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Most sports investors lose money because they pay too much vigorish (also known as juice) on most of their wagers. Using the 1×2 option instead of standard moneylines in football can save gamblers lots of units in vigorish throughout a season. This will result in a higher ROI and a healthier bottom line, which is the main goal of any serious sports bettor.
This 1×2 betting guide provides an in-depth explanation of the football wager, its pros and cons, and effective strategies to enhance your betting experience. Keep reading to learn in detail and maximize your chances of success this season.
| Team | 1 x 2 Odds | Standard Moneyline |
|---|---|---|
| Malta | 175 | -125 |
| Lithuania | 190 | -105 |
| Finland | 900 | 700 |
| Netherlands | -333 | -1205 |
| Austria | -250 | -800 |
| Romania | 700 | 500 |
| Albania | 230 | 138 |
| Serbia | 125 | -188 |
Credit: Odds from 888 Sport
- Using the 1×2 instead of the standard moneyline in football can save lots of vigorish.
- The 1×2 option takes three outcomes into account instead of just two.
- The 1×2 can reduce a bettor’s risk if used on large football favorites.
- Knowing the likelihood of a draw is incredibly helpful when betting the 1×2 in football.
What is the 1×2 Betting Market in Football?
If you’re new to betting on football, you may not be familiar with the 1×2 option. Thankfully, it sounds a whole lot more complicated than it is. Whereas standard football moneylines (also known as the Draw No Bet) involve simply picking who will win the match, the 1×2 brings the draw outcome into play.
For example, a standard moneyline in the UEFA Champions League may have PSG as a -188 favorite over Inter Milan +140. That means if you want to bet on PSG, you’d have to risk 1.88 units to win back 1 unit. Only two outcomes are involved, and the layout may look something like this:
Credit: 888Sport
By contrast, the 1×2 option will list the home team first (PSG), a price for the draw in the middle (X), and a price for the visiting team (Inter Milan) last. In this case, you like PSG, you’d risk 1 unit to win back 1.15 units. Here’s what the betting odds should look like at the sportsbook of your choice with all three outcomes in play:
Credit: 888Sport
The 1×2 option is most commonly associated with football, but it’s also available in other sports like hockey, handball, and tennis.
Pros and Cons of Using the 1×2 Option in Football
If you’ve been wagering on sports for any length of time, you know that each type of bet has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. This handy table of pros and cons of 1×2 betting can help you decide if it’s right for you and your sports betting bankroll.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
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Best 1×2 Betting Strategies
If you’re ready to give 1×2 football betting a shot, we’ve compiled three of the best betting strategies to use when going that route. You don’t have to utilize all of these, but each one can help you win more football bets over time.
Employ 1x2 to Get Better Odds on Large Favorites
If you’re looking to reduce vigorish on your football bets, this is one of our best pieces of advice. Take the 1×2 on the large favorite you want to bet on instead of the standard (No Draw Bet) moneyline. Sure, you run the risk of a draw happening, but you’ll save tons of vigorish over the long haul.
In our above example with a large favorite like PSG, the 1×2 takes the price from -188 down to +115. That’s a savings of 0.88 units of risk on one bet, which is not exactly ‘chump change’. Just imagine how much risk this strategy could save you throughout a full season.
Consider Hedging Options When Playing Sizable Underdogs
Here’s another strategy that has paid dividends for me when betting on football. If I like a big underdog to pull off a big upset, I’ll split my wager between the draw (X) and the underdog. Let’s once again use the example of the PSG vs. Inter Milan match from above. If we like Inter Milan to win that match, we’ll place a 0.75-unit wager on the draw (X) and a 0.25-unit bet on the underdog (2). By using this strategy, we can still turn a nice profit if the match goes past regular time and Inter Milan loses.
Calculate How Often Draws Occur for Each Team
When betting the 1×2 option, always be aware of how many draws each squad has had for the season. You can find this information on any site that has football statistics. Some teams, even overmatched underdogs, can develop a habit of hanging tough against higher-ranked squads.
Let’s use the English Premier League matchup of Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace as an example. Crystal Palace has 11 draws in 36 matches this season, which is a draw rate of 30.55%.
On the other hand, Liverpool has not had many draws this year. Only four of their 37 matches have ended in draws, which is only a draw rate of 10.81%. Some quick and easy math tells us that the two teams have a combined chance of 20.55% (15 total draws divided by 73 total matches) to play to a draw.
Therefore, if we can find +400 or better odds on the Draw, it’s worth at least a small wager because the +400 price implies a winning percentage of 20%. Small mathematical edges like this one are how you build up a bankroll in sports betting over time.
Gambling, whether on sports or other forms, always carries a certain amount of risk. Managing risk is always a key part of any responsible gaming strategy. The best way to manage risk is to set aside a bankroll (a certain amount of money that will not affect your current lifestyle in any way) and never bet more than 1% of it on any given wager.
Remember, in sports betting or any other type of gambling, there is no such thing as a “lock”. Smart wagers can and will often implode because of an unlucky bounce of the ball. By betting only a small percentage of your bankroll, you can ride out the losing streaks until things turn around.
More importantly, if you’re concerned about your or a loved one’s gambling habits, reach out to GambleAware. This organization provides tools to folks who are struggling with gambling addiction or problem gambling habits.
FAQs
Why Does the 1×2 in Football Offer Better Odds than the Standard Moneyline?
The 1×2 betting option provides more attractive odds to bettors because it takes three outcomes into account instead of just two. The main difference is that the draw option is included in the 1×2 but not in standard moneylines.
How Do the Sportsbooks Generate 1×2 Lines for Football Matches?
Online sportsbooks use highly sophisticated computer algorithms to determine what the odds should be for the 1×2 betting option. A statistical probability is given to the 1 (Home Team), the X (Draw), and the 2 (Away Team). Sportsbooks will then adjust the line according to the amount of money that comes in on each outcome.
Can I Bet On the 1×2 in the First Half of a Match?
Absolutely! Most sportsbooks offer the 1×2 option for the first half of football matches. This type of wager comes in handy if you like a team that usually comes out of the gate strong but that tends to fade in the second half due to a lack of overall team depth.
What Sportsbooks Have the Best 1×2 Odds?
This is a difficult question to answer because odds are always changing rapidly, especially on the day of the match. It’s important to always shop around at all of the best sports betting sites for the best price before placing your bets.
Do Sportsbooks Offer Live 1×2 Odds in Football?
Yes, live betting or in-play betting has gotten more popular over the last few years, so most online sportsbooks offer the 1×2 option in football for folks who like to bet live instead of before the match.
Can I Cash Out a 1×2 bet Before the Match Ends?
This one all depends on the sportsbook that you placed the 1×2 wager at. Some betting sites offer a cash-out option for any type of bet, but others only offer it on certain types of wagers. Read the house rules at all of the sportsbooks you do business with to find out.
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