1X2, double chance, BTTS: football bet types explained

When you open a betting site, you find dozens of options for a single match: 1X2, double chance, BTTS, over 2.5 goals… It is easy to get lost. Here are the main football bet types, explained simply, with clear examples.

1X2 (match result)

This is the most common bet. You choose one of the three possible results at the end of normal time:

• 1: home team win (the team listed first)
• X: draw
• 2: away team win

Example: for Ghana vs The Gambia, betting on "1" means you are backing a Ghana win.

Double chance

Double chance lets you cover two of the three possible results. Your chances of winning go up, but the odds are lower.

• 1X: home win or draw
• X2: draw or away win
• 12: either team wins (no draw)

Example: for Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria, betting on "X2" means you win if Nigeria win or if the match ends in a draw.

Both teams to score (BTTS)

This bet asks a single question: will both teams score at least one goal each?

• Yes: both teams score (for example 1-1, 2-1, 3-2)
• No: at least one team fails to score (for example 0-0, 2-0, 3-0)

The winner of the match does not matter for this bet.

Over/under goals

You bet on the total number of goals in the match, compared to a line set by the bookmaker, often 2.5 goals.

• Over 2.5 goals: at least 3 goals in the match (3-0, 2-1, 2-2…)
• Under 2.5 goals: 2 goals or fewer (0-0, 1-0, 1-1…)

The ".5" simply avoids ties: a match cannot have 2.5 goals.

Correct score

You have to predict the exact final score, for example 2-1. It is a very difficult bet, which is why the odds are usually high.

Handicap

A handicap gives one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage to balance a one-sided match.

Example: with a -1 handicap on Egypt against South Sudan, Egypt must win by at least two goals for your bet to win. A 1-0 victory is not enough.

Which bet type should you choose?

There is no such thing as a "safe" bet. Every bet type has its own advantages and risks. For beginners, simple bets such as 1X2 or double chance are the easiest to understand. The key is to know exactly what you are betting on, and to keep your stakes reasonable.

Read more

• How to read football betting odds
• Accumulator bets explained: how football accas work
• Our bookmaker promo codes

Sports betting is restricted to people aged 18 and over and carries risks of financial loss and addiction. Please gamble responsibly.