Dec 26, 2019 What do sports betting lines mean? Share this article share tweet text email link Charles Curtis. December 26, 2019 1:40 pm “Wait, why does this NFL team have a -235 next to its name? In the world of sports betting, a money line bet is simply betting on which team you expect to win. It doesn’t have anything to do with a spread. You may also see a money line bet listed as “Money.
Sports Betting Odds Explained. For the novice sports bettor, understanding how sports betting odds work can be one of the most confusing sets of numbers you've ever dealt with. For those who have just started betting on sports, to know how the odds work is of key importance for a profitable and enjoyable betting experience. In sports betting, “line” is a phrase used for the pointspread. It is commonly referred to as the betting line or the gaming odds used in determining the parameters for betting on either the underdog or favorite in the sports events. The practice of betting on the line encourages wagering on both sides.
Many inexperienced punters, or those who are new to sports betting, may find themselves looking at the available markets and asking, what is 1X2 betting?
Well, 1X2 betting is mostly popular in football and involves betting on the result in a match with three possible outcomes, which are home win, away win, and draw.
This market may also be known as Full Time Result, Match Betting, or Three-Way Bet.
How Does a 1X2 Bet Work?
If you are still confused, here’s a more detailed explanation and includes an example.
Basically, the three outcomes of a match between two teams are represented by either 1, 2, or X. This means 1 is for a home win, 2 for an away win, and X for the draw.
Using odds from Bet 365, let us use the scheduled curtain raiser for the 2017/18 Premier League season between Arsenal and Leicester as an example.
In the Full Time Result market, Arsenal are represented by the 1 as they are the home team. Leicester are the away team, so are represented by the 2, and the draw is X. Looking at the odds, you can see that Arsenal are favourites at 1.36. Leicester are the outsiders, with odds of 8.50, and the draw is priced at 4.75.
This means, using a 100 stake, that a bet on Arsenal to win would pay 136 if they’re victorious. Leicester to win is a possible return of 850, whilst the draw would pay 475 if the game finishes level.
The 1X2 bet is sometimes also available in handicap betting, as long as there’s the possibility of a draw.
Combining Two of the Three Possible Outcomes
It is possible to combine two of the three possible outcomes, using a Double Chance bet.
With this market, you can choose to bet on 1X, X2, or 12. This basically translates into home win or draw, draw or away win, and home win or away win.
By combining two outcomes, you have a bigger chance of winning your bet although it would be for lower odds than in a normal 1X2 market.
Using the match above, Arsenal v Leicester, let’s look at the difference in possible return.
1X (Arsenal or Draw) – Odds of 1.083. Possible return of 108.30 for a 100 stake
X2 (Draw or Leicester) – Odds of 3.20. Possible return of 320
12 (Arsenal or Leicester) – Odds of 1.20. Possible return of 120
Using our bet calculator, you can work out if it would be more profitable to combine two of the three possible outcomes using the double chance option or in the normal 1X2 market.
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Other Sports Using 1X2 Betting
Football is the obvious, and most popular, sport which uses the 1X2 betting market, but it’s not the only one.
Sports Betting + Or - Meaning
In fact, many bookmakers will offer this market on any team sport which has the possible outcomes of a home win, away win, or draw. Therefore, sports such as cricket, rugby, and even hockey are becoming increasingly popular among punters who use 1X2 betting.