How to Bet on Football: A Short Guide for the Fans

Betting on football is a fun opportunity for any fan to engage with the world’s most beautiful game. It allows you to test your knowledge of the many leagues while socializing with friends. But with such a huge volume of matches and markets, it’s not always easy to figure out how to bet in football.

So if you’re looking for help to clear up any confusion surrounding different betting types, our article will tell you everything you need to know about football betting and guide you towards the best value bet.

How football betting works

Football is one of the most popular sports in the world and among the top picks for most punters. Leading bookmakers offer a rich selection of betting options whether you’re interested in national teams playing in the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship or Europe’s top clubs vying for the title in the Champions League and the Europa League.

Domestic competitions like the English Premier League and Spain’s La Liga are also a big hit for some serious football betting. You can start by warming up your fingers with generous bonuses on popular sports betting platforms like 10Bet Casino.

Different betting types 

This comprehensive guide offers explanations of different betting types. In addition to betting odds, this is the first thing you need to understand if you want to bet on football.

Match bet 

The match bet is the simplest and most common form of football betting. Usually referred to as a 1X2 bet, it involves betting on the result of the match. There are three options to choose from. You can bet on the home team to win, the away team to win, or a draw.

If this seems like everything you need to know about how to bet on football and win, it’s important to remember that these match bets are paid out based on the result after 90 minutes. In other words, if the first two halves end as a draw, the winning bet is a draw, regardless of what happens in extra time or during a penalty shoot-out.

Double chance 

This is another popular betting type as it allows you to bet on two of the three possible outcomes in a single game. One of the reasons why bookies came up with this type of bet is because many football games end in a draw.

When learning how to bet online, beginners tend to choose this option because it increases their chances of winning and isn’t as risky as the match bet. Of course, that translates into lower odds. The three possible combinations include 1) a home team win or draw, 2) an away team win or draw, and 3) home or away win.

Handicap betting

This bet is used by bookies to even out the playing field by giving the stronger team a virtual deficit. Most betting sites, like Sportingbet Casino, make it easy to figure out how to place a bet on any given match. But when one team is much stronger than the other, the outcome is far too predictable, and betting on such a game would be dull. That’s where handicaps come in.

Bookmakers give each team a – or + before they start the match, which denotes their goal handicap. For example, if you come across Arsenal -1, and you bet on this team, you’ll win if the team wins by a two-goal margin or more. If they draw or lose, you’ll lose too. One of the most popular handicap versions is the Asian handicap.

Half-time/full-time betting 

You can also bet on the final result of the game or on the score at halftime. In most guides that explain football for beginners, this option probably wouldn’t be mentioned. That’s because this betting type is for more experienced football fans who have a much better idea of how the teams are going to perform throughout the game. For example, knowing if the top goalscorer isn’t part of the final line-up ahead of the game can make it easier to pick the winning bet.

Bet on an individual player

Betting sites allow you to bet on individual players, too. Some of the best sites that accept PayPal, for example, have dozens of top scorer markets across the world’s most important leagues. Moreover, these sites offer you bets on players with the highest number of assists and the tournament’s top scorer.

Betting on the goalscorer

For some bettors, the best way to bet on football is to bet on an individual player to score during the 90 minutes and injury time. Many bettors who choose this option play it safe by picking the best strikers on the field. Of course, these bets come with the shortest odds. The odds are significantly better if you bet on a midfielder to get on the scoresheet.

Over and under betting

This is another popular football gambling option that allows you to bet on the total number of times that an event will happen during the match. This can be anything from goals to yellow/red cards and corners. The betting host sets the baseline number, and you bet whether the event will occur more or fewer times.

Draw no bet 

There’s no technique that tells you how to win big on football bets, but some options aren’t as risky as others. Draw no bet allows you to bet on the outcome of the game, but if the result of the match is a draw, you’ll get your stake back. It’s a safe way to gamble. However, it means that the odds are lower compared to other markets.

In-play betting

This is popular among bettors that enjoy a dose of adrenaline. As its name suggests, in-play betting means betting on outcomes during the actual game. Online gambling hosts offer different markets, like betting on the next corner or which team will be the first to get a yellow card.

How to win at football betting?

Betting on football matches can be profitable, but there isn’t much in the way of guarantees. Sure, it’s not like playing bingo games where everything depends on luck, but unless you’re an experienced bettor with plenty of football knowledge, you risk losing money.

The key is to arm yourself with the necessary expertise on both the game and all the different betting markets. Avoid risky moves like betting with your gut and stick to safe strategies such as matched betting, which have paid out for experienced punters. Draw no bet is another good option if you don’t have much experience.

FAQ

What is the best way to bet on football?

Although it looks complicated, football betting is not hard to learn. Our football betting guide explains the most common betting types, including match bet, half-time/full-time betting, and more complicated techniques like handicap betting. The method you choose depends on your level of experience and knowledge about teams and individual players. If you are a less experienced bettor, avoid risky betting options.

What is the safest bet in soccer?

Although there’s no magic formula for winning a bet, some strategies are safer than others. Double chance betting is one of them. You can bet on two of three possible outcomes of the match, which increases your chance of winning. If you’re trying to figure out how to bet on football, our guide will help you identify the safest betting options.

How do you win soccer bets?

You can win a soccer bet by doing research on different betting markets and finding the best odds. Any knowledge about teams and players can also be a major advantage.