If you have engaged with any form of online betting then it is likely that you have come across betting markets labelled “1X2”. What does this seemingly unusual code mean? Where has it come from? We will answer all this and more about the history of the 1X2 phraseology, and the different 1X2 bets you can find commonly at online betting sites.
But let’s first begin by answering the obvious question.
Definition of 1X2 in betting
There’s two aspects to this, the terminology and then how the terminology is applied in specific betting markets.
Terminology
1X2 was a short way to indicate the possible result of a football match, originally on the Football Pools, but the format was also quickly adopted by bookmakers too.
The three figures refer to:
- 1 is a Home Team win.
- X is a Drawn game.
- 2 is an Away Team win.
So in essence, 1X2 is a shorthand way of showing Home Win/Draw/Away Win.
Application of the Terminology
In sports betting 1X2 is used as an option for a number of sports markets where two teams or individuals are competing and the end result can be a home win, draw or away win.
The term is used most commonly on the Full Time Result market in football. But some bookmakers use the term to describe similar markets in other sports too.
Punters should be aware that any sport that could see a final result of a win for either of the two competitors, or a draw or tie, could see these options denoted using the 1X2 format.
How does 1X2 Betting Work?
1X2 betting is a wager on the correct result of a sporting contest, usually (but not always) at the end of the contest.
The punter can select either 1 (Home Win), X (Draw) or 2 (Away Win) option to add to their bet slip for the featured match.
For example, if Manchester City faced Arsenal in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, then the options you could select for this bet would be:
- 1 – Manchester City (the home team) to win.
- X – The match to finish as a draw.
- 2 – Arsenal (the away team) to win.
These bets are hugely popular, both as singles bets, but also when multiple 1X2 bet selections have been added to a bet slip and the customer wants to place an accumulator bet or another type of multiple selection bet.
Some bookmakers, such as bet365 Sport, will offer additional bonuses for accumulator bets made using 1X2 markets in football (and other sports), so it can be a good idea for customers to look out for these bonuses on site.
Unlike some other bets, 1X2 markets do not have any kind of handicap or alteration to the score of each team. It is a straight three-selection bet with the final outcome of the contest being the sole deciding factor for this bet.
Popular Sports for 1X2 Betting
Football is, by far and away, the most popular sport for 1X2 betting and this type of bet is mostly found on the options for the full time result markets with many bookmakers.
However, football is not the only sport where 1X2 markets may be used. Although the sports differ from bookmaker to bookmaker, some other sports which you can find 1X2 betting options on include:
- Rugby Union
- Rugby League
- Cricket
- Hockey
However, it is football which is by far and away the most popular sport for 1X2 betting.
American Sports
In American Sports, the terminology 1X2 isn’t used prevalently due to the traditions of American betting. Additionally, with a tie being a rare result, most bookmakers offer just the two win bets (home team or away team). These tend to be called Moneyline bets for American Sports such as American Football (NFL), Basketball (NBA), Baseball (MLB) and Ice Hockey (NHL).
Types of 1X2 Bets
Although most 1X2 bets refer to the final score or full time result of the contest in question, this is not the only type of 1X2 bet you can place. Other types of this bet include:
- First Half/Half Time 1X2 – A bet on the scoreline of the match at half time.
- Asian Handicap 1X2 – A bet where a selection in the 1X2 market will have a handicap applied (in the case of football, this may be in terms of a full or half goal)
- Second Half 1X2 – A bet on the outcome of the match based on the second half only.
1X2 Betting Strategies
When using the 1X2 betting markets, are there some strategies you can use to help you select the bets that are more likely to win, or perhaps offer a larger than standard payout?
Outlined below are five key strategies to follow when 1X2 betting:
- Home advantage matters. Statistically home teams win more than away teams and both victories occur more often than a draw.
- However a draw is usually a very good option in terms of odds, so look out for even games to back the draw.
- Always research your 1X2 bets beforehand. A little research can help inform these bets a great deal.
- For shorter odds 1X2 selections, consider making a Double or Treble bet to increase the value of the bet.
- Be dispassionate, especially when betting on a match involving a team you support. You may love Tranmere Rovers but are they really going to beat Manchester City?
1X2 Betting is one of the most popular and accessible bets you can find at betting sites today. It’s simple, triple-choice bet makes it popular choice for punters across a range of sports where either team or player could win, or the draw is an option. With a number of additional options to supplement the standard 1X2 bet, it is little wonder that the bet remains a firm favourite with modern online punters.
