Soccer is the world’s most popular sport — and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to betting.
If you’re new, the options can feel overwhelming fast. Three-way moneylines. Draw no bet. Asian handicaps. Totals set at 2.5. Why 2.5? Why can a bet lose on a tie? And when does extra time count?
This guide breaks it down clearly and simply. We’ll walk through the most common soccer bet types, explain how odds are graded, and highlight the beginner mistakes that cost bettors money. By the end, you’ll know exactly what you’re betting on — and why.
🔑Key Takeaways
- Games can end in a draw after 90 minutes.
- Most bets are graded on regulation only.
- The standard total is 2.5 goals.
- Ignoring the draw is a rookie mistake.
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How soccer betting works
Soccer betting looks simple until a 1–1 draw ruins your ticket.
Games can end in a draw after 90 minutes. Most bets are graded on regulation only, and because scoring is low, a single goal often decides the outcome. That’s why pricing is tighter, variance is higher, and heavy favorites lose more often than new bettors expect.
In other words, small edges matter more in soccer than in most sports.
That’s why you’ll see:
- Three-way moneylines (win/draw/win)
- Totals set at 2.5 goals
- Handicaps instead of traditional spreads
In soccer, you’re not just picking the better team — you’re predicting how the match will unfold.
Once you understand that, the betting markets start to make sense.
Now let’s break down the bets you’ll actually use.
3-way moneyline (1X2)
The 3-way moneyline bet in soccer is the standard wager.
You're simply betting on the match result after 90 minutes:
- 1 = Home win
- X = Draw
- 2 = Away win
If you bet a team to win and the match ends in a draw, you lose. There's no safety net with this particular wager.
| Result | Odds |
|---|---|
 USA |
+145 |
| Draw | +220 |
 Canada |
+200 |
If you bet $100 on USA at +145 and they win, you profit $145. If the match ends in a draw, only the Draw tickets cash.
Notice something important:
The draw is priced competitively and not like a long shot. That’s because draws are common in soccer.
2-way moneyline (Draw No Bet)
The 2-way moneyline method removes the draw entirely.
You are now betting on which team you think will win after 90 minutes. If the match ends in a draw, the bet is void, and your stake is returned.
This market is usually listed as Draw No Bet and looks like this:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| USA |
-150 |
| Canada |
+110 |
If you bet $100 on Canada at +110 in the DNB market, you stand to profit $110 if Canada wins the game. If the USA wins, you lose your wager.
If the match ends in a draw, all bets are refunded.
Since the draw is removed from the equation, the odds shrink because you are paying for protection from the draw.
Next up, there is another way to protect yourself without removing the draw entirely.
Double chance
The 'Double Chance' market lets you cover two of the three possible outcomes. Instead of picking just a win or a draw, you can combine both of them into one bet.
You can choose:
- Team A or Draw
- Team B or Draw
- Team A or Team B
If either of your two outcomes happens, the bet will be graded as a winner.
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| USA or Draw |
-275 |
| Canada or Draw |
-188 |
| USA or Canada |
-275 |
If you bet on Canada or Draw, you win if the Canadians win or the match ends level. You will only lose if the USA wins.
Similar to the DNB market, because you are covering two of the three bases, your payout is much smaller than the standard 3-way line.
Double chance is most useful when you like an underdog but want protection against the draw.
Totals
The totals in soccer are also called the 'goal line'. You are betting on how many total goals will be scored in the match
The most common line is 2.5 goals.
- Over 2.5 wins if 3 or more goals are scored
- Under 2.5 wins if 2 or fewer goals are scored
| USA vs Canada Total | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 2.5 Goals | -110 |
| Under 2.5 Goals | -110 |
Totals are available to bet on for full time (90 minutes) or for each half (45 minutes). Many books also offer team totals, which focus on goals scored by one team only.
Soccer spreads
Spreads in soccer are called handicaps. Instead of points (like in the NFL), the line is set in goals.
Common spreads range from -0.5 to -2 goals.
- A favorite at -1.5 must win by 2 or more goals to cover the handicap.
