1X2 Betting Explained — Three-Way Match Result at me88
1X2 is the simplest and most widely played football bet in Malaysia. You pick one of three outcomes — home win (1), draw (X), or away win (2) — and the bet settles at 90 minutes. Whether you are a first-time bettor or looking to understand double chance and draw no bet variations, this guide covers everything you need to know about 1X2 markets at me88. For markets that remove the draw entirely, see our Asian Handicap guide.
Start Betting NowHow 1X2 Betting Works
1X2 betting gives you three choices for any football match: 1 means the home team wins, X means the match ends in a draw, and 2 means the away team wins. Your selection is settled at full-time, which includes 90 minutes of regular play plus any stoppage time added by the referee. Extra time and penalty shootouts do not count — the result is taken the moment the referee blows for full-time.
Because there are three possible outcomes rather than two, the draw “steals” probability from both teams. This means the favourite's 1X2 odds will be lower than their equivalent Asian Handicap price, since AH removes the draw from the equation. On average, roughly 25% of top-flight football matches end in a draw, so the X is a genuine betting option, not just a fallback.
Despite this, 1X2 remains the most played market in football betting globally because of its simplicity. There are no handicaps to calculate, no half-goal splits to understand — just pick the team you think will win (or the draw) and watch the match. It is the perfect starting point for new bettors and a dependable core market for experienced players.
1X2 vs Asian Handicap vs Over/Under
Knowing which market to use is as important as picking the right team. Each bet type serves a different purpose and suits different match situations.
Use 1X2 When…
The match is evenly contested, you want exposure to the draw outcome, or you prefer the simplest possible market. Also ideal when you have a strong read on home advantage in a balanced fixture.
Use Asian Handicap When…
There is a clear favourite and the 1X2 price is too short. AH eliminates the draw, giving better odds on the stronger team. Best for lopsided fixtures where a draw is unlikely.
Use Over/Under When…
You have no strong opinion on who will win but expect the match to be high or low scoring. Over/Under is completely independent of the match result — focus on goals, not teams.
| Feature | 1X2 | Asian Handicap | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outcomes | 3 (home/draw/away) | 2 (win/lose) | 2 (over/under) |
| Draw included? | Yes | No (push on whole lines) | Irrelevant |
| Best for | Even contests, draw value | Clear favourite, better value | Goal totals, no winner view |
| Complexity | Simple | Moderate | Simple |
1X2 on Football
Football is the natural home of 1X2 betting. The market was built for the sport precisely because football is the world's most popular game where draws are a genuine and frequent result. In Europe's top five leagues — Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 — around 25% of all matches end level after 90 minutes. This makes the draw (X) a valuable betting option, often priced between 3.00 and 4.00.
Home advantage plays a larger role in 1X2 than in most other markets. Strong home teams playing in front of their own supporters carry a measurable edge, and backing “1” at competitive odds can be a reliable long-term strategy. Cup competitions, however, tend to produce fewer draws than league football because teams chase knockout victories, which means away wins (2) appear more frequently in early cup rounds.
At me88, you will find 1X2 markets across every major football competition from the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League to the Malaysia Super League and AFC Cup. For a full guide to football markets and competitions available at me88, visit our football betting page.
Double Chance Betting
Double Chance is a reduced-risk variation of 1X2 that covers two of the three possible outcomes in a single bet. Instead of picking one result, you cover two — and your bet loses only if the one result you left out occurs. This makes Double Chance one of the safest football markets available.
1X — Home or Draw
Your bet wins if the home team wins or the match ends in a draw. The only losing outcome is an away win (2).
Best when: You favour the home team but are not fully confident they will win outright.
X2 — Draw or Away
Your bet wins if the match draws or the away team wins. The only losing outcome is a home win (1).
Best when: You back the away side but want draw protection on the road.
12 — Home or Away
Your bet wins if either team wins outright. The only losing outcome is a draw (X).
Best when: You expect a decisive result and the draw seems unlikely given both teams' attacking form.
Because you are covering two outcomes instead of one, Double Chance odds are naturally lower than a straight 1X2 selection. The trade-off is a significantly higher probability of winning. Double Chance is ideal when you lean toward a result but are not confident enough to take the single outcome at shorter odds.
