1X2 Betting

1X2 betting, also known as three-way betting, involves a type of wager with three possible outcomes: a home win, a draw, or an away win. It may seem intimidating at first glance, but it is one of the most straightforward types of wagers you can make.

With this guide, we’ll explain how 1X2 betting works, how to understand the odds, and which sports are the best for 1X2 betting. We will also review pros and cons of 1X2 betting.

What Is 1X2 Betting?

1X2 betting is a type of wager in which you must predict one of three outcomes: a home win (designated by a “1”), a draw (designated by an “X”), or an away win (designated by a “2”). Because of the three potential scenarios to bet on, 1X2 betting is also known as “three-way betting,” with the latter being more commonly used in the U.S.

By offering 1X2 betting, sportsbooks can avoid the possibility of a “push.” On two-way moneylines, when a tie occurs, all stakes are returned to the bettors which can be costly for the bookmakers, so allowing for a tie guarantees a payout (and most of the time results in a profit for the bookies).

How Does 1X2 Betting Work?

You may have picked up on 1X2 betting’s close relation to a moneyline wager. There are a lot of similarities between the two, but it goes beyond the inclusion of a tie as a possible outcome.

When making 1X2 wagers, you can also bet on the result at the end of each quarter or half (home leads, tied, visitor leads). You can also make a three-way bet when the game is underway, which can lead to massive profits on well-times wagers.

Because they are rather straightforward (pick a winner or pick a tie), 1X2 wagers don’t necessarily require as much research as spreads, totals, or props wagers. This makes them a popular choice for casual bettors and professionals alike.

Additionally, there is the possibility for a double chance bet, where you can wager on two of the three outcomes. This bet type comes with an increased likelihood of winning, though it comes at the trade-off of worse odds overall, leading to a lower payout if you bet successfully.

Interpreting 1X2 Odds

When interpreting 1X2 odds, you can treat them the same as you would for moneyline, spread, or totals wagers. Each of the three outcomes will have different odds based on their likelihood of occurring.

For example, a soccer match between Arsenal (home) and Manchester City (away) may read as:

Home +105 Draw +250 Away +260

In this scenario, an Arsenal win is considered the most likely of the three outcomes, followed by a draw, then a Man City win.

Most of the time, one side will have a clear pre-match advantage over the other, so you’ll rarely see a Draw as the betting favorite. Additionally, teams playing at home tend to receive a slight boost to their odds even if the away side is favored, so the odds may not mirror their expected chance of winning.

In your betting app, you’ll see the odds displayed using your preferred method (American, Decimal, Fractional, or Implied Probability). However, if you are reading matchup previews for a condensed analysis of the game, you may see the odds expressed differently.

When that is the case, you can use Bettor In Green’s odds converter tool to quickly access the odds in your preferred format.

Calculating Potential Payouts in 1X2 Betting

When placing a 1X2 wager through a sports betting app or website, the sportsbook should provide you with a total payout once you decide on a stake amount.

However, if you want to know the potential payout in advance, you can cross-reference with Bettor In Green’s odds calculator tool. This will display the odds in your preferred method and determine your potential payout and profit.

Popular Sports for 1X2 Betting

In the “Big Four” North American sports leagues, ties can only occur in the NFL, and even there, ties are exceptionally rare. Since the 2000 regular season, the NFL has only seen 14 ties, averaging less than one per year, with many sportsbooks either not posting odds for a tie or having odds that make picking a tie in a 1X2 wager a poor value.

However, international versions of baseball and hockey can still end in ties, making 1X2 wagering a more viable option. Additionally, hockey games have a 60-minute moneyline scenario available for 1X2 betting, so if the game goes to overtime, the tie would be the winning wager.

Soccer is by far the most popular sport for three-way wagering, with rugby, cricket (tie or draw), and Australian Rules football also in the mix. However, ties are less common in rugby and Australian Rules.

Pros & Cons of 1X2 Betting

Here are a few of the Pros and Cons of 1X2 Betting

Pros of 1X2 Betting

• Straightforward bet type
• Doesn’t require as much research and expertise as other bet types
• Wagers won’t end in a push – you’ll get a conclusive result no matter what

Cons of 1X2 Betting

• Possibility of a tie means there’s an additional outcome where you can lose your stake
• Doesn’t apply to as many sports as traditional moneyline, spread, and totals bets

Conclusion

Successful 1X2 betting is largely dependent on having some familiarity with the sport and matchup you’re wagering on, though even a casual familiarity can be sufficient enough in some cases. That said, we still strongly recommend doing your own analysis to help increase your chances. 

If 1X2 betting doesn’t interest you, be sure to check out our other betting guides that cover additional wager types. 

Good luck, have fun, and always gamble responsibly!!