Different players prefer different betting types, with some focusing on the same specific option every time, while others may like to mix it up and use a few different styles of betting.
Understanding them all enables you to add strings to your bow, which could lead to added profit with your football betting, and or wagering on other sports. Focusing on types of football bets but also providing information that extends to other sports, we’re here to guide if you are a beginner, or looking for information about certain betting types.
We’re going to run you through all of the different types of bets you will encounter with online bookmakers in your location, ranging from basic options to speciality bets.
What Are Betting Types?
Betting types in football relates to both the type of bet you place, and the selections you have included.
For example, types of bets include both 1X2, which is a market, and accumulators which is referring to the selections you have included in your bet. You aren’t restricted to specific types of bets either, and you have the freedom to mix it up and place single bets, accumulators, outrights, and much more.
In your accumulator bet, you are even able to include many different selections from different markets. For instance, you could include a 1X2 selection, a BTTS selection, an over/under selection, and more alternative options on top of that.
Check the best football betting sites for your preferred bet type today!
The Most Common Types of Football Bets
With football betting, there are so many different types of bets available. From predicting match winners to the amount of goals scored and even the correct score, there are lots of options available to you when betting on the sport.
Check out the most popular types of football bets below and decide which options you like most when placing your next bet with our recommended bookmakers.
1X2 (Match Result) Bets
The most common type of football bet is undoubtedly on the 1X2 market, sometimes referred to as match result too.
For this market, you have the option to bet on the home win (1), the draw (X), and finally the away win (2).
When watching a football match, the first instinct is for people to make predictions on how the game will go, whether that be either side to win, or if you think it will be a draw. This therefore demonstrates why this market has such popularity in football betting, because it is the most common way people enjoy predicting football games.
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Bet on your favourite team to win | Unpredictability |
| Huge value with underdogs or draw bets | Hard to find value sometimes |
| Available with every bookmaker |
Over/Under Bets
Over/under bets are another extremely popular option for football bettors, with players attempting to gauge how many goals will be scored in each game.
The standard line set for over/under bets is usually at over/under 2.5 goals. But, especially for top leagues and competitions, online bookmakers will offer you a range of lines, starting from 0.5 and potentially up to 6.5 or more.
If you are somebody that looks into trends and goals scored in matches, then the over/under market is the perfect type of bet for you. You can analyse how frequently teams have achieved the over line, or regularly fall in the under category as they prioritise defensive structure in their performances.
More often than not, people choose to bet on over because of the excitement of seeing goals in a game combined with winning a bet is enjoyable. However, the under market is not to be ignored, with lots of value available, even if it is a little bit more boring.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
Both Teams to Score (BTTS) betting involves deciding whether you think “yes” both teams will score at least one goal in the match or “no” that only one team or neither will score.
The odds for this market will usually sit around neutral, depending on the trends for teams building up to the game. In the Premier League, you may find the odds are a little lower than other leagues because it sees lots of BTTS in the games played. Even the teams lower in the Premier League have excellent players and the ability to score at least one goal.
The typical way for this market to be consumed is by betting on “yes” for both teams to score in the match. The reason for this is there is more enjoyment in seeing goals scored than watching and needing either no goals to be scored, or just one team to score throughout the game.
However, when the best teams play minnows in cup competitions or even within their own league, it can be much more beneficial to bet on “no” for BTTS.
Handicap Betting (Asian and European)
Handicap betting offers you the chance to level the playing field when betting on football, and is a popular type of bet when heavy favourites meet a team a lot lower in the table or potentially even in a lower division in a cup competition.
When you are betting on the favourite, they start off with a deficit of -1, -2, or maybe even more. If you choose -2 for example, your team needs to win by three clear goals in a scoreline of 3-0, 4-1 or similar for the bet to win.
On the other hand, a +1, +2 or alternative handicap is best for underdogs, and gives them a head start. For example, a +1 handicap means your chosen team needs to either draw the match or win for your bet to be a winner.
European Handicap is always whole numbers, whilst Asian Handicap includes betting on -1.25, -1.5, and -1.75 for example. The big difference here is with Asian Handicap betting, you can receive a portion or your full stake back even if your bet doesn’t win. It can become confusing though, and you can read the meaning of handicap and key information about the market on our dedicated page.
The odds for handicap betting are much more appealing than betting on a heavy favourite who may have odds of 0.25 (1/4) or something similar.
Balance the games in your favourite leagues and competitions with handicap betting today.
Correct Score & First Goalscorer
You have several options in the goalscorer market with football betting, starting with anytime goalscorer which means the player must score at any time in the match.
On top of that, you can bet on the first goalscorer in the match, which typically has higher odds, or a player to score 2+ goals, and a hat-trick, which have similarly high odds.
With injuries always possible and the unpredictability of goalscorer betting as teams vary their tactics, it’s usually best to use smaller stakes for these markets.
