What Does 1X Mean in Betting?
Learn what the 1X betting market means, how double chance bets are settled, and how it differs from X2, 12, and standard match-result betting.
1X in betting means that your selection wins if the home team wins or the match ends in a draw. It is known as the home-or-draw double chance market. Your bet loses only if the away team wins.
How the 1X betting market works
Football bookmakers commonly use the numbers 1, X, and 2 to describe the three possible match results:
- 1 means a home win.
- X means a draw.
- 2 means an away win.
The 1X option combines the first two outcomes. For example, if Manchester United are playing at home against Chelsea and you select 1X, your bet is successful if Manchester United win or the game finishes level. It is unsuccessful if Chelsea win.
Because 1X covers two of the three standard match outcomes, its odds are usually lower than the odds for selecting a home win alone. The market offers more protection against a draw, but that reduced risk generally means a smaller potential return.
1X betting examples
| Final result | Outcome for a 1X bet |
|---|---|
| Home team wins | Win |
| Match is drawn | Win |
| Away team wins | Loss |
Suppose you place a $20 1X bet at decimal odds of 1.40. If the home team wins or draws, the total return is $28, including your original stake. If the away team wins, the stake is lost. The exact odds and payout depend on the bookmaker and the match.
1X compared with other double chance bets
Understanding the other double chance combinations makes the 1X meaning easier to remember:
- 1X: home win or draw.
- X2: draw or away win.
- 12: home win or away win, meaning the match cannot finish as a draw.
A 1X selection is often considered when the home side is expected to avoid defeat but there is uncertainty about whether it will win. X2 serves the same purpose for the away team. The 12 market removes the draw from the possible winning outcomes and can suit matches where a decisive result is expected.
Is 1X the same as a home win bet?
No. A standard home-win bet is successful only when the home team wins. A 1X double chance bet also wins when the match ends in a draw. This makes 1X less demanding, but bookmakers normally offer lower odds than they do for a home win.
1X is also different from a draw-no-bet selection. With draw no bet, a draw usually results in the stake being returned, while a 1X bet treats a draw as a winning result. Always check the market rules shown by the bookmaker before placing a wager, especially for postponed matches, abandoned games, or competitions with unusual settlement terms.
When bettors use the 1X market
Bettors may choose 1X when the home team has a strong record of avoiding defeat, when the away side has struggled on the road, or when the expected match is close. Team news, recent performances, injuries, suspensions, home advantage, and the importance of the fixture can all affect whether the market is suitable.
Past results do not guarantee the outcome of a future match. Compare the available odds with your own assessment of the three possible results, and remember that every betting market carries the risk of losing money. Only bet within limits you can afford.