Draw No Bet
Draw No Bet (DNB) is a 1X2 variation that removes the draw outcome entirely. You back either the home or away team, and if the match ends in a draw your stake is fully refunded — it is treated as a push (void). You only lose if the team you backed is beaten outright.
This effectively mirrors a 0 Asian Handicap — the same result, just presented differently. DNB bridges the simplicity of 1X2 with the draw protection of Asian Handicap. Because you are buying insurance against the draw, Draw No Bet odds sit slightly below the straight 1X2 win price for the same team. The difference is usually small, making it an attractive option when the draw feels like a genuine risk.
Draw No Bet is especially popular in close fixtures between similarly-ranked opponents where neither team is dominant but you still have a slight preference for one side. The refund on a draw means your downside is limited to matches where your chosen team actually loses, rather than also losing on a stalemate.
Reading 1X2 Odds
Understanding what 1X2 odds represent in terms of implied probability helps you spot value. Each set of odds can be converted to a probability using a simple formula: divide 1 by the decimal odds, then multiply by 100.
Example: Liverpool vs Everton
1.55
Liverpool (1)
Implied: 64.5%
4.20
Draw (X)
Implied: 23.8%
5.50
Everton (2)
Implied: 18.2%
Total implied probability: 106.5% — the extra 6.5% above 100% is the bookmaker overround (margin). This is how sportsbooks make their profit.
The draw is often where bookmakers disagree most in their pricing, creating the greatest potential for value. If you believe a draw is more likely than the implied 23.8%, backing X at 4.20 represents positive expected value. For a deeper understanding of how odds formats and implied probabilities work, visit our sports odds explained page.
me88 offers 1X2 markets across multiple sportsbook providers, and odds can differ between providers for the same match. Always compare prices before placing your bet to ensure you are getting the best available return.
1X2 in Mix Parlay
1X2 is the most common building block in mix parlay betting. Its simplicity makes it easy to combine multiple selections across different matches and leagues into one accumulated bet with a multiplied payout. A popular approach is backing strong home teams across several simultaneous matches — bundling three or four “1” selections from different European leagues into a single parlay ticket.
You can also mix 1X2 selections with Over/Under or Asian Handicap picks from the same matches. For example, backing Liverpool to win (1) combined with Over 2.5 goals in the same match on a parlay increases the odds while still reflecting a coherent view of how the game will play out. This combination strategy is widely used by Malaysian bettors at me88.
1X2 is also available on live betting markets at me88, where odds update in real-time as the match progresses. Live 1X2 can offer excellent value if the scoreline changes unexpectedly — for instance, backing the draw at 2.50 when a strong team goes behind in the first half but form suggests they will equalise. Deposit easily using our supported Malaysian payment methods and start building your parlay today.
1X2 Betting FAQ
1X2 is a three-way betting market where 1 means the home team wins, X means the match ends in a draw, and 2 means the away team wins. It is the simplest football bet available. Your selection is settled on the 90-minute full-time result, not including extra time or penalties.
It depends on the match. Asian Handicap offers better odds by removing the draw outcome, making it ideal when there is a clear favourite. However, 1X2 lets you back the draw — which often pays 3.00 or more and represents genuine value in evenly matched games. Use Asian Handicap for lopsided fixtures, and 1X2 when a draw is a realistic outcome.
Double Chance covers two of the three 1X2 outcomes in a single bet. 1X covers home win or draw (loses only if away wins), X2 covers draw or away win (loses only if home wins), and 12 covers home or away win (loses only on a draw). You receive lower odds in exchange for a significantly higher probability of winning — a good option when you lean toward a result but want extra coverage.
Moneyline betting, common in American sports such as basketball and baseball, is a two-way market with no draw option. 1X2 is a three-way market that includes the draw as a valid outcome. In sports where draws cannot occur — tennis, basketball — the concepts are effectively the same. Football uses 1X2 because draws happen in roughly 25% of matches, making them a meaningful and frequently bet outcome.
No. Standard 1X2 bets are settled at full-time, which is 90 minutes plus stoppage time added by the referee. Extra time, penalty shootouts, and golden goal periods are not included unless the market is specifically labelled “including extra time.” If a cup match goes to extra time after a draw at 90 minutes, the 1X2 result is already settled — the draw (X) wins.