Mastering Football Odds: A Beginner’s Guide to Smarter Betting
If you want to boost your winning rate in football betting, having a solid understanding of various betting odds is a must. For newcomers, however, figuring out how these odds work can be overwhelming. That’s why in this article, win tips bet will walk you through the simplest yet most effective ways to identify football odds and place smarter bets with confidence.
How to Identify Asian Handicap Odds
Most football enthusiasts who want to place bets with reputable bookmakers choose Asian Handicap odds, also known as handicap betting. In this market, odds are divided into different handicaps and payout rates, depending on the timing and dynamics of the match. Reputable bookmakers will offer clear instructions for understanding these odds as shown below.
Level Ball (Draw No Bet)
With this bet type:
If the team you bet on wins, you win.
If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded.
If your team loses, you lose the full amount.
To identify this bet, look at the handicap value. If it shows 0, it's a Level Ball bet. At [best bookmaker], odds are clearly displayed, so you can easily follow them right on the betting board.
Quarter Ball Handicap (0.25)
In this case, the stronger team gives a 1/4-goal handicap to the weaker team. On the odds board, this is shown as 0.0, -0.5 or 0.0, +0.5.
If the stronger team wins, the bettor wins full.
If the match ends in a draw, the bettor loses half the stake.
If the stronger team loses, the bettor loses the full stake.
Half Ball Handicap (0.5)
This bet is indicated by +0.5 or -0.5. In a 0.5-goal handicap match:
If your team wins, you win full.
If the result is a draw or your team loses, you lose the entire bet.
See more: Top 5 best football referee
Three-Quarter Ball Handicap (0.75)
Recognized by +0.5, +1.0 or -0.5, -1.0:
If the stronger team wins by 1 goal, you win half the stake.
If they win by 2 or more, you win full.
If they lose or draw, you lose the bet (or win full if you picked the underdog).
One Goal Handicap (1.0)
Shown as +1.0 or -1.0:
If the stronger team wins by 2 or more, you win full.
If they win by exactly 1, it's a push (stake refunded).
If they draw or lose, you lose full (or win full if betting on the underdog).
1.25 Goal Handicap
Displayed as 1 – 1.5:
If the stronger team wins by 1 goal: bettor on the favorite loses half, underdog wins half.
If they win by 2+: favorite wins full, underdog loses full.
If draw or underdog wins: favorite loses full, underdog wins full.
1.5 Goal Handicap
Shown as 1.5:
If the stronger team wins by 2 or more, favorite bet wins full.
If they win by exactly 1, draw, or lose: favorite loses full, underdog wins full.
How to Identify European Odds
European odds (1X2) offer potentially higher payouts and are simpler since you only bet on the outcome: Win – Draw – Lose. For example, at a top bookmaker, the 1X2 bet may look like:
1 = Home team wins
X = Draw
2 = Away team wins
There are two types of European odds you can choose:
FT.1X2: Full-time European odds. Suitable for those who want to bet on the match result after 90 minutes.
1H.1X2: First-half odds. Ideal for punters who want quicker outcomes, though this option is harder to predict.
How to Identify Over/Under Odds (O/U)
Over/Under betting is favored for its simplicity, as it focuses only on the total number of goals scored in the match. Here are the common scenarios:
Case 1: O/U set at n goals
Exactly n goals: bet is void, stake refunded.
n + 1 goals or more: Over wins full, Under loses full.
n - 1 goals or fewer: Under wins full, Over loses full.
Case 2: O/U set at n + 0.25 goals
Exactly n goals: Over loses half, Under wins half.
n + 1 goals or more: Over wins full, Under loses half.
n - 1 goals or fewer: Over loses full, Under wins full.
Case 3: O/U set at n + 0.5 goals
n goals or fewer: Over loses full, Under wins full.
n + 1 goals or more: Over wins full, Under loses full.
Case 4: O/U set at n + 0.75 goals
n goals or fewer: Over loses full, Under wins full.
n + 1 goals: Over wins half, Under loses half.
n + 2 goals or more: Over wins full, Under loses full.
If you've made it this far, don’t leave just yet. At Wintips, we have many more exciting football topics and essential betting guides for beginners like you. Visit Wintips now to apply these odds recognition methods and explore the most thrilling bet types available today!