Football betting markets explained

Football is the sport with the deepest betting menus, and the one where the draw changes everything. A three-way result means the favourite can be priced generously and still lose half of its value to a single goal either way. This guide walks through the main markets and the settlement details behind them. It is a general explanation; whether Boomerang runs a sportsbook, and which competitions it covers, should be checked on the operator's website.

Match result (1X2)

Home, draw or away, settled after regular time including stoppage time. Because there are three outcomes, implied probabilities are spread more thinly than in two-way sports. Illustrative example, not Boomerang's prices: Home 1.95 (51.3%), Draw 3.50 (28.6%), Away 4.20 (23.8%) — a total of 103.7%, so a 3.7% margin.

Double chance and draw no bet

Double chance covers two of the three outcomes in one bet (home or draw, away or draw, home or away). Draw no bet returns your stake if the match is drawn. Both reduce risk and pay accordingly less. They are useful when you think a side will not lose, but are unsure it will win.

Handicaps

European handicaps shift the score by whole goals and keep a draw outcome. Asian handicaps use half and quarter lines to remove the draw: a −0.5 line is a plain win bet; −0.25 splits your stake between 0 and −0.5, so a draw loses only half. Read the settlement table for quarter lines once — it saves confusion later.

Totals and both teams to score

Over/under markets bet on the number of goals, usually around a 2.5 line. "Both teams to score" asks only whether each side finds the net. These markets are independent of the winner and are driven by tempo, injuries, weather and tactics. Corners and cards markets work the same way with different statistics.

Player and specials markets

Goalscorer, shots and assists markets carry higher margins and specific rules for players who do not start or are substituted. Always check whether a non-starter voids the bet. Specials such as "to qualify" include extra time and penalties, unlike the 1X2 market.

Football bets and bonuses

Sports offers often require a minimum price per selection and sometimes a minimum number of legs, which pushes players toward football accumulators. Illustrative example, not Boomerang's terms: with a minimum of 1.70 per leg, a double of 1.65 and 2.20 does not qualify even though the combined price is 3.63. The bet still counts as a normal bet; it just does nothing for the bonus. See the bet types page for accumulator maths and the bonus terms guide for qualifying-bet clauses.

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Football betting FAQ

Does a 1X2 bet include extra time?

Usually not. Match-result markets are normally settled on the result after regular time plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties count only in markets that say so, such as 'to qualify' or 'to lift the trophy'.

What is draw no bet?

A market where your stake is returned if the match ends in a draw. Because the draw outcome is removed, the odds are lower than a straight win bet on the same team.

Are player props settled if the player does not start?

That depends on the bookmaker's rules. Some void the bet if the player does not take part, others settle it as a loss. Check the market rules before betting.

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