Most people think sports betting starts and ends with the final score. That’s only part of the story. Some bets let you follow the match as it unfolds, adding extra excitement to every moment.

First half/full time bets are a great example. With these, you predict who’s leading at halftime and who wins at full time. It might sound a little tricky at first, but it’s actually simple and makes watching the game way more fun.

Let’s dive in and see how these bets work.

What Are First Half/Full Time Bets?

A first half/full time bet is a single bet where you predict both the result at the end of the first half and the final result at full time.

Unlike a standard full-time bet, where you only predict who will win or if the game ends in a draw, this bet requires you to get two predictions right in one bet.

Here is a breakdown of the 9 possible outcomes:

Example: If you bet on Draw/Home and the game is 0-0 at half time and the home team wins 2-1 at full time, your bet wins.

Which Are The Most Probable Outcomes In A First Half/Full Time Bet?

Odds can change a lot from one match to another, but some patterns tend to repeat. Usually, the most likely outcomes are either that the first half ends in a draw, or that the same team is leading at halftime and goes on to win by full time.

Outcomes that involve a turnaround in the match are generally less likely and bookmakers offer higher odds.

• 1/2 (home team leading at half time, away team wins full time) and 2/1 (away team leading at half time, home team wins full time) are known as full turnarounds and typically have the highest prematch odds. 
• The markets 1/X and 2/X are partial turnarounds. They have lower odds than full turnarounds but are still higher than the more probable outcomes (1/1, 2/2, X/X, X/1, X/2).

First Half/Full Time Odds Example

To break it down further, let’s take a look at the latest odds from Draftkings for the upcoming Coppa Italia match between Napoli and Como. It’s a close match up and both teams have almost equal chance of winning according to the standard 1×2 market:

• Napoli to win: +175
• Draw: +200
• Como to win: +175

The first half/full time market looks like that:

As you can see, the full turnarounds have odds between +2500 and +2800, the partial turnarounds are at +1200, while the rest of the outcomes are between +295 and +450.

First Half/Full Time vs Similar Markets

First half/full time bets are different from the usual bets like full-time, first half winner, second half winner or win both halves markets.

• With Full-Time 1X2 bets, you only predict the final result of the match: home win, draw, or away win.
• With First Half and Second Half bets, you predict what the result will be just for that half time.
• With the market Win Both Halves you are betting whether the team will go and win both the first and second halves. If they win the match but just win one of the halves, a bet on “Win Both Halves – Yes” would lose. 

First half/full time bets are like a double challenge. You’re predicting two outcomes instead of just one. So let’s take a look at some examples and it will all become much clearer.

Example 1: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Let’s say that the latest El Classico ends 3:3 where Real Madrid leads 3:0 at half time and Barcelona manages to turn things around in the second half making it 3:3. Here are the winning markets in this outcome:

• First half/full time market: 1/X (home team leads at half time, and we have a draw at full time)
• First half only: 1 (Real Madrid leads at half time)
• Second half only: 2 (Barcelona wins the second half 0:3)
• Full time only: X (since the match ended in a draw)
• Win Both Halves: No for both teams (as Real Madrid and Barcelona won just one half each). 

Example 2: Liverpool vs Manchester City

Another example is a Premier League derby where Liverpool beats Manchester City. The result at half time is 2:0 for Liverpool and it remains the same after 90 minutes. These are the winning markets:

• First half/full time market: 1/1 (home team leading at half time and winning at full time)
• First half only: 1 (Liverpool leads with 2 goals to nothing at half time)
• Second half only: X (the result of the second half is 0-0 and that’s a draw)
• Full time only: 1 (Liverpool wins the match at full time)
• Win Both Halves: No for both teams (even if Liverpool won the match and conceded no goals, they didn’t win the second half).

Can You Use First Half/Full Time Bets for Matched Betting?

Yes! They can be used in matched betting too. If you have a qualifying condition to place a first half/full time bet, you can cover it by placing several back bets.

For example, you want to place a qualifying bet on the next game between AC Milan and Napoli, backing X/1 (first half draw, Milan to win at full time). To cover all possible outcomes using regular back bets, you need to bet on:

• First half/full time: X/X
• First half/full time: X/2
• Result of first half (double chance): 12

Or

• First half/full time: 1/1
• First half/full time: 2/1
• Full time result (double chance): X2

Both combinations cover all possible outcomes for the qualifying bet X/1. While it is feasible to place them, you need to calculate carefully and make sure that you are on profit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1/X, X/2 or 2/1 mean in first half/full time betting?

The first symbol refers to the result at half time, and the second refers to the result at full time. For example, 1/X means the home team leads at half time and the match ends in a draw.

Why are the odds higher for first half/full time bets?

Because you need to predict two outcomes correctly, the bet is more difficult than a standard 1X2 or first half bet.

Are all 9 outcome combinations available for betting?

Most bookmakers offer all 9 combinations, but availability may vary depending on the competition. 

Is extra time included in first half/full time bets?

No. First half/full time bets are settled based on the result after 45 minutes and 90 minutes only. Extra time and penalties do not count.

Does injury time count towards first half and full time results?

Yes. Injury time added at the end of each half is included when settling first half and full time bets.

Are first half/full time bets suitable for matched betting?

They can be used in matched betting, especially with free bets or qualifying bets, but they may require higher liabilities or careful market selection.

Why can first half/full time bets be harder to lay on a betting exchange?

These markets can have lower liquidity, and the higher odds often require a larger lay liability compared to standard match odds markets.

How can I get started with matched betting safely?

Matched betting can seem complicated at first. The key is to start with the basics, understand how backing and laying works, and practice using simpler markets. Click the button below to start your free trial with no commitment.