What Is a ‘Both Halves’ Bet? A Beginner’s Guide to Betting on Both Halves in Football

Why Are ‘Both Halves’ Bets So Confusing?

If you’ve ever browsed a football betting site, you might have seen the term “Both Halves” or “Team to Win Both Halves” and wondered what it actually means. At first glance, it sounds similar to other bets—maybe like a standard win or even a Half Time/Full Time bet. But it’s a bit different, and that difference can trip up beginners. So, what is a Both Halves bet, how does it work, and when should you consider using it? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Does a ‘Both Halves’ Bet Mean?

A ‘Both Halves’ bet is a wager that a team will win both the first half and the second half of a football match—as if each half were a separate mini-game. For your bet to win, your chosen team must outscore their opponent in each individual half.

Here’s the key: It’s not enough for your team to simply win the match overall. They must score more goals than the opposition in the first half, and then again in the second half. If either half is drawn or lost, your bet loses—even if your team wins the match.

How Is This Different from a Regular Win Bet?

With a regular win (Full Time Result) bet, you only care about the final score. If your team wins 2-1, you win your bet.

With a Both Halves bet, you need to split the match into two parts:
– Did your team score more goals than the opponent in the first half?
– Did your team score more goals than the opponent in the second half?

If the answer to both is yes, you win. If not, you lose.

Examples: How ‘Both Halves’ Bets Work in Practice

Let’s look at some real-world examples to make it clear.

Example 1: The Winning Scenario

Suppose Manchester United are playing against Norwich City. You bet on Manchester United to win both halves.

– First Half: Manchester United score 1, Norwich City score 0.
– Second Half: Manchester United score 2, Norwich City score 1.

First half: 1-0 to Manchester United (they win the half).
Second half: 2-1 to Manchester United (they win the half).

Result: Manchester United win both halves. Your bet wins!

Example 2: The Losing Scenario

Same match, but the scores are:

– First Half: Manchester United 1, Norwich City 0.
– Second Half: Manchester United 1, Norwich City 1.

First half: 1-0 to Manchester United (they win the half).
Second half: 1-1 (the half is drawn).

Result: Manchester United did not win the second half. Your bet loses, even though they won the match 2-1.

Example 3: The Drawn Match

– First Half: 0-0
– Second Half: 0-0

Neither team wins either half. Any bet on “either team to win both halves” loses.

Why Choose a ‘Both Halves’ Bet?

You might wonder why anyone would pick this option, since it’s harder to win than a simple match result bet. Here’s why:

Higher Odds, Higher Rewards

Because it’s more difficult for a team to win both halves, bookmakers offer higher odds on this market. If you’re confident that a strong team is playing a much weaker opponent, and you expect them to dominate throughout, this bet can offer a bigger payout than a regular win bet.

Great for Mismatched Games

‘Both Halves’ bets are most popular when a top team faces a struggling side. For example, if Barcelona are playing a team at the bottom of the league, you might expect Barcelona to attack from the start and keep pressing after halftime.

Risks and Downsides

Of course, there are risks:

One Bad Half Can Ruin Your Bet

Even if your team wins the game comfortably, a slow start or a relaxed second half can mean they only win one half (or draw one half). That’s all it takes for your bet to lose.

Late Goals Matter

A last-minute goal by the underdog in either half—even if it doesn’t affect the overall result—can turn a winning half into a draw, and your bet into a loss.

Not Ideal for Close Matches

If you think a match will be tight, or if the favorite might rest players after gaining a lead, a Both Halves bet is risky.

How Does This Compare to Similar Bets?

Let’s see how ‘Both Halves’ stacks up against some other common football bets:

Half Time/Full Time

– With Half Time/Full Time, you bet on the result at half time and at full time (e.g., Home/Home means the home team leads at half time and wins the match).
– With Both Halves, you need your team to win each half separately, regardless of the overall match result.

Win to Nil

– Win to Nil means your team must win the match and keep a clean sheet (no goals conceded).
– Both Halves doesn’t care about clean sheets, just about outscoring the opponent in both halves.

Handicap or Asian Handicap

– Handicap bets give one team a head start or deficit.
– Both Halves bets are about performance in each half, not the margin of victory.

Tips for Betting on Both Halves

If you’re considering a Both Halves bet, here are some beginner-friendly tips:

1. Research Team Form and Motivation
– Look for teams that start matches aggressively and don’t ease off after halftime.
– Consider whether the favorite needs a big win (for goal difference or confidence).

2. Check Opponent’s Defensive Record
– If the underdog tends to concede goals in both halves, it’s a better spot for this bet.

3. Avoid Cup Matches with Two Legs
– In two-legged ties, favorites might relax if they build an early lead, making a Both Halves win less likely.

4. Watch Out for Squad Rotation
– If the favorite is likely to rest key players after halftime, the second half could be less dominant.

5. Don’t Chase High Odds Blindly
– The higher odds are tempting, but only use this market when the matchup strongly supports it.

Actionable Advice for Beginners

If you’re new to betting, start by watching a few matches with the Both Halves concept in mind. See how often even strong teams fail to win both halves. Notice the impact of late goals, substitutions, and game flow. When you feel ready, try a small Both Halves bet on a heavily favored team in a league match (not a cup or friendly). Compare it to a regular win bet and see the difference in risk and reward.

Remember: A Both Halves bet is best used when you’re confident a team will dominate from start to finish. Use it sparingly, do your homework, and always bet responsibly.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to spot when a Both Halves bet offers value—and when it’s better to stick to simpler options. Happy betting!