Betting School

Intro

This section is designed to help those who are less familiar with football betting. Top Football Tipster focuses only on certain types of bet because they can be predicted with more reliability than other types, this section explains how these particular bets work, giving examples when needed. Scroll down or click on the menu headings for explanations.

Types of bet


The most common football bet, and the aim is to predict whether the match result at the end of normal time (90 minutes plus injury time) will be one of the following three options:

  • A win for team A (Loss for Team B)
  • A win for team B (Loss for Team A)
  • A draw (Neither Team A or Team B win)

This bet is also known as "1x2" (1 = home win, x = draw, 2 = away win) or "WLD" (win, lose, draw).

This is a good bet for situations when you feel a team should win but are concerned the opposition might try to 'park the bus' and play for the draw. This does reduce the odds on each team winning, but does give the security of knowing that a draw will also secure the win, except for the "1 or 2" option, see below.

The following options are available:

  • 1 or X - If the result is home win or a draw, then bets on this option are winners.
  • X or 2 - If the result is a draw or an away win, then bets on this option are winners.
  • 1 or 2 - If the result is a home or away win, then bets on this option are winners.

This is similar to a full time result bet, however there is no option to back the draw. Either team can be backed to win and if the result is a draw, the bet will be classed as 'void' and the stake will be refunded. This does reduce the odds on each team winning, but does give the security of knowing that a draw will not lose the bet.

The aim of this bet is to predict whether the selected team will score more goals than the opposition in just one of the two halves of the match.

  • The following options are available:
  • 1WEH - where the Home team scores more goals than the Away team in either the 1st or 2nd half of the match.
  • 2WEH - where the Away team scores more goals than the Home team in either the 1st or 2nd half of the match.

This is exactly as the name suggests, you're backing a team to win without conceding a goal. Whether it be the home team or the away team, they have to win and they have to keep a clean sheet. If the backed team draws or loses, or concedes a goal, the bet is lost. This is advisable when the team is a strong favourite and have a good defence, as it will give better odds than a straight full time result bet.

Once again the name gives away the meaning of this bet, you're backing whether or not both teams will score a goal at the end of normal time (90 minutes plus injury time). The match result has no effect on the outcome, just the number of goals each team scores, and the following two options are available:

  • YES - If both teams score a goal, the bet wins.
  • NO - If one or both teams fail to score, the bet wins.

With this you are backing two outcomes in the same bet: The outcome of the match result (home win, away win, or draw) Whether or not both teams will score a goal at the end of normal time.

This bet can be useful if you want to increase the odds on a heavy favourite winning as you can select the favourite to win without both teams scoring, if you feel they will not concede a goal during their win. It is also useful if two attacking teams are playing each other and you fancy one of them to win with both teams scoring, the odds on these can be very good.

There are six options for this type of bet:

  • Team A & Yes - If Team A wins and both teams score, the bet wins.
  • Team A & No - If Team A wins and both teams do not score, the bet wins.
  • Draw & Yes - If the result is a draw and both teams score, the bet wins.
  • Draw & No - If the result is a draw and both teams do not score, the bet wins.
  • Team B & Yes - If Team B wins and both teams score, the bet wins.
  • Team B & No - If Team B wins and both teams do not score, the bet wins.

With this you are backing two outcomes in the same bet:

  • The outcome of the match result (home win, away win, or draw)
  • Whether the match will contain over or under a certain number of goals (usually 2.5 but can be higher when many goals are expected).

This bet can be useful if you feel you're able to predict the winner and you feel it could be a tight game with few goals or an attacking high scoring game.

There are six options for this type of bet:

  • Team A & Over 2.5 - If Team A wins and over 2.5 goals are scored, the bet wins.
  • Team A & Under 2.5 - If Team A wins and under 2.5 goals are scored, the bet wins.
  • Draw & Over 2.5 - If the result is a draw and over 2.5 goals are scored, the bet wins.
  • Draw & Under 2.5 - If the result is a draw and under 2.5 goals are scored, the bet wins.
  • Team B & Over 2.5 - If Team B wins and over 2.5 goals are scored, the bet wins.
  • Team B & Under 2.5 - If Team B wins and under 2.5 goals are scored, the bet wins.

