What does 1X2 stand for?

"1" represents a home win, "X" represents a draw, and "2" represents an away win. Together they cover the three possible outcomes of a football match.

How is 1X2 different from a moneyline bet?

A moneyline bet, common in sports without draws, only has two possible outcomes — one side winning or the other. 1X2 adds the draw as a third genuine outcome, which affects how each selection is priced.

What is double chance betting?

Double chance combines two of the three 1X2 outcomes into one bet, such as "1X" (home win or draw). It removes one outcome from consideration, which generally means shorter odds than backing a single 1X2 selection.

Which double chance option removes the draw?

The "12" double chance covers a home win or an away win, meaning the bet only loses if the match ends in a draw.

Match Result Betting Explained (1X2)

Written by Andy Walker

Match result betting, commonly labelled 1X2, is one of the most widely used markets in football and offers three possible outcomes for a single fixture: a home win, a draw, or an away win. It is a straightforward way to bet on the outcome of a match without needing to consider a goal-based handicap or total. This guide explains how the three-way 1X2 market works, how it differs from the two-outcome moneyline format used in some other sports, and how the double chance variant lets a bettor cover two of the three outcomes in a single bet.

The 1X2 market gets its name from the three ways a football match can be labelled for settlement purposes: "1" for a home win, "X" for a draw, and "2" for an away win. A bet on any one of these three settles as a win only if that specific outcome occurs; the other two outcomes both result in a loss. Because there are three realistic outcomes rather than two, prices for each selection reflect not just the perceived difference in ability between the two teams but also the separate chance of a draw.

This differs from the two-outcome moneyline format used in sports such as basketball or tennis, where there is no draw and a bet is simply on one side or the other to win outright. In those sports, the market only has to weigh the relative chances of the two competitors, whereas football's 1X2 market has to price a third, genuinely common outcome alongside the two match winners.

Double chance is a variant of the match result market that combines two of the three possible 1X2 outcomes into a single bet, effectively removing one outcome from consideration. The three double chance combinations are "1X" (home win or draw), "X2" (draw or away win), and "12" (home win or away win, excluding the draw). A bet on "1X", for example, wins if the home team either wins or draws, and only loses if the away team wins. Because it covers two outcomes instead of one, double chance odds are shorter than the equivalent single 1X2 selection, reflecting the higher probability of the bet winning.

Football results, whether bet on through 1X2 or double chance, cannot be predicted with certainty, and betting on them carries financial risk. Odds vary between bookmakers and can change before kick-off. Only stake money you can afford to lose, and be aware that gambling can be addictive for some people. UK readers can find free, confidential support at BeGambleAware.org, and must be 18 or over to bet with a licensed operator.

FAQs

What does 1X2 stand for?: "1" represents a home win, "X" represents a draw, and "2" represents an away win. Together they cover the three possible outcomes of a football match.
How is 1X2 different from a moneyline bet?: A moneyline bet, common in sports without draws, only has two possible outcomes — one side winning or the other. 1X2 adds the draw as a third genuine outcome, which affects how each selection is priced.
What is double chance betting?: Double chance combines two of the three 1X2 outcomes into one bet, such as "1X" (home win or draw). It removes one outcome from consideration, which generally means shorter odds than backing a single 1X2 selection.
Which double chance option removes the draw?: The "12" double chance covers a home win or an away win, meaning the bet only loses if the match ends in a draw.