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Half Time / Full Time Bet Explained
The Half Time / Full Time (HT/FT) market allows you to bet on the result of a match at two specific intervals in a single wager. While it shares similarities with an accumulator, it applies to one match only.
It is a single bet with two criteria:
- The result at Half Time (45 mins).
- The result at Full Time (90 mins).
Crucial Rule: You must predict both correctly to win. If you get the half time result right but the full time result wrong, the entire bet loses.
How the Market Works
In a standard football match, there are nine possible outcomes in this market. You are betting on the state of play at the break, and the final state of play at the final whistle.
Here are the common combinations using standard betting shorthand (1 = Home, X = Draw, 2 = Away):
Pros and Cons
Is this market right for your strategy? Here is a balanced look at the advantages and disadvantages.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Higher Odds: Because you must predict two outcomes, the odds are generally higher than a standard Match Result (1X2) bet. | Higher Risk: It is essentially a “double” bet. If a team leads at half time but concedes a late equaliser, the bet loses. |
| Value on Favourites: If a team is a heavy favourite (e.g., Man City), their win odds may be low. Backing them to lead at HT and FT (1/1) boosts the price. | Higher Margins: Bookmaker margins (the “vig”) are typically higher on this market compared to mainstream markets like Asian Handicap. |
| Tactical Betting: Useful if you know a team starts fast or is a “slow starter” (e.g., betting Draw/Home). | All or Nothing: There are no partial returns. You must be correct on both the 45-minute and 90-minute status. |
Worked Example (Hypothetical)
To understand the mechanics, let’s look at a hypothetical scenario using specific market data.
Scenario: Chelsea v Brentford
You believe Chelsea will start strong and maintain their lead throughout the game.
- Selection: Chelsea / Chelsea (Home / Home)
- Odds: 2.10
- Stake: £20
The Outcome:
If Chelsea leads 1-0 at Half Time and wins 2-0 at Full Time:
The bet wins. Both criteria were met.
Return: £42 (£22 profit + £20 stake)
If Chelsea leads 1-0 at Half Time but the match ends 1-1:
The bet loses. The first part was correct, but the full time result was a Draw, not a Home Win.
If it is 0-0 at Half Time and Chelsea wins 1-0:
The bet loses. The full time result was correct, but the half time result was a Draw, not a Home lead.
Common Mistakes & Safer Approaches
When using this market, avoid these common pitfalls:
- Ignoring the “90 Minutes” Rule: HT/FT bets are settled on the result after 90 minutes plus injury time. Extra time and penalty shoot-outs do not count.
- Chasing Longshots: The “Away/Home” selection (Away team leads at HT, Home team wins at FT) often has huge odds (e.g., 23.00+). However, these turnarounds are statistically rare.
- Over-Complicating Accumulators: Since HT/FT is already a “double” outcome, combining several of them into a large accumulator increases the difficulty significantly.
- Team Analysis: Check if a team is a “slow starter.” Stats show that in the Premier League (last three seasons), between 40% and 45% of matches were draws at half time. This makes the “Draw/Home” market a popular strategy for teams that win comfortably but take time to break opponents down.
Glossary for Beginners
- 1/1 (Home/Home)
- Backing the home team to be leading at half time and to win the match at full time.
- Draw/Home (X/1)
- Backing the result to be a draw at half time, but the home team to win at full time.
- Void Bet
- The bet does not count if the match is abandoned before completion.
- Double Result
- Another name for the Half Time / Full Time market.
18+ | GambleAware | T&Cs Apply
Offer terms not provided — check bookmaker terms.
Please gamble responsibly. Half Time / Full Time betting is a high-risk market. Never bet money you cannot afford to lose. Set limits on your time and bankroll before you start.
For help and support, visit GambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
