BTTS Meaning in Betting: Both Teams to Score Explained Simply
Football betting can be full of unfamiliar terms. One that often appears is “BTTS”, but what does it actually mean?
This guide takes you through the simple meaning behind BTTS, breaking things down so they’re easy to understand. By looking at clear examples, you can see how this type of market might work in practice.
You’ll also find straightforward details on how BTTS bets work, the outcomes they cover, and points to consider. If you want to better understand this market, keep reading for a simple explanation.
What Does BTTS Mean in Football Betting?
BTTS is short for “Both Teams to Score.” This is a simple football market found on many UK betting sites. In this market, the focus is whether you think both teams in a match will each score at least one goal during normal time.
For example, if Team A plays Team B, a BTTS bet wins if both sides score, no matter who wins the match or what the final score is. The only thing that matters is whether both teams have put the ball in the net at least once.
A typical BTTS option lets you choose between “Yes” (both teams will score) or “No” (one or both fail to score). You may see this written as “BTTS Yes” and “BTTS No” by some bookmakers.
Market names and small print can vary slightly, so it can help to check how your chosen site settles BTTS before confirming a bet.
How Does a BTTS Bet Work?
A BTTS bet looks only at whether each team scores at least one goal within the standard 90 minutes, plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalty shootouts are not included.
On most sites the market appears with two options. “Yes” means both teams need to score. “No” means at least one team must fail to score. If you select “Yes” and the game finishes 1-1, 2-1, or 3-4, the bet pays out because both sides scored. If the match ends 1-0 or 0-0, “Yes” does not pay out.
Some bookmakers may also offer variants like BTTS in both halves, or in a specific half. If those appear, the same idea applies, but only within the time period stated in the market rules.
Different Types of BTTS Markets
There are several ways BTTS can appear in football betting markets. Understanding the differences can help you recognise what is being offered before you confirm a selection. Below are some common BTTS variations you might see with UK bookmakers.
BTTS and Win
This market combines “Both Teams to Score” with choosing which team you think will win the match. For example, “BTTS and Home Win” needs both sides to score at least once, and the home team to finish with a higher score. A 2-1 home victory would meet both parts.
BTTS in the First or Second Half
Here, the bet is tied to a specific half. “BTTS in First Half” means both teams must score before half-time. For “BTTS in Second Half”, each side must score after the break. If only one team scores during the chosen half, the bet does not pay out, regardless of the full-time result.
BTTS in Accumulator Bets
An accumulator (acca) combines several selections into one bet. When adding BTTS picks from multiple matches, every individual BTTS leg needs to be settled as a winner for the overall accumulator to return a payout. If one leg fails, the whole accumulator does not pay. If a leg is voided, many bookmakers reduce the acca by one selection, but policies can differ, so it can be worth checking the site’s terms.
As you weigh up these variants, it can be useful to think about how team styles or line-ups might affect the chance of both sides scoring, since those factors carry across the versions of BTTS above.
How to Read BTTS Odds
BTTS odds show the potential return if you place a bet on both teams to score. In the UK, odds are often written as fractions, such as 4/5 or 6/4.
The first number shows the potential profit relative to your stake. For instance, at 4/5, a £5 stake could return £4 profit, plus your £5 stake, totalling £9.
At 6/4, a £5 stake could return £7.50 profit, plus your £5 stake, totalling £12.50.
Shorter odds like 1/3 tend to suggest bookmakers see the outcome as more likely, while longer odds such as 5/2 suggest it is less likely.
Odds can differ between bookmakers for the same fixture, so you may want to check before placing any bets.
Common BTTS Rules Across Bookmakers
Bookmakers follow official rules and licensing standards, though certain details can vary by site. Reading the specific market rules on your chosen platform can help you avoid any confusion if a match has unusual events or timing issues.
Here are some common BTTS rules you may come across:
- BTTS bets usually only count goals scored in the main 90 minutes of play, not in extra time or during penalty shootouts.
- Own goals count towards the team’s total for BTTS purposes.
- If a match is abandoned or postponed and not completed, bets are usually made void and stakes returned, although exact policies can differ.
- Settlement times can vary by platform, so you may want to check.
If your BTTS selection is part of an accumulator or a combination bet, the site’s acca rules will decide what happens in cases such as postponements or voided legs.
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