The 1X2 bet (match result)
The 1X2 bet is the simplest and most popular type of bet. You wager on the final result of a match: home team win (1), draw (X), or away team win (2). This format applies primarily to football, handball, ice hockey, and other sports where a draw is possible. For sports with no draw option (tennis, basketball), the bet comes down to a binary choice between the two opponents.
The 1X2 odds directly reflect the bookmakers' estimate of the probability of each outcome. A strong home favorite might show odds of 1.25 while the draw would be at 5.50 and the away win at 10.00. The 1X2 is the ideal starting point for beginners thanks to its simplicity. To learn more about odds and what they mean, check out our article on understanding odds.
Despite its apparent simplicity, the 1X2 bet offers interesting opportunities. By analyzing home/away statistics, recent form, and head-to-head records, you can identify odds undervalued by bookmakers. The draw, often overlooked by the general public, can offer value in certain tactical setups.
Handicap betting (European and Asian)
Handicap betting involves assigning a virtual advantage or disadvantage to a team before the match begins. The goal is to level the playing field between a favorite and an underdog. For example, a handicap of -1.5 for Team A means they must win by at least 2 goals for your bet to be successful. Conversely, a handicap of +1.5 for Team B means they can lose by one goal and your bet still wins.
European handicap offers half-goal lines (0.5, 1.5, 2.5) which eliminate any possibility of a draw in the bet outcome. Asian handicap goes further by offering quarter-goal lines (0.25, 0.75, 1.25), which can result in a partial refund of the stake in certain scenarios. This type of bet is particularly favored by experienced bettors because it offers more competitive odds than the standard 1X2.
Handicap betting is essential when a match has a clear imbalance. Rather than betting at 1.10 on a heavy favorite, the handicap lets you get odds of 1.80 or more by requiring a win with a margin. It's a powerful tool for improving the profitability of your bets on lopsided matches.
Over/Under (total goals)
The over/under bet asks you to predict whether the total number of goals (or points) in a match will be above (over) or below (under) a line set by the bookmaker. The most common line in football is 2.5 goals: an "over 2.5" bet wins if there are 3 or more goals in the match, while an "under 2.5" bet wins if there are 0, 1, or 2 goals.
Other lines are available (0.5, 1.5, 3.5, 4.5, etc.) with odds that vary accordingly. The lower the line for an over bet, the lower the odds since the event is more likely. This type of bet is popular because it doesn't require you to pick a winner — you focus solely on the pace and style of the match.
To analyze an over/under, study the average goals scored and conceded by both teams, their playing style (attacking or defensive), weather conditions, and the stakes of the match. A bottom-of-the-table clash with nothing to play for tends toward the under, while a derby between two prolific attacks favors the over. Our suite of tools helps you calculate the associated probabilities.
Accumulator bets (combos)
An accumulator bet combines multiple selections into a single wager. All selections must win for the bet to pay out. The odds of each selection are multiplied together, generating a potential payout far higher than individual single bets. For example, three selections at 1.80 each produce combined odds of 5.83 (1.80 × 1.80 × 1.80).
The appeal of accumulators lies in the possibility of high returns from a modest stake. However, the probability of winning drops rapidly with the number of selections. A 2-fold accumulator has roughly a 30% chance of success (on average), but a 5-fold drops below 5%. Bookmakers love accumulators because the cumulative margin works strongly in their favor.
If you enjoy accumulators, limit yourself to 2 or 3 selections and make sure each one has been analyzed individually. Avoid adding selections just "to boost the odds" without proper analysis. Professional bettors favor single bets, but accumulators remain a legitimate pleasure as long as you manage your bankroll properly.
Special bets and alternative markets
Beyond the standard markets, bookmakers offer a multitude of special bets: first goalscorer, number of corners, number of cards, correct score, half-time/full-time, anytime goalscorer, and many more. These markets, also known as "props" (proposition bets), allow you to bet on very specific aspects of a sporting event.
Special bets are particularly extensive for major events (World Cup, Champions League, Super Bowl) where bookmakers offer hundreds of markets per match. You can bet on the number of shots on target by a player, the timing of the first goal, or even non-sporting events related to the competition. Odds on these markets are often less efficient, which can create opportunities for well-informed bettors.
To explore all betting possibilities, compare offerings from different bookmakers — some specialize in market depth while others focus on major sports. The key is to only bet on markets you fully understand and on which you have an informed opinion.