Betting Strategy Guide
How to Bet on Soccer
Key takeaways
- The standard soccer moneyline has three outcomes, home win, draw or away win, so a bet on either team loses if the match ends level.
- Double chance covers two of the three outcomes, while draw no bet returns your stake if the match is a draw.
- Most soccer bets are settled on 90 minutes plus stoppage time, with extra time and penalties usually counting only in markets such as to qualify.
To bet on soccer, you choose a match and pick a market, most often the three-way moneyline, where you back the home team, the draw or the away team. Because draws are common, soccer also has markets that remove or cover the draw, plus goal lines, totals and both teams to score.
The three-way moneyline (1X2)
1 is the home team, X the draw and 2 the away team. Say a match is priced Home +120, Draw +240, Away +230. A $100 bet on the draw wins $240. The implied probabilities are 100 ÷ 220 = 45.5%, 100 ÷ 340 = 29.4% and 100 ÷ 330 = 30.3%, which add up to more than 100%; the difference is the sportsbook's margin. More in the moneyline guide and how to read odds.
Markets that handle the draw
| Bet on the home team | Wins if | If the match is a draw |
|---|---|---|
| Three-way moneyline | The home team wins | Loses |
| Double chance (home or draw) | The home team wins or draws | Wins |
| Draw no bet | The home team wins | Stake returned |
The more outcomes a bet covers, the shorter its price.
Goal lines, totals and both teams to score
- Goal line: a handicap in goals, soccer's version of the point spread. Lines can use half and quarter goals.
- Totals: combined goals, most often over/under 2.5. See total betting.
- Both teams to score: yes wins if each team scores at least once; the result does not matter.
90 minutes, stoppage time and extra time
Most soccer bets are settled on the score after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. When a knockout match goes to extra time or penalties, those usually count only in markets such as to qualify or to win the trophy. Rules vary by market, so check the house rules.
Futures and current lines
Futures cover outcomes settled later, such as a league or cup winner or a competition's top scorer. Availability varies by event. See the current lines on the soccer page, including MLS and the Champions League.
Betting at Betcris Arizona
Betcris Arizona is licensed by the Arizona Department of Gaming. You must be 21 or older and located in Arizona to place a bet. Check the current promotions before you bet, and read our responsible gaming policy. If gambling stops being fun, call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 1X2 mean in soccer betting?
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The three outcomes of a match: 1 is a home win, X a draw and 2 an away win. You bet on one of them.
What is draw no bet?
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A bet on one team where a draw returns your stake. It pays less than the same team on the three-way moneyline in exchange for that protection.
Does extra time count in soccer bets?
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Most soccer bets are settled on 90 minutes plus stoppage time, so extra time and penalties do not count. Markets such as to qualify usually include them; check the house rules.
What does both teams to score mean?
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A bet on whether each team scores at least one goal. Yes wins if both score; no wins if either team fails to score.
