1×2 Betting Explained: How Win-Draw-Win Bets Work in Football
In the world of online sports betting, there is a lot of jargon and terminology that often confuses beginners and sometimes even experienced bettors alike. 1×2 betting is a perfect example of a term that sounds more complicated than it really is.
In practice, it is one of the simplest markets you’ll find. You’re simply choosing between three outcomes: a home win, a draw, or an away win. This guide breaks down how 1×2 betting works. You’ll learn which sports offer 1×2 markets, how to read the odds formats, and exactly how to place a 1×2 bet online.
1×2 betting pros and cons
- Easy to understand
- Widely available across many sports
- Offered for almost every football match
- Suitable for single bets and accumulators
- Often excludes extra time and penalties
- Not available for all sports
What does 1×2 mean in betting?
1×2 betting, also known as three-way betting, is a common betting market used to predict one of three possible outcomes in a sporting event. If you’ve ever placed a bet on football, ice hockey, handball, or any other sport where a draw is possible, you’ve almost certainly come across this market. It’s one of the most straightforward and widely available betting options out there.
The three symbols – 1, X, and 2 – represent the only possible outcomes of a match where a draw is allowed. Let’s break it down for you:
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home team wins | Manchester United win at Old Trafford |
| X | Draw | The match ends at a level scoreline, like 0-0, 1-1, 2-2, and so on. |
| 2 | Away team wins | Chelsea win away at Old Trafford |
In short, you bet on 1 if you think the home team will win, X if you expect a draw, and 2 if you believe the away team will win. It’s that simple.
Sports where 1×2 betting is available
Football (soccer) is, without a doubt, the most popular sport for 1×2 betting. That said, it’s far from the only one. In fact, the 1×2 market is widely used across many sports where a draw is a possible full-time result.
Here is a list of sports where this type of online sports betting is commonly available.
You’ll find 1×2 betting options for virtually every football match offered by online sportsbooks. It’s by far the most popular betting market among both new and experienced bettors. Many football bettors also combine it with prop bets, such as the first goal scorer bet, when building a parlay or accumulator.
Like football, 1×2 betting is extremely common in ice hockey. It’s usually available for every game, including major leagues like the NHL, international tournaments, and European leagues. Just keep in mind that a draw refers to the result at the end of regulation time, excluding overtime and shootouts.
Handball games are higher scoring than football and ice hockey, but draws at the end of regular time are still common enough to make 1×2 betting options widely available. The result is settled after 60 minutes of play, excluding extra time.
Chess is officially recognized as a sport in over 100 countries. At the elite level, between 50% and 70% of classical games end in draws, which makes chess particularly well-suited to 1×2 betting markets.
Gaelic football is widely regarded as Ireland’s most popular sport in terms of attendance, viewership, and national interest. As a result, 1×2 betting markets are very commonly offered by sportsbooks that cover this sport.
Combat sports such as boxing and MMA can sometimes end in a draw, so many sportsbooks offer 1×2 betting options. When available, the odds for a draw are typically very high.
Although draws are extremely rare due to the high-scoring nature of the game, many bookmakers still offer 1×2 betting markets for basketball. This is especially common for NBA games and major international or European competitions.
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1×2 betting odds formats
1×2 betting odds can be displayed in several formats at online sports betting platforms. The default format depends on your location and the sportsbook you use, but most online sportsbooks let you choose between American, decimal, and fractional odds. Here is a simple breakdown of how to read 1X2 odds in each format.
American odds
American odds, also called moneyline odds, show how much you need to risk or how much you can win based on a $100 bet. Odds with a minus sign (-) indicate the favorite and show how much you must bet to win $100. For example, -150 means you need to bet $150 to win $100. Odds with a plus sign (+) indicate the underdog and show how much you would win from a $100 bet. For example, +200 means you would win $200 on a $100 wager.
Decimal odds
Decimal odds are the standard format in Europe, Canada, and Australia. They show your total payout, including your original stake, for every $1 wagered.
For example, decimal odds of 2.50 mean you receive $2.50 in total for every $1 bet ($1.50 profit plus your $1 stake). This is one of the easiest 1×2 odds formats to read because you simply multiply your stake by the decimal odds to calculate your potential return.
Fractional odds
Fractional odds are most commonly used in the UK and Ireland. They are displayed as a fraction that represents your potential profit relative to your stake.
- The first number shows how much profit you can make.
- The second number shows how much you need to stake.
For example, odds of 5/1 mean you win $5 for every $1 you bet. This is often seen for draw outcomes or underdogs in 1×2 betting. Odds of 1/2 mean you must bet $2 to win $1, which typically indicates a strong favorite.
How to place a 1×2 bet
Placing a 1×2 bet is very quick and easy. Follow these steps to get started:
- Choose a trusted sportsbook: Check the banners on this page to find reputable sportsbooks available in your region.
- Sign up for an account: Create an account with your chosen sportsbook. If you sign up through a promo link in the banners on this page, you may qualify for a welcome bonus.
- Make a deposit: To place a 1×2 bet, you’ll need to fund your account. Most sportsbooks accept debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets, though available methods may vary by location.
- Browse the sports: Once your account is funded, navigate to the sport you want to bet on.
- Select the match: Open the match you’re interested in. The 1×2 market is usually displayed as the main betting option.
- Choose your outcome: Click 1, X, or 2, depending on the result you think will occur.
- Enter your stake: Add your selection to the bet slip and enter the amount you want to wager. The sportsbook will automatically display your potential payout based on the odds.
- Confirm your bet: Review your selection and stake, then place your bet.
That’s it. You can now wait for the bet to settle or cash out early if the sportsbook offers that option. Just remember that 1×2 bets are typically settled after regulation time only, excluding extra time, overtime, penalties, or shootouts.
Final thoughts on 1×2 betting – a good beginner bet option
1×2 betting might sound technical at first, but once you strip away the jargon, it’s one of the easiest betting markets to understand. You’re simply predicting whether the home team wins, the match ends in a draw, or the away team wins.
It’s especially common in football, but it also appears across a wide range of other sports where a draw is a possible outcome, from ice hockey and handball to basketball and even chess. That wide availability, combined with its simple structure, makes 1×2 betting suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced bettors.
Now that you know how 1×2 betting works, how to read the odds, and how to place a bet, you’re ready to put that knowledge into action. Click the banners on this page to visit one of our recommended sportsbooks, and you’ll be able to sign up and start placing your first 1×2 bets in minutes.
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1×2 betting FAQ
🏅 How does 1×2 betting work?
Unlike prop markets, like a clean sheet in betting, a 1×2 focuses purely on the final result. You choose between three possible outcomes: a home win, a draw, or an away win. The number 1 represents the home team winning, X represents a draw, and 2 represents the away team winning. It is one of the simplest and most widely used betting options.
⏱️ Does 1×2 betting include extra time or penalties?
In most cases, 1×2 bets are settled based on the result at the end of regulation time only. This means extra time, overtime, penalties, or shootouts are not included unless the sportsbook explicitly states otherwise. For example, in football, only the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time is what counts.
🌟 Is 1×2 betting good for beginners?
Yes, 1×2 betting is widely considered one of the best markets for beginners. The structure is simple, with only three possible outcomes to choose from. Once you’re familiar with single 1×2 wagers, you can explore multi bets like a Yankee bet, which are more advanced.
🏆 Which sports offer 1×2 betting markets?
This market is only used in sports where a draw is possible. It is most commonly associated with football and is often combined with other football markets, such as top goal scorer bets. However, it is also available in several other sports, including ice hockey, handball, basketball, chess, Gaelic football, and combat sports.