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Win Both Halves Bet Explained: A Complete Guide for Bettors

Football has many great markets and one that’s becoming more popular is the “win both halves” bet.

This type of bet offers big returns but comes with its own challenges that are different to standard markets.

In this guide we will break down everything you need to know about win both halves betting, including how it works across different sports, tips for success and common pitfalls to avoid.

What Does Win Both Halves Mean in Football Betting?

Win both halves can be confusing at first but once you get the basics down it makes sense.

Essentially this bet is for the team you back to win each half of the match separately, regardless of the full time result.

Win Both Halves Betting Explained

In a win both halves bet your chosen team must win the first half and the second half, independently of each other.

It’s not enough for the team to win the match overall – they must outscore their opponent in both 45-minute periods.

For example if Manchester City are playing Liverpool and you bet on City to win both halves they would need to win both the first half and then win the second half.

Even if they win the match 3-1 overall you would lose the bet if they drew or lost either half.

It is necessary with this bet to treat each half as a separate entity. The team you backing has to win both of the halves in their own right. 

Here is a table with some example scorelines illustrating how the win both halves bet would turn out under various scenarios:-

Scenario First Half Result Second Half Result Overall Result Win Both Halves Bet Outcome
Team wins both halves 1-0 2-1 3-1 Win
Team wins first half, draws second 2-0 1-1 3-1 Loss
Team wins first half, loses second 2-0 0-1 2-1 Loss
Team draws first half, wins second 1-1 2-0 3-1 Loss
Team loses first half, wins second 0-1 1-0 1-1 Loss

As you can see in the table, even when the final score is the same at 3-1 in some of these scenarios, the win both halves bet is only successful if the team has won both the first and second halves. 

Winning the match is not enough, even if it is 5-0, if the team in question has not won both halves of the game.  

 

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Winning the Match vs Winning Both Halves

This is where win both halves betting differs from the match result market.

In a standard match result bet you only need the team to win the match, whether that’s by dominating one half and just holding on for a draw in the other.

With win both halves it’s consistency across both halves that’s key.

This bet is more demanding because you need the team to keep their winning momentum up throughout the whole game.

Real World Examples from Football

Let’s look at an example from the Premier League.

Arsenal are playing Everton and you bet on Arsenal to win both halves.

If Arsenal are 2-0 up at half time and score another goal in the second half to win 3-0 overall your bet wins because they won both halves (2-0 in the first half, 1-0 in the second half).

But if Arsenal are 2-0 up at half time and concede a goal and draw the second half 1-1 your bet would lose even though Arsenal won the match 3-1 overall.

Typical Odds for Win Both Halves Bets

The odds for the to win both halves bet will typically be considerably higher than for the match odds.

If we take an example of a Premier League match between Tottenham and West Ham, the match odds are:

  • Tottenham: 1.50
  • West Ham: 6.25
  • Draw: 5.0

Then if we have a look at the odds of the win both halves bet, we can see they are much higher:

  • To Win Both Halves – Tottenham: 3.5
  • To Win Both Halves – West Ham: 29

Those higher odds reflect that it is a tough task to win both halves in a football match, even for a team that are strong favourites for the match, such as Tottenham are in this case. 

Win Both Halves Betting Across Different Sports

Win both halves betting is most commonly associated with football but the concept can be applied to other sports too.

However each sport has its own dynamics when it comes to half time betting.

Football Specific Rules and Examples

In football the match is split into two equal halves of 45 minutes. The team must win both of these halves separately for the bet to be successful.

Note extra time doesn’t count in these bets – only the 90 minutes.

Basketball Half Time Betting Considerations

Basketball, particularly in American markets, has a similar betting option called “win both halves” or “win both halves in points.”

Here the team must outscore their opponent in both halves of the game.

However with higher scoring games and faster pace it’s easier for teams to come back in the second half so there tends to be more volatility in this bet than in football. 

American Football Betting Scenarios

In American football the concept applies too. The team you bet on must win both the first and second halves in terms of points scored.

