Common Types of Soccer Bets: A Guide for Beginners

2024 is setting out to be an eventful year in the world of soccer. International and high-profile competitions will take place in the upcoming months, from the Champions League to Copa América and FIFA’s new Intercontinental Cup. After the enormous success of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, there are also great expectations for female soccer competitions.

Needless to say, the sport offers plenty of opportunities to bet on a match’s outcome as well as individual players’ performance. Hence, online sportsbooks and casinos like mega dice allow users to follow the top competitions, review the latest odds, and place their wagers. If you are new to soccer betting (or soccer in general), here are some of the most common bet formats you should know about.

Full-time result

Also known as the WLD (win or lose draw) or 1×2, the full-time result is one of the most fundamental and straightforward soccer wagers. Essentially, you predict the outcome of a match by selecting one of three options: “1” for a home team win, “X” for a draw, or “2” for an away team win. It offers a simple way for bettors to express their confidence in the likely result of a game. As you become more familiar with soccer betting, you’ll notice that the full-time result format provides a foundation for more complex betting types.

Both Teams to Score (BTTS)

Both Teams to Score (BTTS) is also a straightforward betting format in soccer. It centers on whether both teams will score at least one goal during a match, irrespective of the final result. You choose either “Yes” or “No” based on their prediction. Not long ago, the 2022-23 EPL (English Premier League) season saw both teams scoring in 52% of all 380 games. So, BTTS could also improve your chances of an accurate prediction.

Over/Under

When you opt for the Over/Under or Goal Totals format, you are predicting whether the total number of goals scored in a match will be above or below a specified threshold set by the bookmaker. Commonly expressed as a half-goal to avoid a push, bettors decide if the actual total will be more (over) or less (under) than that figure. Typically, the bet is more or less than 2.5 goals but you may come across several variations like 0.5, 1.5, 3.5, and 4.5.

Double chance

Known for its versatility, Double Chance is another format that novice soccer bettors should familiarize themselves with. It allows you to cover two out of the three possible outcomes in a match, providing a buffer against the risk of a loss. With three options—home team win or draw, away team win or draw, and home team win or away team win—bettors increase their chances of a positive outcome. This bet format is particularly useful when one team is a clear favorite, reducing the risk associated with traditional Match Result (1X2) bets.

Half-Time/Full-Time (HT/FT)

Finally, Half-Time/Full-Time or HT/FT bet involves predicting the outcomes of both the first half and the entire match. In this case, you choose from various combinations, such as a team leading at half-time and winning the match or being level at half-time but ultimately emerging victorious. This bet introduces a higher level of complexity, requiring a solid understanding of team dynamics and performance patterns.

To conclude

Full-time result, Over/Under, Double chance, BTTS, and HT/FT are some of the most common bet types in soccer. As a beginner, it’s good to get acquainted with them and determine which one is more suitable for your needs and interests. Yet, bear in mind that there are several other formats worth exploring, including Parlay, Draw No Bet, and Asian Handicap to name a few.