Football betting: ninety minutes, three outcomes and many ways around them
By Kristaps Birznieks · updated October 2026
Football is the largest betting market in the world, and its defining feature is the draw. Most markets are built either to include the draw as an outcome or to remove it. This page explains the main ones and the settlement rules that decide many disputes. We do not describe any operator's coverage or limits.
1X2: the full-time result
The 1X2 market settles on the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalty shoot-outs in cup matches do not count unless the market says so. A match that goes to penalties is a draw for 1X2 purposes. For "to qualify" or "to lift the trophy" bets, separate markets exist.
The margin in 1X2 is calculated over three outcomes. Example: 2.40 / 3.40 / 3.00 gives implied probabilities of 41.7% + 29.4% + 33.3% = 104.4%, a margin of about 4.4%. The same method works for any market; see Sports betting.
Double chance and draw no bet
Double chance covers two of the three outcomes — home or draw, away or draw, home or away. Draw no bet returns the stake on a draw. Both trade price for safety; neither removes the margin.
Asian handicap
The Asian handicap removes the draw by giving one side a start in goals. Half lines (−0.5, +1.5) always produce a winner. Whole lines (0, −1) refund the stake on an exact result. Quarter lines (−0.25, −0.75) split the stake between two neighbouring lines.
| Line on the favourite | Win by 1 | Draw |
|---|---|---|
| −0.5 | Win | Lose |
| −0.75 | Half win, half refund | Lose |
| 0 (draw no bet) | Win | Refund |
Asian lines are popular because they often carry lower margins than 1X2.
Goals: totals and both teams to score
Over/under 2.5 is the classic totals line: three or more goals for over. Lines of 2.0 or 3.0 refund the stake on an exact hit; quarter lines split the stake. Both teams to score settles on whether each side scores at least once; own goals usually count for the team credited with the goal.
Corners, cards and player markets
Corners, bookings and player props (shots, scorers) are widely offered. Their settlement rules vary more than main markets: whether a card in stoppage time counts, how bookings are converted into "points", what happens if a player does not start. Read the rules for each before staking.
Practical checklist
- Confirm which time segment the market covers: 90 minutes, extra time, or the full tie.
- Calculate the margin of the market, and compare it with an Asian line on the same game.
- Prefer singles if you want to keep the cost of betting low; accumulators multiply margin.
- Set a stake limit for the matchday, not per bet.
Bet forms are compared in Bet types. If you also follow hockey, note that its three-way market works differently with overtime. Budget tools are in Responsible gambling.