But with the game being four quarters long it’s important to keep an eye on how teams perform after half time adjustments as coaches often change their strategy during the break.

Rugby and Other Sports

Rugby also has win both halves betting where the team must win each half separately.

As with football teams often start strong but ease off after they’re ahead so this bet can be tricky but potentially rewarding.

Other sports like hockey or handball may have similar markets depending on the bookmaker.

Win Both Halves vs Other Betting Markets

Now you know what win both halves betting is let’s compare it to some of the other popular betting markets in football.

Compared to Match Result Betting

In match result betting you only care about the final scoreline. A team can win by playing well in one half and cruising through the other.

With win both halves betting you need a higher level of dominance from the team over the full 90 minutes.

Half Time/Full Time vs Win Both Halves

Win both halves is sometimes confused with the half time/full time market but these bets are different.

In a half time/full time bet you’re predicting the score at half time and the score at full time.

Win both halves requires separate wins in each half which makes it harder.

Compared to Draw No Bet

With draw no bet you remove the risk of a draw so if the match ends level you get your stake back.

Win both halves doesn’t have this safety net – if the team draws or loses one half your bet is a loser.

 

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Trends to be Aware of with Win Both Halves Betting

When it comes to win both halves betting, understanding trends can be very useful.

By looking at team’s past performances across different leagues, competitions and seasons you can find patterns that can help you make a decision.

Here’s what the stats say:

1. Top Teams Win Both Halves More Often

Historically top teams in their respective leagues win both halves more.

In leagues like the Premier League, La Liga or Bundesliga top teams like Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich tend to beat weaker opponents and are more likely to win both halves.

These teams have more attacking firepower and depth and can maintain the pressure throughout the game which leads to higher success rate in this market.

2. Low Scoring Leagues Offer Less Opportunities

In low scoring leagues like La Liga or Ligue 1 the chances of winning both halves can be lower.

The more defensive and tactical nature of these leagues means less goals and more cautious play especially in the second half when teams defend leads rather than try to extend them.

You might find less opportunities to win both halves in these leagues compared to more open and high scoring leagues like the English Championship or Dutch Eredivisie.

3. International Tournaments

International tournaments like the World Cup or UEFA Champions League is a different ball game.

Strong teams like Brazil or France might win both halves against weaker teams in the group stages but the latter rounds are more cagey and it’s less common for teams to win both halves.

However some teams in the Champions League like Bayern Munich or Manchester City have been known to dominate teams at home and away and are more likely to win both halves especially in the group stages.

4. Home vs Away

Teams playing at home have a higher historical chance of winning both halves than away teams.

Home advantage gives the team more confidence and ability to dominate from start to finish.

For example Liverpool at Anfield or Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park are known for their strong home performances where they win both halves against weaker opponents.

5. Mid Table Teams and Consistency

Mid table teams in most leagues are less consistent in winning both halves as they adapt their tactics according to the opponent.

They might play defensively against stronger teams and aggressively against weaker ones making this market less predictable.

However some mid table teams are good at winning both halves when they play against the bottom teams in the league so understanding the specific matchups is key.

6. Managerial Influence

The style of play of some managers also affects the chances of winning both halves.

Managers who play aggressive and attacking football like Pep Guardiola or Mikel Arteta are more likely to make their teams dominate both halves.

Managers with defensive mindset like Diego Simeone will focus on getting a lead and then holding it making win both halves less likely with their teams.

7. Seasonal Trends

Towards the end of the season especially in top European leagues win both halves bets become more unpredictable.

Teams fighting relegation will play more cautiously while those fighting for the title or European spots tend to play more aggressively and go all out attacking.

These seasonal trends should be considered when placing win both halves bets as teams’ motivation changes according to their position in the league.

Win Both Halves Betting Tips

Like any betting win both halves requires a strategy and research to improve your chances of winning.

Team Performance Analysis

Look for teams that dominate matches and keep the pressure on for the full 90 minutes.

Teams like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain who blow their opponents away from start to finish are good for this bet.

Statistical Patterns to Look Out For

Check half time and full time results, goal scoring patterns and recent form.

