1×2 Betting

How does 1×2 betting work?

1×2 betting is a straightforward way to bet on the outcome of a match. The three options represent the possible results at full-time:

– 1: You bet on the home team to win.
– X: You bet on the match to end in a draw.
– 2: You bet on the away team to win.

To illustrate, imagine betting on a football match between Manchester United (the home team) and Liverpool (the away team) with the following odds:

– Manchester United (1): 2.50
– Draw (X): 3.20
– Liverpool (2): 2.80

If you bet on Manchester United (1) and they win the match, you’ll get a payout based on the odds of 2.50. If you bet on a draw (X) and the game ends level, you win. Likewise, if you bet on Liverpool (2) and they are victorious, your bet is successful.

The odds reflect the bookmaker’s view of how likely each outcome is. Lower odds (e.g., 2.50 for a Manchester United win) mean that outcome is considered more likely to happen, but the potential payout will be smaller. Higher odds (e.g., 3.20 for a draw) suggest the outcome is less likely, but the potential payout is larger.

1X2 betting is a popular type of bet because it’s simple and straightforward. You just need to predict the outcome of the match, and you can bet on one of three possible results.

Formats of betting odds

In 1×2 betting, the format of the odds is a key part of how you understand your potential payout and the probability of an outcome. Here are the common formats:

Decimal odds
This format is widely used in Europe, Australia, and many parts of Africa. It shows the total amount you get back for every €1 you bet, which includes your original stake. For example, odds of 2.50 mean that for every €1 you stake, your total return is €2.50. This is made up of a €1.50 profit plus your original €1 stake.

Fractional odds
Traditionally in the UK and Ireland, this format is shown as a fraction, such as 5/1. This means you’ll win €5 in profit for every €1 you bet.

American (moneyline) odds
This format is common in the U.S. and indicates how much you would win on a €100 bet (for positive numbers) or how much you need to bet to win €100 (for negative numbers). For example, +200 means you win €200 on a €100 bet, while -150 means you must bet €150 to win €100. It is less common in the global football 1×2 market but is still worth knowing.

Understanding implied probability
All odds formats can be converted into implied probabilities, which is the bookmaker’s estimation of how likely each outcome is to happen. This is essential for finding “value bets” and for building a good betting strategy. For example:

– Decimal odds of 2.50 imply a 40% chance (1 ÷ 2.50 = 0.40).
– Fractional odds of 5/1 imply about a 16.7% chance (1 ÷ (5 + 1) = ~0.167).

Understanding this helps bettors compare their own assessment of a match with the bookmaker’s view. This is how they can spot potential opportunities where the odds might be mispriced.

Why 1×2 betting matters

1×2 betting is arguably the most universal and simple way to bet on football. Its straightforward nature, offering just three results (home win, draw, away win) makes it easy for everyone to understand.

A staple in football betting
This format is the main market offered by almost every bookmaker, making it a constant across all leagues and competitions worldwide. Its popularity ensures that odds are always available and up-to-date, and it can be easily included in accumulator bets.

The foundation for more complex bets
Because it’s so simple, 1×2 selections are often used as building blocks in accumulators, which combine several bets into one for a higher payout.

Beyond its accessibility, the odds in the 1×2 market show what the bookmaker thinks is most likely to happen in a match. Experienced bettors can compare these odds with their own predictions to find potential value or outcomes that might be priced incorrectly.

Finally, while the 1×2 market is most common in football, its use in other sports like ice hockey, rugby, and cricket further highlights its importance in the world of sports betting.

 Advanced betting options & related markets

There are several other markets that offer bettors more options and ways to manage risk beyond the classic 1×2 setup.

Double chance

This market allows you to bet on two of the three possible outcomes of a match with a single bet. The options are:

– 1X: The home team wins or the match is a draw.
– X2: The away team wins or the match is a draw.
– 12: The home team wins or the away team wins (i.e., no draw).

Double chance increases your chances of winning because you are covering two outcomes, but it comes with lower odds compared to a standard 1×2 bet. This market is especially useful in close matches or when you want to back an underdog to avoid a loss.

Asian handicap

This market removes the possibility of a draw by giving one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage before the match begins, effectively turning it into a two-way bet.

For example, a handicap of -1.0 means the favourite team must win by more than one goal. A handicap of +0.5 means the underdog team starts with a half-goal advantage.

There are various handicap formats, including full goals, half goals, or quarter goals, all with unique payout rules. These bets can balance the playing field and often provide better odds on matches where one team is much stronger than the other.