This type of bet is very similar to the "Total Goals (Over/Under)" in that its aim is to predict whether the number of goals scored at the end of normal time will be over or under a certain number. However, the "Goal Line" options have a lot more flexibility, which is why it's my preference when betting on goals. As with the "Asian handicaps", this type of bet can be a little more complicated, so is best explained using some examples.

Goal Line 2:

Goal line under 2
  • 1 or less goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 2 goals scored in the match - Bet is void and stake refunded
  • 3 or more goals scored in the match - Bet loses
Goal line over 2
  • 3 or more goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 2 goals scored in the match - Bet is void and stake refunded
  • 1 or less goals scored in the match - Bet loses
Goal Line 2,2.5:

Goal line under 2,2.5
  • 1 or less goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 2 goals scored in the match - Half the bet is void and refunded, the other half of the bet wins
  • 3 or more goals scored in the match - Bet loses
Goal line over 2,2.5
  • 3 or more goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 2 goals scored in the match - Half the bet is void and refunded, the other half of the bet loses
  • 1 or less goals scored in the match - Bet loses
Goal Line 2.5:

Goal line under 2.5
  • 2 or less goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 3 or more goals scored in the match - Bet loses
Goal line over 2.5
  • 3 or more goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 2 or less goals scored in the match - Bet loses
Goal Line 2.5,3:

Goal line under 2.5,3
  • 2 or less goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 3 goals scored in the match - Half the bet loses, the other half of the bet is void and refunded
  • 4 or more goals scored in the match - Bet loses
Goal line over 2.5,3
  • 4 or more goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 3 goals scored in the match - Half the bet wins, the other half of the bet is void and refunded
  • 2 or less goals scored in the match - Bet loses
Goal Line 3:

Goal line under 3
  • 2 or less goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 3 goals scored in the match - Bet is void and stake refunded
  • 4 or more goals scored in the match - Bet loses
Goal line over 3
  • 4 or more goals are scored in the match - Bet wins
  • 3 goals scored in the match - Bet is void and stake refunded
  • 2 or less goals scored in the match - Bet loses

This is a very simple bet in which you're backing whether or not a team will keep a clean sheet (not concede a goal) at the end of normal time (90 minutes plus injury time). The match result has no effect on the outcome, just whether or not the selected team concedes a goal, and the following four options are available:

  • Team A & Yes - If Team A doesn't concede a goal, the bet wins.
  • Team A & No - If Team A concedes a goal, the bet wins.
  • Team B & Yes - If Team B doesn't concede a goal, the bet wins.
  • Team B & No - If Team B concedes a goal, the bet wins.

This is a two-option bet on whether there will be more or less goals than the number of goals quoted at the end of normal time. The most common option is more or less than 2.5 goals but you will often see many variations such as 0.5, 1.5, 3.5, 4.5, and even higher sometimes. This is quite a popular bet as there are only two outcomes and often it can be possible to predict high and low scoring games without needing to try and predict what the actual score might be.

Example:

Team A v Team B: Over 2.5 Goals

  • Bet Wins if 3 or more goals are scored.
  • Bet Loses if 2 or less goals are scored.

This type of bet is based on whether a team will score more or less goals than the number of goals quoted at the end of normal time. You will often see many variations such as 0.5, 1.5, 3.5, 4.5, and even higher sometimes. This can be a good bet if you feel one of the teams will pose a strong attacking threat or if a team is likely to struggle scoring.

The following options are available:

  • Team A Over - If Team A scores over the quoted number of goals, the bet wins.
  • Team A Under - If Team A scores under the quoted number of goals, the bet wins.
  • Team B Over - If Team B scores over the quoted number of goals, the bet wins.
  • Team B Under - If Team B scores under the quoted number of goals, the bet wins.

This type of bet is based on predicting the result at half time and full time in the same bet.

There are nine options for this type of bet:

  • Team A / Team A - If Team A is winning at half time and full time, the bet wins.
  • Team A / Draw - If Team A is winning at half time and level at full time, the bet wins.
  • Team A / Team B - If Team A is winning at half time and Team B at full time, the bet wins.
  • Draw / Team A - If the teams are level at half time and Team A winning at full time, the bet wins.
  • Draw / Draw - If the teams are level at half time and full time, the bet wins.
  • Draw / Team B - If the teams are level at half time and Team B winning at full time, the bet wins.
  • Team B / Team A - If Team B is winning at half time and Team A at full time, the bet wins.
  • Team B / Draw - If Team B is winning at half time and level at full time, the bet wins.
  • Team B / Team B - If Team B is winning at half time and full time, the bet wins.