Teams that score early and keep going are good for win both halves betting.

Half Time Result Factors

Consider injuries, tactical changes and even weather. Teams that start strong but lose focus after half time are less likely to win both halves.

Risk Management

This is a high risk bet so you need to manage your bankroll carefully. Bet small amounts relative to your overall bankroll and don’t chase losses.

Best Leagues and Tournaments for this Bet

Leagues where one team is much stronger than the competition are good for win both halves betting.

Win Both Halves Betting Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced punters can make mistakes when it comes to win both halves betting. Here are some common traps to watch out for.

Misunderstanding the Bet

Always remember this bet is about winning both halves separately not just the match overall. It is also different from the half-time full-time bet, as discussed above. This is where many new punters go wrong.

Ignoring Team Styles

Some teams play defensively in the second half especially if they’re leading. Make sure you know a team’s style before you bet.

Ignoring Historical Half Time Stats

Half time data is key for this bet. Don’t ignore how teams perform in the first and second halves of matches.

Bankroll Management Mistakes

This is a high odds market which can lead to excitement and over betting. Stick to your strategy and bet sizes to not lose more than you can afford.

Conclusion

Win both halves betting offers an interesting way to enhance your football (and other sports) wagering experience, especially for those looking to capitalise on teams that dominate their matches from start to finish.

Although this market comes with its challenges, it can be highly rewarding for bettors who conduct thorough research and understand the intricacies of team performances, historical trends, and match conditions.

Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to sports betting, our expert insights can help you make smarter, more profitable wagers. 

 

FAQs About Win Both Halves Betting

1. What does win both halves mean in football betting?
Win both halves means that the selected team must win each half of the match separately.

This means they must score more goals than the opposition in both the first and second halves.

Even if the team wins the overall match, the bet loses if they don’t win both halves individually.

2. How do bookmakers calculate win both halves odds?
Bookmakers consider various factors when calculating win both halves odds, including team form, head-to-head history, and the relative strength of the teams.

Because this bet requires a team to dominate both halves, the odds are usually considerably higher than standard match result bets.

Teams with strong attacking records or who frequently control games are likely to have lower odds for this market.

3. Is win both halves betting worth it?
Win both halves betting can offer higher potential returns than other markets, but it’s also riskier.

It’s worth it for bettors who have done thorough research on team performance and are confident in a team’s ability to maintain dominance throughout the entire match.

However, due to the complexity of the bet, it’s not as straightforward as simpler bets like match result or draw no bet.

4. What teams are best for win both halves betting?
Top teams in their respective leagues—such as Manchester City, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich—are often strong candidates for win both halves betting.

These teams consistently dominate their opponents in both halves due to superior depth, fitness, and attacking quality.

It’s also important to consider teams that frequently apply high-press tactics, as they often try to control games from start to finish.

5. Can you cash out a win both halves bet?
Yes, many bookmakers offer a cash-out option for win both halves bets.

If your team is winning at half-time, you may be able to secure a portion of your potential winnings by cashing out early.

This can help minimise risk, particularly if you think the team might struggle to maintain their performance in the second half.

6. Is win both halves betting available for live/in-play betting?
Yes, win both halves betting is often available in live or in-play markets. This can allow you to see how the first half unfolds before deciding to place your bet.

If a team dominates the first half, but the odds for them winning the second half are still favourable, you might choose to place the bet after kick-off.

7. What’s the difference between win both halves and half-time/full-time betting?
In half-time/full-time betting, you are betting on the result at half-time and full-time.

For example, if you bet on a team to win half-time/full-time, they need to be winning at the end of both periods, but they don’t have to win each half individually.

Win both halves, on the other hand, requires the team to score more goals than the opposition in each half, making it a more challenging market.

8. Are there certain leagues where win both halves betting is more successful?
Leagues with dominant teams that regularly overpower their opponents—such as the Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga—are often good for win both halves betting.

Teams like Manchester City, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich tend to control both halves of a match against weaker sides.

However, every league has its dynamics, so it’s crucial to analyse team performance within the context of the specific competition.

 

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