Types of sports bets explained: 1X2, over/under, BTTS and double chance 

Anyone opening a football match at a bookmaker for the first time will immediately be presented with dozens of possible bets. As well as predicting who will win the match, you can bet on the number of goals, whether both teams will score, and cover several outcomes at once. 

Four of the most common types of sports bets are 1X2, over/under, BTTS and double chance. In this article, we explain in simple terms what these terms mean, when a bet wins and how the markets differ from one another. 

If you’d like to understand the general basics first, you can consult our guide on how sports betting works. 

What is a betting market? 

A betting market is the specific aspect of a match on which you place a bet. For the same football match, for example, you can bet on: 

• the winner of the match; 

• the total number of goals; 

• whether both teams will score; 

•  a combination of two possible match outcomes; 

• the correct final score; 

• the number of corners or cards. 

For each market, the bookmaker sets separate odds. The less likely an outcome is, according to the bookmaker, the higher the odds on offer will generally be. 

What does 1X2 mean? 

The 1X2 bet is the classic way to bet on the outcome of a football match. The three symbols represent the possible results: 

Suppose Club Brugge are playing Standard at home. A bet on 1 wins if Club Brugge win the match. A bet on X wins in the event of a draw, and a bet on 2 wins if Standard win. 

Which playing time counts? 

In football betting, the 1X2 market normally relates to normal playing time: 90 minutes plus injury time. Extra time and penalty shoot-outs do not usually count. 

This is particularly important in cup matches. If a match ends 1–1 after 90 minutes and the home team then wins after extra time, the correct selection for the standard 1X2 market is still X. 

Always check the bookmaker’s terms and conditions. Some bookmakers offer separate markets for ‘winner including extra time’ or ‘who qualifies for the next round’. 

Example of a 1X2 bet 

A bookmaker offers the following odds: 

If you stake €10 on the home team at odds of 1.85, you’ll receive €18.50 back if they win. Of this, €8.50 is profit and €10 is the original stake. 

What does over/under mean? 

With an over/under bet, you predict whether the total number of goals will be over or under a certain threshold. Which team wins the match is irrelevant in this context. 

The most commonly used line in football is 2.5 goals: 

• Over 2.5 goals: there must be at least three goals scored. 

• Under 2.5 goals: there may be a maximum of two goals scored. 

The half-goal line ensures that the bet cannot end exactly on the chosen threshold. 

Examples of over and under 2.5 

A bet on over 2.5 can therefore win with a score of 3–0, but also with 2–1 or 2–2. It doesn’t matter which team scores the goals. 

Bookmakers often offer multiple lines, such as over/under 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5. The lower the chosen over line, the more possible outcomes will result in a winning bet. This is usually accompanied by lower odds. 

With whole-number lines, such as over/under 2.0, the stake may be refunded if exactly two goals are scored. This depends on the type of market and the bookmaker’s house rules. 

What does BTTS mean? 

BTTS stands for Both Teams To Score. In this market, you predict whether both teams will score at least one goal during the match. 

You have two options: 

• BTTS Yes: both teams must score. 

• BTTS No: at least one team must not score. 

Some bookmakers also use the abbreviations GG and NG for this, which stand for ‘Goal/Goal’ and ‘No Goal’. 

Examples of BTTS 

A 4–0 result therefore does not result in a winning BTTS Yes bet, despite the high number of goals. Both teams must score at least once. 

The final match result is otherwise irrelevant. BTTS Yes wins whether the score is 1–1, 3–1 or 2–3. 

What does double chance mean? 

With a double-chance bet, you cover two of the three possible 1X2 outcomes. This gives you three options: 

Suppose you expect the away team to be strong enough not to lose, but you’re unsure whether they’ll draw or win. With X2, both outcomes are covered. 

Because two possible outcomes are covered, the odds for a double chance bet are usually lower than for a standard 1X2 bet. However, lower odds do not mean that the bet is guaranteed to win. 

What is the difference between 1X2, over/under, BTTS and double chance? 

The main difference, therefore, is what your prediction relates to: 

• With 1X2, it’s all about the match result. 

• With over/under, only the total number of goals counts. 

• With BTTS, both teams must either score or not score. 

• With double chance, you combine two possible 1X2 outcomes. 

Which bet suits which match analysis? 

The market that best suits an analysis depends on what you think you know about the match. 

You expect a clear winner 

In that case, a 1X2 bet is the most obvious choice. You predict directly which team will win. 

You expect a lot or few goals 

In that case, an over/under bet is a better fit. You don’t need to predict who will win, as long as your estimate of the number of goals is correct. 

You expect chances at both ends 

BTTS can be an interesting option when both teams score regularly but also concede goals frequently. A strong attack alone is not enough: both teams must find the net. 

You think a team won’t lose 

Double Chance can be used when you want to hedge against a draw for one team. The potential payout is usually lower because two outcomes result in a winning bet. 

Can you combine these markets? 

Many bookmakers allow you to place different selections in a combination bet. Sometimes it’s also possible to combine markets from a single match using a Bet Builder. 

For example, you could choose: 

• home team to win; 

• over 2.5 goals; 

• both teams to score. 

When these three predictions are combined, they must all be correct for the entire bet to win. The total odds increase, but so does the likelihood that at least one part will be incorrect.  

Not all combinations are permitted. Bookmakers may block dependent or conflicting selections. 

Comparing odds and markets 

The markets and odds available may vary from one bookmaker to another. It may therefore be useful to check the offerings of several licensed operators before placing a bet. 

Our reviews of Starsport and its range of sports betting options, Bwin Belgium and Betcenter Belgium show how the range of sports and the available betting markets can differ from one operator to another. 

You can also find more information about bookmakers, odds and live betting in our guide to legal sports betting in Belgium. 

Sports betting in Belgium 

The Belgian Gaming Commission defines a bet as a game of chance in which players place a stake and whether they win or lose depends on an uncertain event. Further information on the legal categories can be found on the Belgian Gaming Commission’s official page on betting. 

Only bet with a bookmaker holding a valid Belgian licence. Set a budget in advance and never regard gambling as a way to earn money on a regular basis. 

You can also read about how deposit limits work on Belgian gambling sites. If you find that your betting is difficult to control, take a look at the key signs of problem gambling.