Types of Multiple Bets
Multiple bets, also known as multiples, are a popular way to wager by combining several individual selections into a single bet. This approach allows you to chase much higher returns than you would get from single bets, as the odds of each selection are multiplied together.
But it does come with a higher level of risk though, because every single one of your chosen selections must be correct for the bet to win.
Accumulators (Accas)
An accumulator, often shortened to “acca,” is the most common type of multiple bet and is frequently used by many bettors around the world. This type of bet involves four or more selections from different events into one wager, and for the bet to be successful, every single selection within the accumulator must win. If just one leg fails, the entire bet is lost.
The potential payout for acca bets is calculated by multiplying the odds of each individual selection together, which can lead to substantial returns from a small stake, even if it is a combination of mostly favourite picks.
For example, you could place a four-fold accumulator on the weekend’s Premier League matches:
- Manchester United to win
- Liverpool to win
- Arsenal to win
- Chelsea to win
If all four teams win their respective games, your bet is a winner. However, if any of those teams draw or lose, your accumulator bet will be a loss.
| pros ✅ | cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Huge returns from a small stake | High risk – one losing selection is a losing bet |
| Excitement of following multiple matches | Low probability |
| Available with every bookmaker | Difficult to win consistently |
System Bets (Yankee, Trixie, Lucky 15)
System bets offer a different approach to multiple betting, providing a safety net that accumulators do not. Instead of needing every selection to win, a system bet is made up of multiple smaller bets that cover various combinations of your chosen outcomes. This means you can still get a return even if one or more of your selections lose. Popular system bets include the Trixie (3 selections, 4 bets), Yankee (4 selections, 11 bets), and Lucky 15 (4 selections, 15 bets).
For example, a Trixie involves placing four bets on three selections: three doubles and one treble. If you pick three teams to win, you are betting on all possible double combinations and the one treble. If only two of your three teams win, one of your double bets will still be successful, ensuring you receive a payout. This structure reduces the all-or-nothing risk of a standard accumulator.
The main difference with system bets is your stake will increase to cover the amount of bets you are placing within one bet. So, although you can lose with certain selections and still win, your stake overall will be higher than an accumulator bet for example.
Special and Live Betting Types
Beyond the standard pre-match markets, many bettors enjoy in-play and novelty betting. This can include wagering on goalscorers, player props like shots on target or yellow cards, and even the relatively new bet builder feature which is extremely popular.
Check out some special bet types you will now find with many football betting sites.
In-Play (Live) Betting
Live betting can provide some excellent opportunities, and gives you the chance to analyse the game state. 1X2 betting can prove to be more valuable in-play if a favourite unexpectedly falls behind, or they find themselves level with a short time to play.
The timing is so important with live betting, because that team who is favourite could quickly score before you have even had the chance to add the selection to your betslip. Similarly, the odds will fluctuate around a lot with in-play betting, whereas with pre-match betting the odds will rarely change.
If you want to bet fast and react to in-game developments, then in-play betting might be the best option for you.
Outright & Futures Bets
Outright betting is more of a long-term play, and focuses on season or tournament results as opposed to game-by-game bets. For example, an outright bet could be on France to win the World Cup, or Kylian Mbappe to be top goalscorer of the tournament.
There are many different options at play with online bookmakers for outright bets, and they can be made before the league or tournament has started, or be placed during. The odds will fluctuate more frequently for outright bets during the events due to so many factors being involved instead of just a single game.
Check out the latest outright bets for your favourite leagues or competitions with our recommended football betting sites.
Prop Bets (Player or Team Specials)
With many bookmakers you now have an extensive list of options for prop bets, which can be for specific players or teams.
Shots on target, yellow cards, fouls committed, and even offsides in some places, there are more prop bets available now for football than ever.
These can be placed as single bets, accumulators, or you even have the option to include them in Bet Builders with the majority of betting sites.
Bet Builders
Bet Builders can provide amazing value, and allow you to combine multiple selections in one game.
Depending on the bookmaker you have chosen and the event you are betting on, you will be able to include player props, corners, cards, goals, and much more for one single game. And making all these combinations can lead to very high odds, although the probability is undoubtedly a lot lower.
With a small bankroll and betting being fun, Bet Builders can be an excellent choice, especially if you are planning to watch the game on TV or live stream it, with this same-game option making the action more engaging.
For more information on this type of bet, you can find out all about Bet Builders through our article.
How to Decide Which Bet Type Suits You
The type of bets which suit you depend on lots of factors, including how good your understanding is of that type of bet, your bankroll, and much more. Understanding all the different types of bets we reference in this article allows you to take advantage in future when you see a valuable betting opportunity.
Most importantly of all, it’s crucial that the betting is fun whilst still maximising the value you can get from the types of bets you are choosing.
Compare football betting sites providing these types of bets when you sign up with our recommended betting offers.
