Win or Draw Bet Meaning: What Does It Cover?
A win or draw bet is a double-chance football wager that succeeds if the selected team wins or the match ends level. Learn how it works, what happens if the team loses, and how it differs from other betting markets.
The win or draw bet meaning is straightforward: you are backing one team to either win the match or finish with a draw. The bet loses only if that team is defeated. This market is also known as double chance 1X, where “1” represents the home team and “X” represents a draw.
How a win or draw bet works
Suppose you select the home team in a win or draw market. Your bet has two winning outcomes:
- The home team wins.
- The match ends in a draw.
The only losing result is an away win. If the final score is 2–0 for the home team, the bet wins. If the score is 1–1, it also wins. If the away team wins 0–1, the bet loses.
In betting terminology, this selection is usually written as 1X. The equivalent option for the away team is X2, meaning the away team must win or draw. A bet covering either team to win, but not the draw, is shown as 12.
Win or draw versus a normal match-winner bet
A standard football match-winner bet requires you to choose one exact result: home win, draw, or away win. A win or draw selection covers two of those three outcomes, so it gives the bettor more protection against a drawn match.
That extra coverage normally comes with lower odds than betting on the team to win outright. For example, backing a strong home side to win may offer higher potential returns, while choosing home win or draw generally offers a smaller return because two results are covered.
| Bet type | Winning results | Losing results |
|---|---|---|
| Home win | Home win | Draw or away win |
| Win or draw (1X) | Home win or draw | Away win |
| Away win or draw (X2) | Away win or draw | Home win |
| Either team wins (12) | Home win or away win | Draw |
Is a win or draw bet the same as a double chance bet?
Yes. “Win or draw” is one form of the double chance football betting market. Double chance bets combine two possible match outcomes into one selection:
- 1X: home win or draw
- X2: draw or away win
- 12: home win or away win
The numbers can look unfamiliar at first, but they refer to the traditional three-way result market: 1 for the home team, X for a draw, and 2 for the away team.
What happens if the match is postponed or abandoned?
Bookmakers usually have specific settlement rules for postponed, abandoned, or rescheduled matches. In many cases, a fixture that does not start on the scheduled date is void and the stake is returned, although the exact deadline can vary by operator and competition.
If a match is abandoned after kick-off, the outcome may depend on the bookmaker’s rules and whether the result has already been determined. Check the market terms before placing a bet, particularly for cup matches, youth competitions, and fixtures affected by weather or crowd trouble.
Does extra time count?
For most football win-or-draw markets, the result is settled using the score after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalty shootouts usually do not count unless the market specifically says otherwise. Markets for a match to qualify, lift a trophy, or win after extra time are settled differently.
Always check whether the selection is labelled 90-minute result, to qualify, or something similar. These markets can have different settlement conditions even when they refer to the same fixture.
Why do bettors use win or draw bets?
A win or draw wager can suit a match where a team appears unlikely to lose but may not be reliable enough to back for an outright victory. Analysts may consider home advantage, recent performances, defensive strength, injuries, league position, and the opponent’s away record before choosing 1X or X2.
However, covering two results does not guarantee value. The odds may be too low for the level of risk involved, and a team that avoids defeat frequently may still be overpriced. Compare the available odds with your own assessment rather than treating double chance as a risk-free bet.
Common mistakes with win or draw bets
- Confusing 1X with 12: 1X includes the draw, while 12 loses if the game finishes level.
- Assuming extra time counts: standard match-result markets usually use the score after regular time.
- Ignoring the selected team: “win or draw” only makes sense alongside the team named in the selection.
- Focusing only on recent form: injuries, tactics, schedule congestion, and matchup details can also affect the result.
- Overlooking the odds: a higher probability does not automatically mean a profitable bet.
Bet only where gambling is legal, set a spending limit, and treat the stake as money that could be lost. No football betting market is guaranteed.
