Revealing the Simplest Way for Beginners to Understand Football Betting

Football has always had a huge appeal to people from all walks of life across the globe. Beyond being the king of sports and a source of entertainment, many now participate in football betting to express their passion and enhance their engagement with matches. If you’re also passionate about the sport and want to bet effectively, don’t miss out on this simple football betting guide from Win tips!

How to Read Asian Handicap Betting Odds

Asian Handicap (AH) betting is one of the most diverse and widely used betting types today. It is typically based on the number of goals scored to determine the outcome of bets.

Asian Handicap or "Spread" Betting

Level Ball (Draw No Bet)
With this bet, you win if the team you bet on wins. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. For example, in a match between Germany and France:

You win if Germany wins.

You lose if Germany loses.

You get your money back if the match is a draw.

This applies similarly to other draw handicap odds like 1, 2, 3...n: if the team you bet on wins by (n+1) goals, you win.

¼ Handicap (0.25 or Draw – Half Ball)
This means one team is slightly favored over the other by 0.25 goals.

If your team wins, you win the bet.

If it’s a draw, you lose half your stake.

If your team loses, you lose the full amount.

½ Handicap (0.5 or Half Ball)
In this case, the favorite gives a half-goal head start to the underdog.

If your chosen team wins, you win the bet.

If they draw or lose, you lose the entire stake.

¾ Handicap (0.75 or Half One)
If you bet on the favored team:

Win by 1 goal: you win half the bet.

Win by 2 or more: you win the full bet.

Draw or lose: you lose the entire stake.

See more: Top 5 most beautiful soccer players

1 Handicap (Level 1 Ball)
If you bet on the favored team:

Win by exactly 1 goal: your stake is refunded.

Win by 2 or more: you win.

Draw or lose: you lose.

2 Handicap (Level 2 Balls)
Similar to the 1-goal handicap:

Win by 2 goals: refund.

Win by 3 or more: you win.

Draw or lose: you lose.

How to Read European Odds (1x2)

European Betting (1x2) is considered the simplest and most straightforward form of betting at reputable legal bookmaker. You simply bet on the final outcome of the match:

Bet on 1: Home team wins.

Bet on x: Match ends in a draw.

Bet on 2: Away team wins.

How to Read Over/Under Betting (Totals)

Another popular way to bet is the Over/Under (O/U) method. This doesn’t concern which team wins or loses, but rather focuses on the total number of goals scored during the match. “Over” means more goals (higher than the set line), and “Under” means fewer goals.

O/U 2 Goals:

Exactly 2 goals: refund.

More than 2: Over wins.

Fewer than 2: Under wins.

O/U 2 ¼ Goals:

Bet Over:

Exactly 2 goals: lose half.

3 or more: win.

Bet Under:

Exactly 2 goals: win half.

Fewer than 2: win full.

O/U 2 ½ Goals:

Over:

3 or more goals: win.

2 or fewer: lose.

Under:

2 or fewer: win.

3 or more: lose.

O/U 2 ¾ Goals:

Over:

Exactly 3 goals: win half.

4 or more: win full.

Under:

Exactly 3: lose half.

Fewer than 3: win.

Top 3 Football Betting Strategies to Win Consistently

1. Always Give Priority to the Underdog
Underdogs are teams that most bettors deem weaker and are therefore given a handicap. But football is full of surprises—just because a top team is playing doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to win. So don't ignore the underdog—they might deliver a shock result!

2. Never Underestimate the Away Team
Bookmakers often favor home teams, assuming that away teams face disadvantages like travel fatigue and unfamiliar stadiums. But these factors aren’t always decisive. In fact, away teams often spring the biggest surprises. If both teams are fairly matched, consider backing the away side.

3. Pick High Odds to Maximize Profit
High odds often come with lower chances of winning, while low odds offer safer, but smaller returns. Many players prefer lower odds hoping for a higher success rate. However, betting smart—sometimes going against the crowd—can be a wise strategy, especially in football where upsets are common.

Above are the key tips on how to read football betting odds along with three top strategies provided by Wintips – the number one bookmaker. To start betting and experiencing the thrill today, be sure to visit Wintips!