If you already understand how a standard 2-way moneyline bet works, you’re ahead of the curve. But once you start learning how to bet on soccer, you’ll quickly come across a variation that catches a lot of bettors off guard: the 3-way moneyline, also known as the 1X2 market.
At first glance, it looks similar to a traditional moneyline bet, but there’s one major difference that changes everything. Miss it, and what looked like a safe wager can quickly turn into a loss.
Let’s break down exactly how a 3-way moneyline works.
What Is a 3-Way Moneyline Bet?
A 3-way moneyline, also known as the 1×2, gives you three core options to choose from:
- Option 1: Team A wins
- Option 2: Draw (tie)
- Option 3: Team B wins
That middle option, the draw, is where players can get tripped up. If you back either team to win and the match ends level, you’ve lost. In a 3-way market, a tie isn’t a push; it’s a loss. The draw is its own outcome, with its own betting odds, and you have to specifically select it.
Here’s what a typical 3-way moneyline might look like for a typical match in the English Premier League, La Liga, World Cup, etc. where there is a clear favorite:
Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
Team A Win | -120 |
Draw (tie) | +280 |
Team B Win | +310 |
Team A is the betting favorite at -120, while the odds point to Team B struggling to earn a result with the underdog prices of +280 for a draw and +310 for a win.
How to Read 3-Way Moneyline Odds
The 3-way moneyline odds themselves work just like any American odds line:
- Positive (+) odds: Profit the bettor stands to gain on a $100 bet
- Negative (-) odds: Amount the bettor needs to wager to win $100
The difference is you’re choosing between three independently priced outcomes.
For example:
- A $100 bet on the draw at +280 returns $280 in profit (plus your $100 stake back) if the match ends tied.
- A $120 bet on Team A at -120 returns $100 in profit if they win.
- A $100 bet on Team B at +310 would return $310 in profit ($410 total).
When setting 3-way moneyline markets the sportsbook is balancing the implied probability across three markets, which means the prices will be drastically different from a traditional 2-way moneyline.
3-Way vs. 2-Way Moneylines
Let’s compare a 3-way moneyline with the more traditional 2-way moneyline: the biggest difference comes down to how draws are handled.
In leagues like the NFL, NBA, or MLB, games can’t end in a tie in regulation. Overtime typically guarantees a winner, so Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook offers 2-way moneyline markets.
Soccer and some international competitions like hockey, are different. Most matches end after regulation time (90 minutes plus stoppage time), even if the score is tied. That’s why 3-way markets exist.
The key distinction:
- 2-way moneyline: A draw is either impossible or results in a refunded bet (push).
- 3-way moneyline: A draw is a fully valid result, and a losing one if you didn’t bet it.
This matters for how you calculate value, how you build parlays, and how you interpret the odds you’re being offered.
1×2 Bets
The three-way moneyline is often referred to as a 1×2, which describes the three different outcomes that can be bet on. A 1×2 is the same thing as the three-way moneyline. The options are:
- 1 – Team 1 wins
- x – Tie
- 2 – Team 2 wins
When to Bet the Draw
The draw is often the most overlooked option in a 3-way moneyline market, and for good reason. Some consider it psychologically unsatisfying to root for a tie, but sharp soccer bettors have long recognized it as a source of consistent value precisely because casual bettors ignore it.
Situations where the draw deserves serious consideration:
- Evenly matched teams: similar form, home/away records, and motivation
- Low-scoring leagues or styles: defenses that limit chances naturally produce more draws
- Low-stakes late-season fixtures: where neither side has much to play for
- Derby or rivalry matches: where emotion tends to cancel out talent advantages
Common 3-Way Moneyline Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some of the most common pitfalls with 3-way moneylines, and how to avoid them:
- Forgetting the draw loses: This is the big one. Plenty of players from a two-outcome background place a 3-way moneyline on their favorite team, see a draw, and expect a push. Sadly, it just doesn’t work that way.
- Ignoring the draw entirely: If you’re only considering two of three outcomes, you’re not fully analyzing the market.
- Parlaying 3-way moneylines without adjusting expectations: Every 3-way leg adds another way to lose. A multi-leg parlay becomes significantly harder to hit.
- Assuming overtime counts: In most soccer markets, 3-way moneylines are settled on the result at 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties in knockout rounds typically do not count. Always check the house rules.
3-Way Moneyline Betting at Hard Rock Bet
The 3-way moneyline is a must-know market if you’re betting on soccer or international sports that can end in a tie. Factor the draw into your analysis, and you’ll already be ahead of many players who overlook it entirely.
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3-Way Moneyline FAQs
Still have questions about how 3-way moneyline bets work? Below are a few frequently asked questions to help you become familiar with this bet type.
What sports use a 3-way moneyline?
Soccer is by far the most common. You’ll also find 3-way markets on international hockey (where overtime isn’t always guaranteed), some rugby competitions, and select cricket formats. Most U.S. sports use 2-way moneylines.
Is a 3-way moneyline the same as a 1X2 bet?
Yes. The 1X2 format used widely in European sportsbooks is identical: 1 = home team wins, X = draw, 2 = away team wins. The label is different; the market is the same.
What happens if the game goes to extra time?
The 3-way moneyline market does NOT include extra time. If you want to bet on who advances you can bet the ‘to advance’ or ‘team to lift trophy’ market. Similarly, ‘winner – push if tied’ is also available if you don’t want a draw to result in a loss.
Official house rules apply at all times.
Can I parlay 3-way moneyline bets?
You can, but understand what you’re signing up for. Every 3-way leg introduces a third losing scenario. Adjust your expectations on parlay hit rates accordingly, and be selective about which matches you include.
Why do the odds seem lower than expected?
Because the sportsbook’s margin (vig) is built into all three outcomes. Combined implied probabilities will always exceed 100%.
