URL: /world-soccer-101/soccer-betting-basics
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logo soccer betting basics

Some bets are unique to soccer.
Let’s take a quick look at how they work.

3-Way Moneyline (or WDW)

A 3-Way Moneyline consists of three options:

1. W (Win) - Home team wins

2. D (Draw) - Match ends in a tie

3. W (Win) - Away team wins

This is the standard "pick the outcome" bet that
most people are familiar with in soccer betting.

Double Chance

A Double Chance bet covers two of the three possible outcomes in one bet:

Home Win or Draw

Away Win or Draw

Home Win or Away Win

Please note, you’ll win once if either outcome happens. You will not be paid twice.

Tie No Bet

When you bet on this market, you're choosing either the home team or the away team.

There's no third option because:

If your team wins: You win the bet
If the match ties: Your stake is refunded (that's the "no bet" part)
If your team loses: Your bet doesn’t win

So, if there's a tie/draw, your stake is automatically refunded.
You don't need to select "draw" as an option because the market essentially removes the draw as a result.

Total Goal Bands

With Total Goal Bands, you can bet on a specific range of total goals scored in a match (e.g., 2–4 goals, 1-6 goals, 1-3 goals, etc.) rather than an exact number.

You win if the total goals fall within the chosen bracket.

2-Way Spread

It's called a "2-way" spread because it eliminates the draw option, leaving only two possible outcomes.

In this bet, one team is given a virtual head start or deficit (the "spread"), and you bet on which team will "win" after applying that handicap.

Common Spreads:

-1.5 (team must win by 2+ goals)
+1.5 (team can lose by 1 goal and you still win)
-0.5 (team must win outright)
+0.5 (team can draw or win)

Example: USA vs Paraguay with -1.5 spread on USA

USA wins by 2+ goals = USA bet wins
Paraguay loses by 1 goal, Wins outright or
Ties = Paraguay bet wins

Player to Have X+ Tackles

A tackle is defined when a player connects with the ball in a legal, ground level challenge and successfully takes the ball away from the opposition player. The tackled player must be in controlled possession of the ball to be tackled by an opposition player.

A Tackle Won is deemed to be when the tackler or one of their teammates regains possession because of the challenge, or that the ball goes out of play and is safe.

HOW SOCCER IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SPORTS

Now that you know the basics, let’s take a look at some of the ways betting on soccer can be different than betting on other sports.

Many of the same bets you enjoy placing in other sports are also available in soccer…just under a different name.

NFL/NBA Term World Cup/Soccer Team
Moneyline 3-Way Moneyline/Win-Draw-Win
Spread 2-Way Spread
Total Over/Under Goals
Anytime TD Scorer Anytime Goalscorer
First TD Scorer First Goalscorer
Overtime Extra Time
Championship Outright Winner / To Lift Trophy

Live Betting

The clock doesn’t stop during each half, giving live betting on soccer a different rhythm.

With fewer stoppages than football or basketball, there are fewer in-game betting segments.

The continuous action means momentum can shift quickly, creating exciting betting opportunities, some of which can be found on the games' Quick Bets tab.

Since goals are more rare, the odds can also shift more rapidly than in other sports.

Red cards, which mean a player has been ejected, can also completely change the match at a moment's notice.

Non-Starters Don’t Void Bets

If a player does not start, your bet is only void if they are not in the squad (aka the starting line up or a sub) or do not play in the game at all.

This is unlike in baseball, where your bet would automatically be voided if a player is not in the starting lineup.

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