Learn the basics of betting on soccer, including an explanation of the bet types, as well as tips and strategies to make you a smarter bettor.

As the popularity of the sport continues to rise in the United States thanks to elite talent leaving Europe to play Stateside (think David Beckham, Lionel Messi, etc) the amount of action and attention has multiplied. 

With MLS season now underway, and the Champions League into the knockout rounds, now is a perfect time to jump into the mix with soccer betting. 

Join me as I break down the ins and outs of betting on the beautiful game and always choose a reliable soccer betting platforms. 

Soccer betting lines explained 

To understand soccer betting lines, you need to understand soccer and the essential workings of the sport. Generally, soccer is a low-scoring sport played over 90 minutes (two 45-minute halves).

Soccer matches, unlike most other sports, do not always provide a zero-sum result. In a regulation match, you can have a winner, a loser, or a draw when the two teams tie.

Most soccer matches are limited to regulation time, along with added "stoppage time" calculated by the officials throughout the match. Because of this, most soccer betting lines are designated and graded on the 90-minute regulation time result.

Some matches, however, are "knockout matches" where teams are eliminated via a result. In those instances, the teams play two 15-minute halves of "extra time" as the result of a draw. The teams decide the match by penalty kicks (shootout) if necessary.

Soccer moneylines

The moneyline is the most basic way to bet on any sport. It simply asks you to pick a winner, designating a set of odds for each side based on their implied probability of winning the game. 

However, because soccer is a low-scoring game and can end in a tie after 90 minutes of play, the three-way moneyline is the preferred method of betting on soccer odds.

3-way soccer moneylines

The three-way moneyline allows soccer bettors to wager on the match's final result, including a win for either side or a draw after regulation time. This line features a 1X2 format in which you have a win for Team 1, a draw, and a win for Team 2. 

The oddsmakers designate each team with the odds to win based on how the two teams match up, the probability of a side winning, and the odds of them being tied after 90 minutes.

The three-way moneyline is available for the full-time result and the half-time result. Most matches will have a three-way half-time line, and the prices tend to favor the draw more than a side, given there is even less time to score a goal for either team. Some books will even offer a second-half three-way moneyline, with only the result of the second 45 minutes coming into play.

2-way soccer moneylines 

The two-way moneyline in soccer betting removes the draw option from the equation and adjusts the odds on either side to reflect the likelihood of a win versus a loss. A win on either side would pay out to those who wagered on it, while a draw would cancel all bets and return the stakes to the bettors. 

Most sites list this as a "draw no bet" action. It is trendy in tournament or knockout play as it covers the entirety of a match–not just regulation. However, it's important to note the rules for each book for the "draw no bet" line, as some will grade it after regulation as a "push" or "no action" if the score is tied. In that instance, the sportsbook returns your original stake.

Typically for a knockout or tournament match where a winner is required, the two-way moneyline will be listed as a bet to "qualify" or "advance."

Soccer double chance lines

Double chance lines allow you to protect against the three-way moneyline, much like the draw no bet does. However, rather than removing Draw, double chance lets you place a wager on two of the three outcomes simultaneously. The benefit is placing a wager on a winning or drawing team without having to take twice the risk by betting on both outcomes individually.

Soccer spreads

Another way to bet on soccer odds is the spread – also known as the point spread or handicap. Sportsbooks commonly set soccer spreads between 0.5 and 2 goals. Still, they can be wider depending on the competition between the two teams. As with any other sport, there will be a negative number–or laying goals--for the favored team, while the underdog will have a plus number–or getting goals.

For example, the favorite to win the match could have a spread of -1.5, meaning they would need to win the match by two or more goals to cover the spread. Conversely, the underdog would need to lose by one goal or fewer to cover–or win the match outright.

Soccer futures

Futures can be a fun, profitable way to turn your knowledge of the bigger picture into a large payday. Futures are long-running odds markets often decided before a season or tournament begins or updated after each matchday or round. Soccer futures odds change throughout a campaign or event, adjusting to results, injuries, trends, and betting action.

Bettors can place futures bets on a variety of different markets, including both team results and individual accolades. Common futures markets in soccer include winners of competitions, team relegation, and which individual player will score the most goals (or the Golden Boot winner).