One of the betting options available for football matches is half-time/full-time (HT/FT). It requires the bettor to predict the outcome of the match at both halftime and full-time. In this article, we will explain what HT/FT is and how it works in the betting market.
Definition of HT/FT in betting markets
HT/FT is a type of wager that allows the bettor to predict the outcome of a football match at both halftime and full-time. The bettor must predict the halftime score as well as the final score at full-time. This betting option is available for most football matches and is a popular choice among sports bettors.
How HT/FT Betting Works
In half-time/full-time betting, you make two predictions: the result at the end of the first half and the final outcome of the match. You need to predict whether the home team, the away team, or neither will be ahead at both stages.
For example, let’s say Everton is playing Fulham. If you stake on Everton to lead at both half-time and full-time, you win if Everton is ahead at the end of the first half and also wins the match. However, if Everton is leading at half-time but fails to win, your wager loses.
Consider another example: Manchester United vs. Leicester City. If you stake on a draw at half-time and Manchester United to win by full-time, your wager wins if the teams are tied at the break and Manchester United wins the match.
Important points:
- The wager is based on the outcome after 90 minutes, including stoppage time.
- Extra time and penalties don’t count.
- If the match is abandoned, the wager is void.
This betting type requires predicting the flow of the match at two crucial stages, adding an extra challenge.
Possible combinations
There are several possible combinations for an HT/FT bet, including:
| HT/FT Combination | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Home/Home | Home team leads at HT and wins the match |
| Home/Draw | Home team leads at HT, but the game ends in a draw |
| Home/Away | Home team leads at HT, but the away team wins |
| Draw/Home | Match is tied at HT, but the home team wins |
| Draw/Draw | Match is drawn at both half-time and full-time |
| Draw/Away | Match is tied at HT, but the away team wins |
| Away/Home | Away team leads at half-time, but the home team wins |
| Away/Draw | Away team leads at half-time, but the game ends in a draw |
| Away/Away | Away team leads at both half-time and full-time |
To win your stake, your prediction must match both the half-time and full-time results. This dual prediction makes half-time/full-time betting more challenging but also offers higher potential rewards. Since you have to correctly guess the outcome at both the 45 and 90-minute marks, the odds can be significantly higher, making this wager type particularly valuable for those looking for bigger returns.
Examples of Half-Time/Full-Time Betting
To see how half-time/full-time betting works in practice, let's look at a few examples:
- Example 1: Manchester United vs. Arsenal. You place a stake on Draw/Home. This means you predict the match will be tied at half-time, but Manchester United will win by full-time. If the score is 1-1 at half-time and Manchester United wins 2-1 by the end, your wager is successful.
- Example 2: Chelsea vs. Tottenham. You choose Home/Draw, predicting that Chelsea will lead at half-time but that the match will end in a draw. If Chelsea is ahead 1-0 at half-time, but the game finishes 1-1, your stake wins.
- Example 3: Liverpool vs. Manchester City. You opt for Away/Away, expecting Manchester City to lead at both half-time and full-time. If Manchester City is winning 1-0 at the break and goes on to win 3-1, your wager pays out.
These examples highlight how half-time/full-time betting requires you to accurately predict the match's progression at two key points, offering higher rewards for correct predictions.
Variation of odds for each outcome
The odds for each outcome vary depending on the teams playing and the betting market. The odds of the home team winning both halves may be higher than the odds of the away team winning both halves. The odds also change throughout the match based on the score and other factors such as injuries and suspensions.
Winnings based on correct predictions
If the bettor's predictions are correct, they win the amount of money that corresponds to the odds for their selected outcomes. The amount won depends on the odds for each outcome and the amount of money wager. For example, if the bettor predicts that the home team will win both halves and the odds for this outcome are 2.00, they will double their stake if their prediction is correct full-time.
FAQs
How does HT/FT betting differ from standard betting?
Unlike standard wagering, which typically involves predicting the final result of a match, HT/FT betting requires you to make two predictions: one for halftime and one for full-time. Both predictions must be correct for you to win.
Why are the odds higher in HT/FT betting?
The odds are higher in HT/FT wagering because it’s more challenging—you need to accurately predict the match outcome at two different stages, which increases the complexity and potential reward.
What happens if my HT/FT bet is partially correct?
If only one of your predictions (either halftime or full-time) is correct, you lose the bet. Both predictions must match the actual outcomes for you to win.
Do extra time and penalties count in HT/FT betting?
No, HT/FT wagers are settled based on the result after 90 minutes of regular play, including any stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count towards the outcome.
What happens if the match is abandoned?
If the match is abandoned before it concludes, HT/FT wagers are typically voided, meaning your stake is returned since the match didn’t reach a valid conclusion.
Can HT/FT betting be applied to other sports?
While HT/FT betting is most common in football, similar concepts can be applied to other sports with distinct halves or periods, though the terminology and wagering options may differ.
We hope you found this guide on “HT/FT' betting informative. But there's more to explore! For instance, if you're interested in wagering on the precise scoreline of a match, our “Correct Score” betting page is worth a visit. The “Over/Under” betting guide can provide you with interesting strategies for predicting total goals in a match. If betting on the probability of a player scoring a goal piques your interest, make sure to check out our “Goalscorer” betting guide. Or if you'd like to hedge your bets a bit, our “Double Chance” betting page can show you how.
