Betting Markets Explained: 1X2, Double Chance, Over/Under and More

A betting market is the question a bet answers. Before you can judge any tip, you need to know exactly which question it asks and how it settles. This guide covers the markets you will see most often, using football as the example, and the settlement rules that catch people out.

Match result (1X2)

You pick the home win (1), the draw (X) or the away win (2) after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count. Because there are three outcomes, the bookmaker's margin is spread across three prices, and 1X2 usually carries a higher margin than two-way markets.

Double chance

Two of the three results in one bet: home or draw (1X), away or draw (X2), or home or away (12). The price is shorter because you are covered twice. A double chance on a team is the same bet as an Asian handicap of +0.5 on that team. See Asian handicap explained.

Draw no bet

You back one team, and if the match is a draw your stake is returned. It is the same as an Asian handicap of 0. It prices between the straight win and the double chance.

Over/under goals

You bet on whether the total goals in the match are over or under a line. The most common line is 2.5: over 2.5 needs three or more goals, under 2.5 needs two or fewer. Lines such as 2.0 or 2.25 can result in a refund or a half win, in the same way as Asian handicaps. Over/under is a two-way market, so the margin is often lower than 1X2.

Both teams to score (BTTS)

Yes if both sides score at least once, no if either side fails to score. It does not matter who wins.

Asian handicap

A handicap gives one team a head start so the match becomes closer to a coin flip. Lines such as -0.5, +1 or -0.25 remove or split the draw outcome. Many Vantip tips are Asian handicaps, so we have a full explanation in Asian handicap explained.

Correct score, scorers and props

Correct score, first goalscorer and player props have many outcomes, so the bookmaker's margin is usually much higher. They are fun but expensive, and we would not suggest them as a place to start.

Outrights and futures

Bets on a season-long result, such as the league winner. Your money is tied up for months and the margin across all runners is large.

US sports markets

Moneyline, point spread and totals are the standard markets for NFL, NBA and NHL. They work like 1X2 without the draw, an Asian handicap and over/under. See moneyline, spread and totals.

Settlement rules to check every time

• What counts as the match. Most football markets settle on 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Cup ties that go to extra time or penalties are often settled on the 90 minutes only.
• Voids and pushes. If a line lands exactly on the result, such as over 2.0 with exactly two goals, the stake is usually refunded.
• Postponements and abandonments. Bookmakers have different rules, and many void the bet if the match is not completed within a set time.
• Player markets. Some bookmakers void a player bet if the player does not start.

Rules differ by bookmaker, so read the one you are using.

Choosing a market

• Prefer two-way markets when you can, because the margin tends to be lower. See implied probability and the margin.
• Do not take a market you do not understand.
• Compare the same market across bookmakers, because small differences add up.

How tips on Vantip label markets

Each tip card shows its market, such as an Asian handicap or both teams to score, together with the pick and the odds. Read the market name first, then the pick, then the odds. Our methodology explains the confidence, value and edge numbers that go with them.

One match, several markets

Here is how a single football match might be priced across different markets. The prices are illustrative:

• Match result (1X2): home 2.10, draw 3.40, away 3.60
• Double chance: home or draw 1.30, away or draw 1.65
• Draw no bet: home 1.55, away 2.40
• Over/under 2.5 goals: over 1.90, under 1.95
• Both teams to score: yes 1.80, no 2.00

Each market asks a different question about the same match, and a belief about the match can be expressed in several ways. If you think the home side is better but fear a draw, a double chance or draw no bet gives a smaller payout and a safer shape than the straight win.

How the markets relate

• A home win in 1X2 is the same as an Asian handicap of -0.5 on the home side.
• A double chance on the home side (home or draw) is the same as an Asian handicap of +0.5.
• Draw no bet is the same as an Asian handicap of 0.

Knowing these links helps you compare prices across markets and spot the best one. See Asian handicap explained.

Which market fits which opinion

• "They will win, and I want a fair price": 1X2 or an Asian handicap of -0.5.
• "They will not lose": double chance or Asian handicap +0.5.
• "They should win, but I fear a draw": draw no bet.
• "This will be an open game": over 2.5 goals, or both teams to score.
• "This will be tight and cautious": under 2.5 goals.
• "They will win by a clear margin": Asian handicap -1 or -1.5.

The margin differs by market

Every market carries a margin, and it is not the same everywhere. It varies by bookmaker, sport and market, and specials such as correct score and scorers generally carry much larger margins than the main markets. You can measure it with the method in implied probability and the margin. For the over/under pair above, 1 / 1.90 plus 1 / 1.95 is 103.9%, so the margin is 3.9%. For the both-teams-to-score pair, 1 / 1.80 plus 1 / 2.00 is 105.6%, so the margin is 5.6%.

Mistakes to avoid

• Backing a market you do not fully understand.
• Choosing a market because of the payout instead of your opinion.
• Ignoring the settlement rules, especially for cup matches and abandoned games.
• Stacking several markets from the same match as if they were independent. Goals, both teams to score and match result are closely related.
• Chasing high-margin specials because the odds look exciting.

Reading a market on a tip

Each Vantip tip names its market, the pick and the odds. Read them in that order, and ask what has to happen for the pick to win. Then read the reasoning and the edge, as explained in how to read a tip page.

Vantip Team. Information only, not betting advice. 18+. Betting carries risk; see our Responsible Gambling page.