Draw no bet (DNB)

With this market, you bet on a team to win, but if the match ends in a draw, your money is returned to you. This reduces your risk compared to a full 1×2 bet, as a draw will not result in a loss. Because of this, the odds are typically lower than both the 1×2 and double chance markets.

Strategies & considerations

When it comes to making smarter 1×2 bets, it’s all about finding an edge, that is, betting when you think the odds are better than they should be. Here are some key strategies and things to consider.

Identifying value & using implied probability

To make smarter 1×2 bets, you should look for places where the bookmaker’s implied probability is lower than your own estimate of how likely an event is. These are called value bets. For example, decimal odds of 2.50 suggest a 40% chance (1 ÷ 2.50 = 0.40). If your research shows the team has a 50% chance of winning, that bet offers value.

Sportmonks has a Value Bet model that does this automatically. It analyses historical odds and market trends to find where bookmakers may be underpricing an outcome.

Leveraging predictive analytics via Sportmonks

Sportmonks offers a Predictions API that provides probabilities for match outcomes and flags potential value bets up to 21 days before kick-off. These are calculated using machine learning and are constantly updated with new data. You can also use the API to check the accuracy of past predictions to build confidence in your betting strategy.

Stake & bankroll management techniques

Consistent bankroll management is key to long-term success.

– Flat stakes: This is the simplest and most controlled method, where you bet the same amount every time.
– Fibonacci / Martingale systems: These are more aggressive. The Fibonacci system increases your bet after a loss using the Fibonacci sequence, while the Martingale system doubles your stake after a loss. You should be very careful with these, as they carry high risk.
– Kelly criterion: A more mathematical approach, this method recommends betting a fraction of your bankroll that is proportional to your edge in the bet. For example, if you have a 60% chance of winning and the odds are even, the formula would recommend betting 20% of your total funds.

Research-driven analysis

Base your predictions on solid data. Things like recent team performance, head-to-head records, home vs. away form, and injuries/suspensions all affect 1×2 outcomes. AI services and tipsters also track long-term trends, which can show, for example, that betting on home wins might be profitable over a season, while betting on away wins might result in a loss.

Combining Sportmonks data with practical strategy

By combining Sportmonks analytics with traditional betting strategies, you can improve your chances of success. You can use the Predictions API to find value bets and then confirm these insights with your own analysis of team form, context, and line-ups. Finally, use a disciplined staking method like flat stakes or the Kelly Criterion for a structured approach to your betting. Regularly review your betting outcomes and prediction accuracy using Sportmonks’ performance reports.

Sportmonks API integration: Bringing 1×2 betting into your build

You can use Sportmonks’ APIs to easily integrate 1×2 betting data into your applications. Here’s a breakdown of how it works.

Building strong foundations with odds data

Sportmonks gives you full 1×2 (3-way result) odds from many different bookmakers. You can get this data using specific API endpoints. For example:

– To get all markets, including 1×2, for a specific game and bookmaker, you can use the odds by fixture and bookmaker ID endpoint.
– To compare 1×2 odds across multiple bookmakers for the same match, you can use the odds by fixture and market ID endpoint and filter it for the 3-way result market.
– To get a broad data pull, you can use the odds by fixture ID endpoint, which returns all markets and bookmakers for a given match.

These endpoints form the basis of any odds portal, allowing you to build price comparisons or embed betting widgets.

Predictive analytics & value identification

For smarter decision-making, Sportmonks offers a Predictions API (available as an add-on). This provides machine learning-based probabilities for outcomes like a home win, draw, or away win, which are available up to 21 days before a match.

Sportmonks also has a Value Bet model that highlights outcomes that bookmakers might have priced incorrectly, helping you find favourable betting opportunities.

Streamlined integration & developer support tools

Sportmonks’ has an interactive dashboard that lets you see and test API calls before you start coding. They also provide a “Odds & Predictions” tutorial that gives you step-by-step instructions with examples and Postman collections. Their documentation also includes guides on filtering, pagination, and best practices to help with efficient integration.

Reliability, coverage & platform building blocks

Sportmonks’ Sports Betting API supports both pre-match and live odds and is designed for scalability with real-time updates for over 2,500 leagues. It supports over 1,350 leagues and more than 20 markets, including match-winner, double chance, and total goals, which allows you to support a wide range of betting applications.

Power your betting insights with Sportmonks

Success in the 1X2 market depends on having reliable data. With Sportmonks, you get access to live and pre-match odds, predictive models, and value bet insights across 1,350+ leagues worldwide. Our developer-friendly API makes it simple to integrate odds, predictions, and line-ups into your apps or platforms.

Start building smarter betting tools with Sportmonks today.