When people think of football (soccer) betting, they often imagine betting on who will win a match. But there are dozens of betting markets available—some simple, some more advanced.

This guide breaks down the most popular types of football bets, with clear examples to help you understand how each one works.

1. Match Result (1X2)

Bet on the outcome of the full 90 minutes (plus injury time).

  • 1 = Home win
  • X = Draw
  • 2 = Away win

Example:

  • Arsenal vs. Spurs
  • Bet: Arsenal to win (1)
  • Final Score: 2-1 → You win
  • Draw or Spurs win → You lose

2. Over/Under Goals

Bet on how many total goals will be scored.

Popular lines: Over/Under 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, etc.

Example:

  • Match: Liverpool vs. Chelsea
  • Bet: Over 2.5 goals
  • Final Score: 2-1 → 3 goals → You win
  • Final Score: 1-1 → 2 goals → You lose

3. Both Teams to Score (BTTS)

Bet on whether both teams will score in the match.

Example:

  • Bet: BTTS – Yes
  • Score: 2-1 → Win
  • Score: 1-0 → Loss

4. Halves Betting

Bet on events within the 1st or 2nd half.

Types include:

  • First Half Result
  • Second Half Goals
  • First Half BTTS
  • Over/Under in 2nd Half

Example:

  • Bet: First Half – Man City to lead
  • HT Score: 1-0 → You win
  • FT Score doesn't matter

5. Minutes Ranges (Time-Based Bets)

Bet on something to happen within a specific minute range.

Example:

  • Bet: Goal between 31st–45th minute
  • If a goal is scored in that window → You win
  • Goals outside that range → You lose

6. Cards Betting

Bet on how many yellow/red cards will be shown, or which team/player will get one.

Examples:

  • Over 3.5 cards total
  • Team A to get most cards
  • Player X to be booked

Example:

  • Bet: Over 4.5 cards
  • 5 yellow cards in total → You win
  • 3 cards only → You lose

7. Corners Betting

Bet on total corners, corner handicap, or which team gets more.

Examples:

  • Over 9.5 total corners
  • Team A -2 corners (handicap)
  • First team to get 5 corners

Example:

  • Bet: Over 9.5 corners
  • 11 total corners → Win

8. Goalscorer Markets

Bet on specific players to score.

Types:

  • First Goalscorer
  • Anytime Goalscorer
  • Last Goalscorer

Example:

  • Bet: Salah to score anytime
  • If Salah scores at any time → You win

9. Handicap Betting

Give one team a virtual head start to level the odds.

Example:

  • Bet: Bayern -1 handicap
  • They must win by 2+ goals for your bet to win
  • Win by 1 → Lose
  • Draw or lose → Lose

10. Asian Handicap

Removes the draw and adds more outcomes like half-win/half-loss.

Often uses decimal lines: -0.5, +1.5, -1.25, etc.

Example:

  • Bet: Juventus -1.5
  • Must win by 2+ goals → Win
  • Win by 1 → Lose

11. Double Chance

Covers two outcomes in one bet.

Options:

  • 1X (Home win or Draw)
  • X2 (Away win or Draw)
  • 12 (Either team wins)

Example:

  • Bet: Draw or Inter to win (X2)
  • If it's a draw or Inter wins → You win
  • Inter loses → You lose

12. Draw No Bet (DNB)

Your stake is refunded if the match ends in a draw.

Example:

  • Bet: AC Milan to win (DNB)
  • If they win → You win
  • If it's a draw → Stake refunded
  • If they lose → You lose

13. Correct Score

Bet on the exact final score. High odds, tough to hit.

Example:

  • Bet: 2-1 to Real Madrid
  • If match ends 2-1 → Win
  • Any other score → Lose

14. Scorecast / Wincast

Combo bets involving the score and a goalscorer.

  • Scorecast: First goalscorer + correct score
  • Wincast: Player to score + team to win

Example:

  • Bet: Mbappe to score first & France to win 2-1
  • If both happen → Big payout
  • Miss either part → You lose

15. Outright Bets (Futures)

Bet on the outcome of a full tournament or league.

Examples:

  • Man City to win Premier League
  • Messi to be top scorer in the World Cup

These bets usually run long-term.

16. In-Play (Live) Betting

Place bets during the match. Odds change in real-time.

Examples:

  • Bet on the next team to score
  • Bet on Over 1.5 goals at halftime
  • Cash out early if things turn your way

17. To Win to Nil

Bet on a team to win without conceding.

Example:

  • Bet: Juventus to win to nil
  • Final score: 2-0 → Win
  • Final score: 2-1 → Lose

18. Specials / Prop Bets

Fun or specific bets not tied to the score.

Examples:

  • Player X to have 2+ shots on target
  • Penalty to be awarded
  • Manager to get a red card

19. Player & Team Stats Bets (Props)

These bets go beyond goals and results. You're betting on in-game stats—perfect for fans who know the details.

Clean Sheet

Definition: Bet on a team to not concede any goals.

Example:

  • Bet: Manchester United to keep a clean sheet
  • Match ends 1-0 → You win
  • Match ends 1-1 → You lose
  • Works great when backing strong defenses vs. weaker attacks

Fouls

Definition: Bet on how many fouls a player or team will commit (or total in the match).

Examples:

  • Over 10.5 total fouls in the game
  • Casemiro to commit 3+ fouls
  • Team A to commit more fouls than Team B

Example:

  • Bet: Over 2.5 fouls by Gavi
  • If he commits 3+ fouls → You win
  • If he commits 2 or fewer → You lose

Offsides

Definition: Bet on how many offsides a team or player will have.

Examples:

  • Over 1.5 offsides for Liverpool
  • Haaland to be caught offside at least once
  • Team with the most offsides

Example:

  • Bet: Over 2.5 offsides for Arsenal
  • They get caught offside 3 times → You win

Shots

Definition: Bet on the number of shots (not necessarily on target) taken by a player or team.

Examples:

  • Son Heung-min to have 3+ shots
  • Real Madrid to take 10+ total shots
  • Player X to have most shots in the match

Example:

  • Bet: Vinicius Jr. to have 4+ shots
  • He takes 5 total shots → You win
  • Only takes 3 → You lose

Shots on Target

Definition: Bet on how many shots a player or team gets on target (goalkeeper saves or would have gone in).

Examples:

  • Mbappé to have 2+ shots on target
  • Over 4.5 shots on target for Barcelona
  • Salah to have the first shot on target

Example:

  • Bet: Kane to have 2+ shots on target
  • He has 2 shots that force saves → You win
  • He shoots 4 times but none are on target → You lose

Final Tip: Know Your Market

Not all bets are created equal. Some are simple, like match results or BTTS. Others are advanced, like Asian handicaps or combos. The key is to:

  • Start with the basics
  • Get familiar with the odds
  • Use your football knowledge to find value