- An underdog at +1.5 can lose by one goal and still cover, win outright, or draw.
| Team | Spread | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| USA |
-1.5 | +380 |
| Canada |
+1.5 | -570 |
Because soccer is such a low-scoring sport, and the 3-way moneyline odds for this example are as tight as they are, the odds lengthen dramatically when backing the USA to win by 2+ goals.
Asian handicap
Asian handicap is a variation of the spread that removes the draw and can split your bet across two lines.
You might see numbers like -0.25, -0.75, or -1.75. These divide your wager in half across two outcomes.
For example, you might see USA -1.75 (+140).
If you bet $100 on the USA -1.75:
- Half your wager ($50) is on the -1.5
- Half ($50) is on -2.0
If the US beats Canada by 2 goals:
- The -1.5 portion wins ($50 x 1.40 = $70 profit)
- The -2.0 portion pushes
If the US beats Canada by 1 goal, or loses/draws, both bets lose.
Soccer props
There is no shortage of soccer props to wager on in 2026.
Props are one of the fastest-growing markets, and sportsbooks now offer dozens of player and team-based options for almost every single match.
Some of the more popular props include:
- Anytime goalscorer
- Player shots or shots on target
- Player assists
- To be booked
- Total shots on target (combined)
- Team shot on target
Unlike traditional bets, prop bets let you target individual matchups or player roles. Simply put, you can back a high-volume shooter, attack a referee trend, or back an elite striker to score.
Since props are a bit more specialized, pricing errors can occur more often than in main markets.
If you follow player usage, tactics, and lineup news closely, props can offer value that standard moneyline bets do not.
Futures
Futures are long-term bets placed before or during a season or tournament. Instead of betting on a single match, you are wagering on an outcome that will play out over weeks (for a tournament) or months (domestic league seasons).
Common future bets you can make include:
- League winner (Premier League, Serie A, La Liga)
- World Cup winner
- To qualify from group
- Golden Boot winner
Futures odds consistently fluctuate based on results, injuries, form, and betting action. A strong start in league play can shorten a team's price drastically, while a key injury can have the opposite effect.
Betting on the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup expands to 48 teams, increasing the number of group-stage matches and betting opportunities.
Group-stage matches can end in a draw and are graded after 90 minutes.
In the knockout rounds, matches may go to extra time and penalties, but most standard markets are still graded on regulation unless listed as “to advance.”
For current tournament markets, visit:
Understanding the format is essential before betting on the world’s biggest tournament.
Soccer betting strategy
Know the grading rules
This is the mistake that costs beginners the most money.
Different books grade markets differently. Some void a goalscorer bet if the player does not start. Others take action if he plays even one minute.
Extra time rules also vary. A three-way moneyline is settled after 90 minutes, but many player props include extra time. If your striker scores in the 110th minute, you need to know whether your book counts it.
Watch lineups
Starting elevens are released 60 to 90 minutes before kickoff, and markets can move fast.
In tournaments like the World Cup, teams that have already qualified often rotate heavily in the final group match. Following press conferences, injury reports, and managerial tendencies can give you an edge before the market adjusts.
Understand motivation
Context matters.
For smaller nations, stealing a draw against a powerhouse can be as valuable as three points. That changes tactics. A team playing for a point approaches the match very differently than one that must win.
Recognizing those scenarios helps explain totals, spreads, and price movement.
Shop for the best price
Small price differences compound over time.
Different sportsbooks excel in different markets. One may offer stronger player prop pricing, another better handicap options.
Always compare before locking in a bet.
Soccer betting forum
Want to learn more about betting on soccer and meet a large, knowledgeable community? Check out Covers’ soccer betting forum to get picks, ask questions, and learn from experienced sports bettors.
How to bet on soccer FAQS
There are a number of ways to bet on soccer. The most popular method is three-way moneyline odds.
You can bet on soccer at every legal online, mobile and retail sportsbook in the world.
You can bet on draws in soccer via the three-way moneyline odds, which offer odds on the game ending in a draw.
You can bet on soccer in the USA at various mobile, online and retail sportsbooks in states that offer legal sports wagering.
You can never know which team will win a game by the odds, but you can tell which team is the favorite by their odds. A favorite will have odds of -110 or less. Heavy favorites might have odds of -800. The means to win $100, you need to wager $800!
