Football is the sport most Irish punters bet on, and it has more markets than most people realise. This guide covers the main ones and the things worth checking before you place a bet. It is a guide to how betting works, not a tipping service, and no bet is a sure thing.
The main football markets
- Match result (1X2): home win, draw or away win after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count.
- Double chance: two of the three results in one bet, such as home win or draw. Shorter odds, because it covers more.
- Draw no bet: if the match is drawn your stake is returned.
- Both teams to score: yes or no, whatever the result.
- Over/under goals: total goals above or below a line, usually 2.5.
- Handicap: one team starts with a goal advantage or deficit. Asian handicaps also use half and quarter lines.
- Correct score and goalscorer: bigger odds because they are harder to land.
Reading the odds
The bookmaker’s prices include a margin. Add up the implied chance of all three results in a match and you will get more than 100%. The gap is the bookmaker’s edge. If you are unsure about the formats, read how betting odds work.
What to check before you bet
- Team news: injuries, suspensions and likely line-ups can move prices.
- Form and fixtures: recent results, home and away record, and midweek fixtures or European games that may affect rotation.
- Motivation: teams with nothing to play for late in a season can behave differently.
- Market rules: check how a bookmaker settles your bet if a match is abandoned or postponed.
- Price shopping: the same bet can be a different price at different bookmakers.
Bet builders and accumulators
Combining selections raises the odds but also the risk, because every part must win. Bet builders combine outcomes from one match, and the price usually includes a larger margin than a single. Our bet types guide covers how each one works.
Keep it in perspective
Most punters lose money over time. Only bet what you can afford to lose, set a deposit limit before you start, and take a break if it stops being fun.
Ready to compare bookmakers? See our betting sites in Ireland, check how to confirm a bookmaker is licensed, or use the bet calculator. Set a limit before you bet: our responsible gambling page explains how.
18+. Please play responsibly, gambleaware.org. Tips and guides are opinion, not guarantees.
