What Does 1×2 Mean in Football Betting? Explained Simply
Football betting uses a few terms that can feel unfamiliar at first. One you might see is 1×2. It usually appears on match coupons and online markets across the UK, but what does it actually cover?
Put simply, 1×2 is the standard way to bet on the result of a football match in normal time. Once you understand it, reading a bet slip or comparing prices may become much easier.
Below, you will find clear explanations and examples, so you can follow how 1×2 works without any jargon.
How Does 1×2 Betting Work in Practice?
In 1×2 betting, you try to predict one of three possible outcomes after 90 minutes, including any added time for stoppages. Extra time and penalties are not included.
- 1 means a home team win
- X means a draw
- 2 means an away team win
For example, if Manchester United are at home to Liverpool and you choose 1, you are backing Manchester United to be ahead at the final whistle. If you pick X, you are betting on a draw. If you choose 2, your selection is Liverpool to win.
The odds shown next to each option indicate the potential return if your selection is correct, based on your stake. You will see this format offered widely for league matches, cups, and international fixtures. It is a straightforward market, which is partly why it is so popular.
What Do 1, X, and 2 Represent in Football Betting?
The numbers and letter in 1×2 always refer to the match status as listed by the bookmaker.
- 1 is the team designated as the home side on the coupon. In domestic leagues this is the host club. In neutral-venue fixtures, a team can still be listed as the home side for administrative reasons, and 1 applies to that side.
- X is the draw after normal time. Any scoreline where both teams finish level, such as 0-0, 1-1, or 2-2, settles as X.
- 2 is the away side on the coupon. As with 1, this refers to whoever is listed as the visiting team for that match market.
These meanings are consistent, even when competitions may introduce two legs or neutral venues. For a second leg, 1 and 2 still refer only to the home and away teams in that particular match, not the tie overall. That distinction becomes important when you look at how the odds are set.
How Are Odds Calculated in 1×2 Bets?
Odds in a 1×2 market reflect how likely each result is considered to be, based on available information. Traders weigh factors such as team form, injuries, suspensions, schedule congestion, head-to-head records, and whether the match is at home or away. If a strong side hosts a struggling team, prices on 1 are usually shorter, while 2 tends to be longer.
Prices may be shown as fractions (for example 4/1) or decimals (for example 5.0). Both express the same thing in different formats. A £10 bet at 2/1 would return £30 in total if it wins, which is £20 profit plus your £10 stake. Decimal 3.0 represents the same potential return.
Behind the scenes, each price carries an implied probability. Bookmakers also build a margin, sometimes called the overround, into the book so that the combined probabilities exceed 100%. This is why prices can vary slightly between sites and why odds can move as team news emerges, or trading positions change.
Can 1×2 Betting Include Draws and Extra Time Results?
Yes, a draw is always one of the three possible outcomes in a 1×2 market, and it refers to the score at the end of the 90 minutes, plus added time. If a cup tie goes to extra time or penalties, a 1×2 bet is still settled on the score at the end of normal time only.
This also applies to two-legged ties. The 1×2 bet for the second leg is settled on that match after 90 minutes, not on the aggregate or who goes through. If you want a market that covers extra time or the shootout, look for options like to qualify or to lift the trophy, which are separate from the 1×2 result.
With that scope clear, a quick example can help tie it together.
Examples of 1×2 Bets on Premier League Matches
To make this concrete, imagine a Premier League fixture with Tottenham Hotspur at home to Newcastle United. In a 1×2 market, you have three choices for the 90-minute result:
- 1 for Tottenham Hotspur
- X for a draw
- 2 for Newcastle United
If the match finishes 2-2, X is the winning selection. If Tottenham win 3-1, 1 settles as the winner. This simple structure is the same across the board, whether you are looking at league fixtures, cup matches, or international games.
When you are ready to compare real prices, it may help to have a place where you can browse markets quickly and clearly.
Bet on Football Online
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