Soccer Betting: Balancing Risk and Reward

If you like soccer betting as much as we do, you probably also like to keep your options open where possible. The regular 1×2 or Match Winner soccer betting markets don’t always offer the flexibility and safety cushion to suit your punting strategy. When you’re backing just one side or the other, soccer betting can be a very harsh all-or-nothing game. Thankfully, just about every online bookmaker in South Africa offers odds on profitable alternative markets that give you just the right balance of risk and reward you’re looking for!

Get the most out of your Soccer Bets

Below we explain and give examples of our favourite ‘safer’ soccer betting markets which can help you to win more often, even if it means getting a slightly smaller payout when you do.

Draw No Bet

A Draw No Bet eliminates the option for a draw and covers two of the three possible match outcomes. You can either bet on Team A to win plus the draw or Team B to win plus the draw. If your team wins, the payout is less than with a Match Winner (1×2) bet but your entire stake is refunded if the match ends in a draw.

When to bet on this market: If the team you favour is closely matched with their opponent and the game might well end in a draw.

Why is this bet safer? If your team draws the match you won’t lose any money.

1st Half DNB

This bet covers two of the three possible match outcomes in the 1st Half of a soccer match. You can either bet on Team A to win the 1st Half plus the draw or Team B to win the 1st Half plus the draw. If your team wins, the payout is less than with a Match Winner (1×2) bet but your entire stake is refunded if the 1st Half ends in a draw.

When to bet on this market: If the team you favour tends to start matches well but often fades later in the game.

Why is this bet safer? If your team draws the 1st Half of the match you won’t lose any money.

Double Chance

This bet covers two of the three possible match outcomes in a soccer match. You can either bet on Team A to win plus the draw or Team B to win plus the draw. If your team wins or draws the match you get a full payout. The reduced odds on a Double Chance bet means your return is smaller than with the Draw No Bet and Match Winner markets.

When to bet on this market: If your team is a big underdog but you think they have a chance of getting at least a draw in the match.

Why is this bet safer? As long as your team doesn’t lose the match, your bet is still a winner.

1st Half Double Chance

This bet covers two of the three possible match outcomes in the 1st Half of a soccer match. You can either bet on Team A to win the 1st Half plus the draw or Team B to win the 1st Half plus the draw. If your team wins or draws the match you get a full payout. The reduced odds on a 1st Half Double Chance bet means your return is smaller than with the 1st Half Draw No Bet and Match Winner markets.

When to bet on this market: If your team is a big underdog and tends to start matches well, but often fades later in the game.

Why is this bet safer? As long as your team doesn’t lose the 1st Half of the match, your bet is still a winner.

European Handicap (+)

With European Handicap (+) soccer bets, your team begins the match with a head start depending on their ability and that of their opponents. Bet on your team to overcome the handicap after adding a certain number of goals from their tally after the match.

When to bet on this market: If you think your team can avoid heavy defeat and won’t lose by more than the goal handicap.

Why is this bet safer? Even if your team doesn’t win the match, your bet wins as long as they cover the goal handicap.

Asian Handicap (+)

Same as the European version except that if the match is a draw after the Asian Handicap (+) is applied then your stake is refunded not lost. For example, if you bet on a +1 Asian Handicap, your team must win or draw the match for a full payout. If they lose by only 1 goal, your stake is refunded and 2+ goals then your bet is a loss.

When to bet on this market: If you think your team can avoid heavy defeat and won’t lose by more than the goal handicap.

Why is this bet safer? Even if your team doesn’t win the match, your bet wins as long as they cover the goal handicap.

Team To Win Either Half

For teams that start fast or slowly, 1st Half bets are a good option but Team To Win Either Half bets are better for teams that show up when you least expect it. This soccer betting market treats each half of the game as a separate match and allows you to bet on your team to dominate their opponents for at least 45 minutes.

When to bet on this market: If you think your team is capable of beating their opponents but are often unreliable over the full 90 minutes.

Why is this bet safer? Even if your team gets down an early goal or has a terrible second half, you can still win your bet.

1st Half Correct Score

With so many possible outcomes, it’s never easy predicting the Correct Score of a soccer match. But with only 45 minutes to worry about, betting on the 1st Half Correct Score is a bit easier. This market can be especially profitable if you expect the match to play out one way or another in the first half.

When to bet on this market: If you think the match will be low-scoring early on. For example, a 1st Half Correct Score prediction of 0-0 offers better odds when compared to other markets like Under 2.5 goals.

Why is this bet safer? There are less Correct Score outcomes likely in the first half when compared to the full 90 minutes of a match. Also, on average, more goals are scored in the second half of soccer matches which means betting on the first half can give you an advantage.

Multiscores

Predicting the Correct Score of a soccer match can be a minefield but one way to hedge your bets is with Multiscores. This market allows you to predict up to three possible outcomes for a single match. The odds you get on Multiscores are lower than with Correct Score markets but your chances of winning are drastically increased.

When to bet on this market: In a one-sided match where the favourite could run up a big score against their opponents. For example, bet on Man City to beat Leeds 3-0, 4-0 or 5-0.

Why is this bet safer? There are many different possible score lines in a soccer match. By covering three options in a single bet you drastically increase your chances of winning.

Team Totals

Some soccer teams have a knack for scoring goals but can’t always be trusted to win matches. Other teams don’t often win matches but are very solid at the back. Team Totals Over/Under give you the chance to bet on a team’s goal tally without worrying about the final score.

When to bet on this market: If you think your team will either attack or defend well but it’s hard to predict the final result of the match.

Why is this bet safer? If your team scores lots of goals but still draws or loses the match, you might still win your bet.

Bet In-Play To Minimise Risk

Betting in-play on live matches is a great way to eliminate some of the uncertainty and risk that comes with soccer betting. Seeing what’s happening on the field can give you a better idea of how the match might turn out. With in-play soccer betting, you have many of the same betting options available as pre-match plus other markets such as Who Wins The Rest Of The Match, Next Goal and more.

So when should you bet on soccer in-play? A good opportunity is when you see a favourite losing early in the match or a striker who’s pressing and looks destined to score. You can also use in-play betting to hedge your pre-match bets, especially if things are not going your way. In this situation, you might choose to bet the opposite side of your pre-match bet while the match is underway to cut your losses in much the same way as the Cash Out feature.

Check out this video explaining some of our favourite in-play soccer betting markets available at Betway.