This type of bet can be a way of increasing the odds over a standard 'full time result' bet. For example if one team is heavily fancied to dominate the match and comfortably win, it will significantly increase the odds to back the team to win at half time and full time instead of just backing them to win at full time.

Also, if you feel a match will be low scoring, you could back a draw at half time followed by the team you expect to win to be winning at full time, this option can often give very good odds.

Virtually the same as the "Full time result" but the aim is to predict whether the match result at Half Time (including first half injury time) will be one of the following three options:

  • A win for team A (Loss for Team B)
  • A win for team B (Loss for Team A)
  • A draw (Neither Team A or Team B win)

The Asian handicaps are probably my favourite type of bet as they give a lot of flexibility for match results taking into account the handicaps, be careful not to confuse them with a standard "Handicap Match Result" bet. Not all online bookies seem to cover the Asian handicaps so I usually recommend choosing a bookie which has this option available.

There are two main types of Asian handicap, the "Single" and "Double", and both contain many different options. The beauty of these being that with some options, the draw (once the handicap is taken into account) will result in a void outcome meaning a refund.

The best way to explain how this type of bet works is to provide examples, lets start with "Single Asian handicaps".

-1.5 Asian handicap:

Best suited to games where you feel a team should win comfortably and are looking to increase the odds.

  • Team wins by 2 or more goals - The bet wins.
  • Team wins by 1 goal, draws, or loses - The bet loses.
-1.0 Asian handicap:

Best suited to games where there looks to be a clear winner and you want to enhance the odds a little from a standard "Win - Match Result" bet, but with no extra risk of losing.

  • Team wins by 2 or more goals - The bet wins.
  • Team wins by exactly 1 goal - The bet is void and stake refunded.
  • Team draws or loses - The bet loses.
-0.5 Asian handicap:

Essentially this is the same as picking a team to win in a standard "Full Time Result" bet.

  • Team wins - The bet wins.
  • Team draws or loses - The bet loses.
0.0 Asian handicap:

Essentially the same as a "Draw no bet" and best suited to games where you feel a team should win but are concerned the opposition might try to 'park the bus' and play for the draw.

  • Team wins - The bet wins.
  • Team draws - The bet is void and stake refunded.
  • Team loses - The bet loses.
+0.5 Asian handicap:

Essentially the same as a "Double chance - win or draw" bet and best suited to games where you feel a team should win but are concerned the opposition might try to 'park the bus' and play for the draw.

  • Team draws or wins - The bet wins.
  • Team loses - The bet loses.
+1.0 Asian handicap:

Best suited to games where you feel the odds are good on the underdog and a draw is a strong possibility with a slight risk of a narrow loss.

  • Team draws or wins - The bet wins.
  • Team loses by 1 goal - The bet is void and stake refunded.
  • Team loses by 2 or more goals - The bet loses.
+1.5 Asian handicap:

Not an option I would usually look for but could be worth a shot if you feel the underdog has much longer odds than they should have.

  • Team loses by 1 goal, draws, or wins - The bet wins.
  • Team loses by 2 or more goals - The bet loses.

Now for the "Double Asian Handicaps", these are a little bit more complicated which can put a lot of people off, but once you understand them they can be a very useful option. They basically split your bet into two halves, one for the first part of the double handicap selection, and the second for the second part of the double handicap selection. Once again the easiest way to explain is through some examples.

