If you have ever looked at online sportsbooks and checked the betting markets for a sport like soccer, you may have come across the term 1X2. It might not be immediately clear what 1X2 means, but once you understand it, it is one of the simplest ways to wager on the result of a game. 

So, what is 1X2 in sports betting? The term refers to a three-outcome betting market. The symbols represent the three possible results: 1 for a home-team win, X for a draw and 2 for an away-team win.

Understanding how these markets work can help you make more informed decisions when comparing the different betting options at Canadian online sportsbooks.

What Does 1X2 Mean in Sports Betting?

The easiest way to understand what 1X2 means in sports betting is to break down each part of it:

  • 1: The home team wins
  • X: The game ends in a draw
  • 2: The away team wins

For example, let’s take an MLS match and apply the 1X2 betting odds to it. Let’s say Toronto FC and CF Montreal were playing a game in Toronto. 

1 – Toronto FC wins
X – Draw
2 – CF Montreal wins

If you select 1, your bet wins if Toronto FC wins. This is the same as betting on Toronto FC on the moneyline. 

If the game finishes as a draw and you selected X, your bet wins. For obvious reasons, this will nearly always have the lowest odds and highest payout. 

Selecting 2 means you are betting on FC Montreal to win. 

How Does 1X2 Sports Betting Work?

1X2 sports betting Ontario is particularly common and popular for betting on soccer, because draws are a frequent outcome of matches. 1X2 betting does not really work with sports like hockey or basketball, which require a winner of the game. 

Here is an example of 1X2 betting with real payouts:

Suppose that the soccer match between Toronto FC and FC Montreal has these 1X2 odds:

  • Toronto FC: +100
  • Draw: +250
  • CF Montreal: +175

If you bet $10 on Toronto FC at odds of +100, your total return would be $20 if Toronto FC wins, or $10 of profit after your initial bet. 

A $10 bet on the draw at +250 would return $35 if the match finished as a draw. 

1X2 vs. Moneyline Betting

One of the easier ways to wrap your head around 1X2 betting is to compare it to the traditional moneyline market. 

The moneyline is a two-way market: Team A wins or Team B wins. 1X2 is the same, except it adds the option for a draw as a third possible outcome. 

This is why 1X2 betting is much better for sports like soccer than it is for baseball or hockey. 1X2 betting is only applicable to sports with matches that can end in a draw. 

Why Do Bettors Use 1X2 Markets?

Once you understand 1X2 betting, it becomes a much simpler way to bet on games, especially for sports that can end in a draw. 

If you think the two sides are evenly matched, you can usually make more than a moneyline bet from the payout on a draw. Remember that even though the odds are lower for an outcome and the payout is greater, it does not always make it a valuable bet to place. 

The draw is an advantage of betting 1X2 over traditional moneyline markets. It allows you to bet on any of the true possible outcomes for the match. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1X2 mean in sports betting?

1X2 represents three possible outcomes: 1 is a home win, X is a draw, and 2 is an away win. It is commonly used for soccer and other sports where a draw is possible.

Is 1X2 the same as moneyline betting?

Not always. A traditional moneyline market may offer two possible outcomes, while a 1X2 market includes the draw as a third option. It is a more realistic version of the moneyline market for sports where a match can end in a draw. 

Can you bet on a draw with 1X2?

Yes. The X selection represents a draw. If you bet X and the game or match finishes in a draw, your wager wins. Always make sure you check your preferred sportsbook’s settlement rules surrounding the 1X2 market.