total lands exactly on the line. Asian totals such as 2.25 or 2.75 split your stake across two neighbouring lines, so half can win or be refunded.
Example: over 2.5 goals at 1.85 with GH₵50 returns GH₵92.50 if the match finishes 2-1.
In US sports, totals (also called the over/under) apply to points. An NFL total of 47.5 at −110 means you risk $110 to win $100 on either side.
Both teams to score (BTTS)
BTTS asks a simple yes or no question: will both teams score at least one goal?
- BTTS Yes wins on results like 1-1, 2-1 or 3-2.
- BTTS No wins on 0-0, 1-0, 2-0 and so on.
It is a hugely popular market for accumulators across Africa and Europe. Combinations such as "BTTS and over 2.5" are also widely offered.
Handicap and spread betting
Handicaps give one team a virtual head start or deficit to make an uneven contest more balanced.
Asian handicap
Asian handicaps remove the draw. Common lines:
- −0.5: your team must win. Equivalent to backing the win.
- −1.0: win by 2+ and you win; win by exactly 1 and your stake is refunded.
- +0.5: your team must avoid defeat. Equivalent to double chance.
- Quarter lines such as −0.25 or −0.75 split your stake across the two nearest lines.
Example: Team A −1.0 at 2.05 with a R200 stake. A 2-0 win returns R410, a 1-0 win refunds R200, and a draw or loss loses the bet.
European handicap
A three-way handicap that keeps the draw. With Team A −1, a 1-0 win becomes a 0-0 "handicap draw", so a bet on Team A loses and a bet on the handicap draw wins.
Point spread (US)
In American sports, the spread is the main handicap market. If the Kansas City Chiefs are −3.5 against an opponent at +3.5, a bet on the Chiefs wins only if they win by 4 or more. A bet on the underdog wins if they lose by 3 or fewer, or win outright. Read more in our US sports betting guide.
Moneyline
Moneyline is the American term for a straight bet on who wins, usually including overtime, so there is no draw. It is shown in American odds: −150 on a favourite means you stake $150 to win $100; +130 on an underdog means a $100 stake wins $130. If you need help reading these, see betting odds explained or our odds converter.
Football bookmakers also sometimes call the two-way "to win" market (with the draw refunded or excluded) a moneyline, so always check the rules.
Other popular markets
- Correct score: the exact final score. High odds, low probability.
- Half-time/full-time: the result at both half-time and full-time.
- Anytime goalscorer: a named player scores at any point.
- Corners and cards: totals or handicaps on corners or bookings.
- Player props: player-specific outcomes such as shots, assists, passing yards or points.
- Outrights or futures: long-term bets such as the league winner or top scorer.
Which markets convert cleanly between bookmakers?
If you use our booking code converter to move a slip from one bookmaker to another, some markets transfer far more reliably than others.
| Market | Conversion reliability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1X2 | High | Offered on virtually every football match |
| Double chance | High | Widely offered |
| Over/under 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 goals | High | Standard lines are almost universal |
| BTTS | High | Widely offered on major leagues |
| Draw no bet | Medium to high | Most bookmakers, but not all leagues |
| Asian handicaps | Medium | The exact same line must be available |
| Combined markets (e.g. 1X2 and BTTS) | Medium | Naming and availability vary |
| Corners, cards, player props | Low | Coverage and rules differ widely |
Sticking to mainstream markets keeps conversions accurate. Our guide on how to convert booking codes explains why some selections cannot transfer.
Comparing markets across bookmakers
The same market can be priced quite differently from one bookmaker to the next. Checking our odds comparison pages before placing a bet, particularly on popular markets such as 1X2 and over/under, is one of the simplest ways to improve your returns over time.
Whatever market you choose, no bet is ever certain. Set a budget, bet only what you can afford to lose, and visit our responsible gambling page if betting stops being fun. Betting is for adults only: 18+ in most countries, 21+ in most US states and 25 in Uganda.
FAQ
What does 1X2 mean in betting?
1X2 is the three-way match result market in football. 1 is a home win, X is a draw and 2 is an away win, all based on the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
What is the difference between double chance and draw no bet?
Double chance wins if either of two outcomes happens, such as a home win or a draw. Draw no bet only pays if your team wins and refunds your stake if the match is drawn. Double chance is safer but usually has lower odds.
What does over 2.5 goals mean?
It means the match must have three or more goals for the bet to win. Under 2.5 wins if there are two goals or fewer. Because the line ends in .5, the bet cannot be refunded as a push.
What is a moneyline bet?
A moneyline bet is a straight bet on which team or player wins, used mainly in American sports. It is shown in American odds, with a minus sign for favourites and a plus sign for underdogs, and usually includes overtime.
Does extra time count in football bets?
For most football markets, no. Standard markets such as 1X2, over/under and BTTS settle on 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Markets such as "to qualify" or "to lift the trophy" include extra time and penalties. Always check the bookmaker's rules.