As known from:
The Verge logoUSA Today logoVentureBeat logo
VA
Online Gambling Sites > Betting Guide > 1X2 Betting Explained 2025

1X2 Betting Explained 2025: What is 1X2 betting?

Publish Date: 19/05/2023
Fact checked by: Graham Stevans

Betting 1x2 is one of the most simple markets at a sportsbook to use, but you need to know how it works and which sports it is most commonly used in.

For that reason, we have created this guide in which you will find betting 1x2 explained, so you can make the most of this type of wager.

Betting 1x2 definition

In many major US sports, the event will not end in a draw, as overtime or extra time is played to decide a winner. However, in many other sports, most typically soccer, the draw is not a freak occurrence but a regular event. In fact, in some circumstances, the underdog will play for this result from the kick-off. For this reason, understanding how this all works is vital for any regular soccer bettor, or anyone considering it in the future.

In very basic terms, 1x2 could also be written as a home win, draw, or away win, and this defines the three options you can wager on. In principle, it is all but identical to the way you had betting moneyline explained to you before, except where you would normally see two options you would now see three.

Betting on soccer 1x2

If this still sounds complicated, the easiest way to illustrate this is with an example, and as many 1x2 bets are placed on soccer matches, we will use one of those to make the point. Soccer will be found in the left-hand menu of most sportsbooks, and might even be listed across the top alongside football and basketball on others.

Clicking on this will display the forthcoming matches, most likely leading with EPL (English Premier League). You will see the two teams listed for each match, with the team playing at home listed on top. Next to this are three sets of odds, the first is for a home win, the next for the draw (also referred to as the ‘tie’ at some sportsbooks) and the third is for the away win.

In a match where a team like Manchester United, which many US sports fans will have heard of, and Brentford (which they won’t), you might expect to see the odds listed as -160, +310, +400. That is -160 for Manchester United to win, +310 for the draw, and +400 for a Brentford victory.

This means that Manchester United are very strong favorites and the draw is almost as unlikely as Brentford winning. However, you will also get games where the teams are more evenly matched, and there is little variation in the odds across all three possible results.

The best sports betting sites

Bet365
1.
4.6/5
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
USA
USA Players Welcome
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM
2.
4.6/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
USA
USA Players Welcome
PayNearMe
Skrill
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
FanDuel
3.
4.5/5
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
USA
USA Players Welcome
Prepaid Card
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Caesars
4.
4.5/5
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
USA
USA Players Welcome
E-Check
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
DraftKings
5.
4.5/5
Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
USA
USA Players Welcome
PayPal
VIP Preferred
Play+
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs and 21+ apply

Variations on 1x2 betting

While the straight 1x2 bet can be found on the best betting sites for soccer markets as well as some other sports, some sportsbooks will offer slight variations on this that stretch the betting 1x2 definition somewhat. You might be able to find double chance bets where one wager will cover the win for one team and the draw, or a draw-no-bet wager, where the bet is void if the game ends in a tie.

When should you use 1x2 betting?

Among the different types of sports betting, 1x2 wagers are among the most straightforward to place as it is just a case of making a selection, deciding on your stake and then your bet is placed. 1x2 bets also feature in spread or handicap betting, when the odds of one team might be very low. It will all depend on the markets your sportsbook has available and which sport you usually bet on, as soccer is not the only sport where 1x2 betting is used, just not as frequently.

Conclusion - 1x2 betting is simple to use and versatile for all betting styles

Once you have a grasp of sports betting 1x2, you have more sports open to you for placing wagers, especially soccer. As soon as you realize how simple it is to place a 1x2 wager, you will see how it can be used to find more value bets, or that several can be combined to create a parlay bet if the individual odds are very low.

Of course, how often you use 1x2 bets will depend on your betting style, and to learn more about other bet types that could improve your betting experience, you should check out the additional online betting guides you will find elsewhere on this site.

Our favorite bonuses

Bet365
1.
4.6/5
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
USA
USA Players Welcome
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Open Bet365
Get bonus now
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM
2.
4.6/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
USA
USA Players Welcome
Min. Deposit: $5
Open BetMGM
Get bonus now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
FanDuel
3.
4.5/5
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
USA
USA Players Welcome
Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $5
Open FanDuel
Get bonus now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Caesars
4.
4.5/5
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
USA
USA Players Welcome
Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit
Copy
Get bonus now
T&Cs and 21+ apply
DraftKings
5.
4.5/5
Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
USA
USA Players Welcome
Min. Deposit: 5
Open DraftKings
Get bonus now
T&Cs and 21+ apply

Betting 1x2 explained FAQ

💡What is sports betting 1x2?

If you are used to seeing just two options in moneyline bets, then you might be confused by the choices in a 1x2 wager. To discover how 1x2 bets work, and which sports they can be used most effectively on, check out our latest guide.

💭Does 1x2 betting work for other sports besides soccer?

1x2 betting is used in soccer because the draw is a frequent result as no overtime is played unless it is a knockout match. In our latest guide, betting 1x2 is explained in full, so you can see for yourself which other sports it might be a good fit for.

🎈How do you place a 1x2 bet?

As 1x2 bets won’t apply to many markets for the major US sports, you might not be aware of how to place one. Our new guide explains how 1x2 betting works so you know what to expect, and takes you through the process of placing your first 1x2 bet.

💸Can 1x2 bets be used for spread betting?

1x2 bets are simple to place, which makes them a versatile tool in the hands of a savvy bettor. By reading our most recent guide, you will be able to see how 1x2 betting works, so you can work out all of their potential uses.

🤔 Can you use a 1x2 bet as part of a parlay?

Placing 1x2 bets can be easy as long as you know what you are doing. Our new guide will provide you with all the information you need, and once you see how they work, you will be able to decide if and how they might be combined with other bets,

Read Also
Betting Sites for India
You can find all the need-to-know information about the best betting sites ...
Best Kansas Sportsbook Promos & Bonuses 2025
If you want to make the most of your sports betting experience, ...
Bet365 Promo
Illinois Sportsbook Promos & Bonuses 2025
Sports betting is legal in The Prairie State, and many sportsbooks are ...
Best Arizona Sportsbook Promos & Bonuses 2025
The Grand Canyon may be one of the Seven Wonders of the ...
Free SC Coins for Sweepstakes Casinos
One of the best things about sweepstakes casinos is the fact that ...
Top Betting Sites
Bet365
4.6/5
BetMGM
4.6/5
FanDuel
4.5/5
Caesars
4.5/5
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.5/5
Top Betting Bonuses
Bet365
Bet365 Promo
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Caesars
Caesars Promo
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Promo
Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Our Team
Eric BaleHeather WilliamsGraham Stevans
Eric Bale
Eric Bale
Editor
Heather Williams
Heather Williams
Editor
Graham Stevans
Graham Stevans
Writer

21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.
Virginia Town Hall
Close
Our Sports Pros recommend these awesome sports betting sites this week:
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open BetMGM
Get Bonus
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open FanDuel
Get Bonus
Bet365
Bet365 Promo
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open Bet365
Open Bet365
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site