GUIDE
Sports Interaction Staff
July 14, 2021

How to Bet on Soccer: A Complete Guide

Globally, no sport is more popular than soccer, or football, as it’s known everywhere outside North America. Soccer betting is the largest wagering market in the world, and if you’re a fan who’s new to betting, this guide is for you. We’ll cover the basics of soccer odds, the most popular bet types, strategies to help you make smarter wagers, and a step-by-step guide to placing your first bet at Sports Interaction.

Why Bet on Soccer?

Global reach: Billions of fans, dozens of major leagues, and tournaments like the World Cup and Champions League.

Match frequency: Games happen every day, unlike some North American sports.

Unique dynamics: Draws are common, goals are scarce, and one red card can change everything.

Variety of options: From simple win bets to futures and live betting, there’s something for every style of bettor.

How to Read Soccer Odds

Odds tell you two things: how much you’ll win, and how likely an outcome is according to the sportsbook. At Sports Interaction you’ll mostly see American odds, but here’s how they compare to other formats:

Odds Format	Example	Meaning	Implied Probability
American (+)	+200	Bet $100 → profit $200	33.3%
American (–)	-150	Bet $150 → profit $100	60%
Decimal	3.00	Every $1 returns $3 total	33.3%
Fractional	5/2	“Five to two” odds	28.6%

Pro Tip: Positive odds show profit on a $100 bet. Negative odds show how much you must risk to win $100.

Example: Above, we see Man City priced at -150 while Manchester United is priced at +360.

If you want to bet City at -150, you’d need to risk $150 to profit $100. That reflects the fact they’re favourites and that the sportsbook expects them to win more often than not.

If you bet United at +360, a $100 stake would profit $360 (total return $460). That big payout reflects their underdog status, meaning they are less likely to win, but rewarding if they pull off the upset.

So the odds don’t just tell you the payout, they also show who the sportsbook thinks has the better chance of winning.

Another Example: Ukraine are +800 underdogs vs France -285 favourites. A $100 bet on Ukraine would win $800 profit. A $285 bet on France would win $100 profit.

Types of Soccer Bets

3-Way Moneyline (1X2)

Soccer’s most basic bet. Unlike many North American sports, soccer matches can end in a tie — which means you have three possible outcomes to wager on:

Team A wins
Team B wins
Draw (X)

Canada +180 (profit $180 on a $100 bet if they win)
Wales +140 (profit $140 on a $100 bet if they win)
Draw +230 (profit $230 on a $100 bet if it ends level after 90 minutes)

If the match ends 1–1 after regulation, only “Draw” tickets cash.

Key reminder: 1X2 bets are always settled at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count unless specified.

Draw No Bet (Two-Way Moneyline)

Removes the draw option. If the match ends tied, your stake is refunded.

Why bet it? Safer than the 3-way if you want to back a team without risking a tie.

Double Chance

Covers two of the three outcomes:

Team A or Draw
Team B or Draw
Either Team A or Team B win

Example: Real Sociedad or Tie +115. You win unless Madrid win outright.

Why bet it? Great for underdogs or when you expect a cagey match.

Over/Under Goals

Bet whether the total goals will be over or under a set number.
Example: France vs Ukraine Over 2.5 goals -150. Three or more goals needed to cash.

Why bet it? Perfect if you expect an open game but don’t want to pick a side.

Both Teams to Score (BTTS)

Bet on whether both sides score at least once.

Example: Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid: BTTS Yes -130, No -110. A 2–1 result hits Yes.

Handicap Betting

Levels the playing field between strong favourites and underdogs.

Asian Handicap uses fractions like +0.25 or -1.75, splitting stakes across two lines.
Example: Guadeloupe +1.25 vs Jamaica -1.75. Lose 1–0? You push half, win half.
European Handicap uses whole numbers and keeps the draw as an outcome.

Why bet it? Adds flexibility and reduces variance compared to a straight win bet.

Correct Score

Predict the exact final score, like 1–0 or 2–2. Odds are long, payouts big.

Why bet it? High-risk, high-reward with fun small-stake bet for bold predictions.

First/Anytime Goalscorer

Pick a player to score first, last, or anytime.

Why bet it? Great if you follow form; penalty takers and strikers on hot streaks are prime options.

Parlays / Accumulators

Combine multiple bets into one ticket for bigger returns.
Example: Madrid to win (-150) + Over 2.5 goals (-135).

Why bet it? Parlays offer huge payouts but high risk. Best for fun, not long-term profit.

Futures

Futures are bets on tournaments or leagues before they conclude, like picking the Premier League champion at the start of the season. The odds reflect both likelihood and potential payout.

Example: Here’s a snapshot of Premier League futures:

Liverpool +130 → As the favourite, a $100 bet would profit $130 (total return $230).
Arsenal +188 → Slightly less favoured, a $100 bet would profit $188 (total return $288).
Manchester City +650 → A $100 bet would profit $650 (total return $750).
Chelsea +700 → A $100 bet would profit $700 (total return $800).
Tottenham +3300 → A true long shot. A $100 bet would profit $3,300 (total return $3,400) if Spurs pulled it off.

Why bet it? Futures give you the chance to back your prediction for the season and lock in potentially huge returns. They’re long-term plays, so your money is tied up until the outcome is decided, but if you hit on an underdog, the payout can be massive.

Live (In-Play) Betting

Bet during the match as odds update in real time.
Example: Brøndby -200 favourites to score next vs Sonderjyske +300 underdogs.

Why bet it? Lets you react to momentum shifts, red cards, or in-game trends.

How Soccer Bets Are Settled

Most soccer bets settle at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage. Extra time and penalties don’t count unless specified (like “To Qualify”). Always check the market rules.

Soccer Betting Tips and Strategies

Bankroll management: Bet 1–2% of your bankroll per wager.
Value betting: Look for odds better than your own estimate of fair probability.
Track data: Shots, xG, possession – not just reputation.
Respect the draw: Don’t ignore the X on the moneyline.
Check lineups: Rested strikers or missing defenders matter.
Avoid common mistakes: Misreading odds (+200 vs +150), misunderstanding handicaps, chasing parlays.

Popular Soccer Competitions to Bet On

FIFA World Cup
UEFA Champions League
English Premier League
La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga
Major League Soccer (MLS)

How to Place a Bet at Sports Interaction

Sign up and verify your account.
Deposit funds securely.
Choose a match (like Madrid vs Sociedad).
Pick your market (Over 2.5, 1X2, BTTS).
Enter your stake and confirm.
Track your bet slip – cash out if it fits your plan.

FAQs: Soccer Betting

What’s the easiest soccer bet?
Double Chance. You cover two of the three possible results, so it’s easier to hit.
Example: Bet “Team A or Draw” – you only lose if Team B wins outright.

What does +200 mean in odds?
It shows how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.
Example: A $100 bet at +200 pays $200 profit (total return $300).

What does -150 mean in odds?
It shows how much you need to risk to win $100 profit.
Example: A $150 bet at -150 pays $100 profit (total return $250).

What does +1.5 mean in soccer betting?
It’s a handicap. Your team starts with a 1.5-goal advantage. You win as long as they don’t lose by two or more.
Example: Bet Team A +1.5, final score is 2–1 against them, you still win.

How do you win big on soccer betting?
Two main ways: consistently finding value (odds that are better than they should be), or hitting a long-shot parlay.
Example: A $10 three-leg parlay at combined odds of +600 would return $60 profit.