-1.0,-1.5 Asian handicap:
  • Team wins by 2 or more goals - The bet wins.
  • Team wins by 1 goal - Half the bet is void and refunded, the other half of the bet loses.
  • Team draws or loses - The bet loses.
-0.5,-1.0 Asian handicap:
  • Team wins by 2 or more goals - The bet wins.
  • Team wins by 1 goal - Half the bet wins, the other half of the bet is void and refunded.
  • Team draws or loses - The bet loses.
0.0,-0.5 Asian handicap:
  • Team wins by 1 or more goals - The bet wins.
  • Team draws - Half the bet is void and refunded, the other half of the bet loses.
  • Team loses - The bet loses.
0.0,+0.5 Asian handicap:
  • Team wins by 1 or more goals - The bet wins.
  • Team draws - Half the bet is void and refunded, the other half of the bet wins.
  • Team loses - The bet loses.
+0.5,+1.0 Asian handicap:
  • Team draws or wins - The bet wins.
  • Team loses by 1 goal - Half the bet loses, the other half of the bet is void and refunded.
  • Team loses by 2 or more goals - The bet loses.
+1.0,+1.5 Asian handicap:
  • Team draws, or wins - The bet wins.
  • Team loses by 1 goal - Half the bet is void and refunded, the other half of the bet wins.
  • Team loses by 2 or more goals - The bet loses.

Combination Options


Combination options come in three different forms, a multiple bet, a full cover bet, and a full cover bet with singles:

Multiple Bet - A double, treble, or accumulator, linked as a series of singles where the returns from the first selection are automatically staked on the second selection and so on until all selections have won, if one selection loses the whole bet is lost.

Full cover bet - A bet consisting of all possible doubles, trebles and accumulators across a given number of selections. In this case, one or more selections losing doesn't always mean the whole bet is lost.

Full cover bet with singles - A bet consisting of all possible singles, doubles, trebles and accumulators across a given number of selections. In this case, one or more selections losing doesn't always mean the whole bet is lost.

The potential returns of these combination bets when taking into account various (win, void, loss) outcomes for each selection can be calculated using our "Bet Calculator" page.


A bet on a single selection, which must win to gain a return.
A bet on two selections from different events, both of which must win to gain a return.
A bet on three selections from different events, all of which must win to gain a return.

A bet on three selections from different events, which consists of the following 4 separate bets:

  • 3 doubles
  • 1 treble

A minimum two selections must win to gain a return.

A bet on three selections from different events, which consists of the following 7 separate bets:

  • 3 singles
  • 3 doubles
  • 1 treble

One selection must win to gain a return

A bet on four or more selections from different events, all of which must win to gain a return. This is a popular way of potentially getting a high return from a relatively small stake. Some bookies allow up to 20 different selections in the one accumulator.

A bet on four selections from different events, which consists of the following 11 separate bets:

  • 6 doubles
  • 4 trebles
  • 1 fourfold accumulator

A minimum two selections must win to gain a return

A bet on four selections from different events, which consists of the following 15 separate bets:

  • 4 singles
  • 6 doubles
  • 4 trebles
  • 1 fourfold accumulator

One selection must win to gain a return

A bet on five selections from different events, which consists of the following 26 separate bets:

  • 10 doubles
  • 10 trebles
  • 5 fourfold accumulators
  • 1 fivefold accumulator

A minimum two selections must win to gain a return

A bet on five selections from different events, which consists of the following 31 separate bets:

  • 5 singles
  • 10 doubles
  • 10 trebles
  • 5 fourfold accumulators
  • 1 fivefold accumulator

One selection must win to gain a return

A bet on six selections from different events, which consists of the following 57 separate bets:

  • 15 doubles
  • 20 trebles
  • 15 fourfold accumulators
  • 6 fivefold accumulators
  • 1 sixfold accumulator

A minimum two selections must win to gain a return

A bet on six selections from different events, which consists of the following 63 separate bets:

  • 6 singles
  • 15 doubles
  • 20 trebles
  • 15 fourfold accumulators
  • 6 fivefold accumulators
  • 1 sixfold accumulator

One selection must win to gain a return

A bet on seven selections from different events, which consists of the following 120 separate bets:

  • 21 doubles
  • 35 trebles
  • 35 fourfold accumulators
  • 21 fivefold accumulators
  • 7 sixfold accumulators
  • 1 sevenfold accumulator

A minimum two selections must win to gain a return

A bet on eight selections from different events, which consists of the following 247 separate bets:

  • 28 doubles
  • 56 trebles
  • 70 fourfold accumulators
  • 56 fivefold accumulators
  • 28 sixfold accumulators
  • 8 sevenfold accumulator
  • 1 eightfold accumulator

A minimum two selections must win to gain a return

 
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