What is 1X2 betting?

1X2 betting consists of predicting the outcome of a match or contest, with three potential outcomes:

1 represents a win for the home team.

X represents the contest ending in a draw.

2 represents a win for the away team.

A 1X2 bet is the most rudimentary form of betting, as it is something that most people will be able to relate to, whether the game will be won by the home team, the away team, or if it will be a draw.

A 1X2 bet can be a standalone wager, or it can be combined with other selections on an accumulator. The latter is a popular choice as it results in greater potential returns.

This type of bet is most associated with football, but it is used in other sports betting, such as cricket, rugby, basketball, and ice hockey.

Tennis is contested by two players or pairs, and generally doesn’t end in a draw, so the 1X2 bet tends not to apply to that sport. The same goes for snooker, with the total frames representing an odd number so there cannot be a draw.

In the event that a football game is played at a neutral venue, such as a cup tie, the organiser decides which team is the designated home side.

Some caveats to this form of betting would include a cup final, when the 1X2 would generally refer to the 90 minutes of normal time.

In games like this, when there has to be a winner, separate markets exist, such as ‘to qualify’ or ‘to lift the trophy’.

Examples of 1x2 bets

Take a look at the image above, where the three outcomes of the football match are outlined.

You can select:

A Tottenham Hotspur win (1)

A draw (X)

A Manchester United win (2)

In this contest, neither team was at home and like all cup deciders, the match could be decided in extra time or penalties.

For a 1X2 bet, none of this matters.

You are simply betting on whether the regulation 90-minute game will be won by either team, or if it will be a draw.

In a single 1X2 bet selection, you can only back one of the three outcomes.

If you place a £10 bet on Manchester United, you will only win if they win the match.

A Tottenham win, or a draw, means you will lose your bet and any stake placed.

From the odds given above by Unibet, a £10 stake on Manchester United to win the game would return you approximately £24.00, meaning a total profit of £14.00

Popular sports for 1X2 betting

As stated above, football dominates the 1X2 betting market, where it will be offered on almost every single game.

In addition to football, you will see 1X2 betting offered in other sports, but the lesser chances of a draw result in higher odds.

In cricket, the 1X2 market is a popular one during Test matches but this code has seen more aggressive tactics in recent times as captains push for the victory. In rugby union and rugby league, you will see 1X2 odds listed but the scoring system means a draw is uncommon.

You will also see the 1X2 market available in boxing from selected operators, with a draw representing long odds. If two fighters are closely matched, you might get odds greater than 10/1, and in one-sided bouts, the odds of a draw could be greater than 14/1.

In the United States, the 1X2 market is not a prevalent one, due to the customs of American betting and the nature of the sports.

In the NFL, NBA, MLB, and to a lesser extent the NHL, the games generally end in a victory, so U.S. sportsbooks tend to only offer odds on a win for the competing teams.

Types of 1X2 bets

This is where the market goes beyond the basics, with plenty of variation and detail available.

The offerings cater to those wanting specific betting markets, with some reducing the risk.

Double Chance in 1X2 allows you to back two of the three possible outcomes in a match simultaneously. For example, you can bet on a home win or a draw (1X, X2), meaning the only chance of losing the bet is an away win.

Draw No Bet (DNB) is a market typically with lower odds that backs either team to win. A draw means your stake is refunded, but the enhanced protection is reflected in the price.

First Half/Half Time 1X2 is a specialised market where the bet applies only to the half-time outcome, rather than the full game.

Second Half 1X2 is the same bet, on the second half only.

The Half-Time/Full-Time market is one with bigger odds due to its difficulty. With this selection, you are betting on the results of the game in the respective halves, not just the final score.

In the Asian Handicap 1X2 market, this is where the basic 1X2 selections will have a handicap applied to the number of goals in the match, with more information given below.

1X2 Handicap Betting

The 1X2 Handicap Betting market gives precedence to the perceived stronger team, with a handicap applied to their score.

It effectively adds goals to the team considered to be inferior, to level the contest for this particular betting market, and increases the odds of a victory for the underdog.

To better understand the market, let’s consider an example where Liverpool are hosting Accrington Stanley in an FA Cup tie at Anfield.

The Reds would be clear runaway favourites for the contest in normal terms, which is where the specialist market comes into play. If the handicap is +1 for Accrington, this automatically means -1 for Liverpool for the score at the beginning of the contest.

If you were to bet on Liverpool -1, they would need to win by at least two goals to win the bet, but if the actual result was just 1-0, the bet would be lost due to the handicap.

Betting on a strong favorite like this would be reflected in the shorter odds offered, but if you were to select the 1X2 handicap betting market for a Champions League semi-final, this could potentially return significant profit.

Think of a keenly contested match like Real Madrid v Barcelona, which would see greater odds offered due to the unpredictability of the result.

With this market, the key is understanding. You will need to consider team selection issues, injuries, current form, and the context around the game you will be betting on.

Beyond this, the odds offered on the bet indicate how likely it is to be a success. You might want to choose a selection or two with higher odds, but with this, your expectations should be adjusted.

What to consider with 1X2 betting / 1X2 betting strategies

As stated above, there are things that you need to consider and understand when placing 1X2 bets, especially with the handicap market.

Don’t just throw yourself into it if you are new or unfamiliar with this bet type. There are various strategies to be aware of.

Analyse the form and stats

The first is to know the context of what you are betting on. Know the league tables and the form of the teams involved in the market, or team selection and injury issues. Maybe players are being rested for a cup tie, you need to know what is happening.

All of these things can impact the match and the outcome of your bet.

Improve your chances, consider the double chance option

When betting on games, there is no guarantee of success but you can increase your chances. With the 1X2 market, you can back two outcomes with double chance betting.

With this, instead of only selecting a home win, away win, or a draw, you can opt for two outcomes: 1X, X2, or 12.

The compromise with the increased chances of success is shorter odds, meaning lesser potential returns.

Compare the odds across different betting providers

You might prefer to place your bets on a particular platform or in store at a betting shop, but what if you can get better odds elsewhere? Shop around.

There will be a variance in the odds offered by different bookmakers, even if there is not much difference, however this can make a difference in multi-leg accumulators, for example.

You should also be alert for special offer bets, which will present enhanced odds on certain market selections.

Matched betting

Now, this strategy isn’t one that is likely to appeal to new or novice bettors, but Matched Betting means guaranteeing an outcome to reduce risk.

This system takes advantage of bonuses offered by betting outlets (especially new sign-up offers), to guarantee a return and a profit.

It involves placing a bet on a certain platform, let’s say a 1X double chance bet, then an opposite selection (away win) with another provider to guarantee a winner with all potential outcomes covered.

If you decide to take up bonus offers, make sure you are clear on bonus rules and any wagering requirements.

There is also the possibility of laying a bet on a betting exchange, but this requires further understanding.

Don’t let your heart rule your head - be responsible

You should always act with responsibility when betting, but in particular with your selections, manage your risk.

Don’t let emotion sway you.

While you should always contemplate backing an outsider or an upset, the chances of Accrington Stanley pulling off an FA Cup upset against Liverpool at Anfield are slim. This would be reflected by objective analysis.

If you are a supporter of a particular team, don’t let your passion and emotion get in the way of sound judgement.

By all means, back your team, but manage the risk and amounts staked.