How to Bet on Soccer: A Beginner’s Guide

The Fundamentals of Soccer Betting

Before placing your first bet, you must understand the basic structure of a soccer wager and the importance of rules.

1. Understanding Odds Formats

Odds express the payout and the bookmaker’s implied probability of an outcome. In the U.S. market, American odds are standard:

• Favorite (–): Indicates how much you must wager to win $\$100$. (e.g., –200 means risk $\$200$ to win $\$100$.)
• Underdog (+): Indicates the profit on a $\$100$ wager. (e.g., +150 means a $\$100$ bet wins $\$150$.)

2. The Crucial Rules: 90 Minutes Only

In soccer, most standard bets (Match Result, Totals, Handicaps) are settled based on the score at the end of 90 minutes plus injury time.

• Regulation Time Only: If a cup match goes into extra time or penalty shootouts, the final score after 90 minutes is used to settle the original bet.
• Check the Fine Print: Always confirm if the specific market you’re betting on includes extra time (usually noted as “To Qualify” or “To Lift the Trophy”).

3. Bankroll and Discipline

Your bankroll is the total amount of money you set aside for betting—money you can afford to lose.

• Staking Plan: Use only a small, fixed percentage (e.g., $1\%$ to $3\%$) of your bankroll on any single bet, especially as a beginner.
• Avoid Chasing Losses: Never increase your bet size after a loss hoping to win back money quickly. This is the fastest way to financial ruin in betting.

Common Soccer Bet Types

Soccer features multiple standard markets, but the most important is the 3-Way Moneyline because a draw is a frequent outcome.

1. Match Result / 3-Way Moneyline (1X2)

This is the primary wager. Unlike most American sports, soccer has three possible outcomes in regulation time.

• 1: Home Team Win
• X: Draw (Tie)
• 2: Away Team Win

Example: Betting a Draw at odds of $+300$ means a $\$100$ bet wins $\$300$ if the match ends tied (e.g., 1-1, 0-0).

• Draw No Bet (DNB): A safer alternative where you only bet on Team A or Team B to win. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is returned (a push).

2. Totals (Over/Under) Goals

You bet on whether the total combined goals scored by both teams will be Over or Under a set line.

• Low Lines: Soccer Totals are typically low (e.g., $2.5$ goals). This is the key number in soccer betting.

Example: If you bet Over $2.5$ goals, you need 3 or more total goals to win. A 1-1 final score means the Under wins.

3. Handicap Betting (Spreads)

Handicaps are used to create even odds when there’s a mismatch between two teams.

European Handicap: Gives one team a clear goal advantage/disadvantage (e.g., Team A $-1$ goal). The draw remains a possible outcome.

Asian Handicap: This format aims to eliminate the draw or reduce the risk:

• Full Goal Handicap (−1.0): If the favorite wins by exactly one goal, the bet is a push (stake returned).
• Quarter Goal Handicap (−0.75 or −1.25): Splits your stake between two separate handicap lines, reducing risk.

4. Proposition Bets (Props)

Wagers on specific events within the match, unrelated to the final score:

• Both Teams to Score (BTTS): A popular Yes/No market. Will both sides score at least one goal?
• Correct Score: Betting on the exact final score (e.g., 2-1). High reward, high risk.
• Player/Game Props: Betting on the number of corners, cards, or a specific player to score the first goal.

Strategy and Smart Tips for Beginners

A long-term successful strategy in soccer betting relies on research and value hunting.

1. Focus on Value, Not Favorites

• Avoid the Public Trap: Do not simply back popular teams or large favorites. Public money often pushes favorite odds down, giving you little margin for error (low value).
• Seek $\text{EV+}$: Focus on bets where you believe the odds undervalue the outcome. For example, if you estimate a team has a $40\%$ chance to win, but the bookmaker gives them $+200$ odds (implying a $33\%$ chance), you have found value.

2. Research Checklist

Avoid betting on matches you haven’t researched. Gather critical information to inform your decision:

• Team Form: Look at the last $5–10$ matches. Note their recent goal differential and goals conceded.
• Motivation: Is the team fighting for a title, avoiding relegation, or playing a meaningless mid-table game? Motivation affects effort.
• Injuries & Suspensions: Missing key players (especially strikers or central defenders) can dramatically alter a team’s scoring or defensive ability.
• Home/Away Splits: Some teams are unbeatable at home but terrible on the road.

3. Shop for the Best Odds

• Maintain Multiple Accounts: Different sportsbooks often quote slightly different odds on the same line. Always compare the odds across multiple licensed sites. This is called line shopping.
• Maximize Payout: Even a small difference (e.g., getting $+115$ instead of $+105$) adds up to significant profit over the course of a season.

Summary Checklist for Placing a Bet

Before finalizing your wager, ensure you can answer all these questions:

1. Legal Check: Am I using a licensed sportsbook in a legal jurisdiction?
2. Rules Check: Does this bet cover regulation time only (90 minutes)?
3. Bankroll Check: Does the stake fit my $1\%–3\%$ risk limit? Can I afford to lose this money?
4. Research Check: Have I checked form, injuries, and team motivation?
5. Value Check: Am I betting based on research and value, or just because I want the team to win?
6. Discipline Check: Am I avoiding large Accumulators (Parlays) and avoiding the temptation to chase losses?