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Shots on Target betting: what counts, what doesn’t, and how Bet Builders fit in
This UK-focused guide explains how “Shots on Target” (SoT) is defined, why it can be confusing, and how to approach the market more carefully — especially when you’re building multi-leg bets.
What is classed as a Shot on Target?
“Shots on Target” is a betting market that can trip people up because the definition is strict. A shot on target is a goal attempt that is going towards the net (not the woodwork) and is either: saved by the goalkeeper, or stopped by a player who is the last line of defence (a “last line block”).
Counts as a shot on target
- A goal (including a shot that goes in regardless of intent).
- A goal-bound attempt saved by the goalkeeper.
- A goal-bound attempt stopped by a “last line of defence” block with the goalkeeper having no chance.
- A penalty that is scored or saved.
- Headers can count if they are goal-bound efforts.
Does not count as a shot on target
- Shots that hit the post or bar and do not go in.
- Shots blocked by a player who is not the last line of defence.
- Shots taken after play has been stopped (e.g., offside flag up).
- Shots saved by the goalkeeper that were going off-target.
- Crosses/corners that the goalkeeper stops from going in.
Why SoT settlement can feel “harsh”
Near misses can look dangerous on TV but still lose an SoT bet. Two common examples: woodwork (post/bar) doesn’t count unless the ball still goes in and is officially a goal, and blocked shots don’t count unless it’s a last-line block.
One operator states it uses Opta to track shots on target, and notes that statistics can be reviewed and amended. Whether every bookmaker uses the same provider or process is Not confirmed.
Bet Builder explained (plain English)
A Bet Builder (also called a same-game multi) lets you combine multiple selections from the same match into one bet. Each selection is a leg. All legs must land for the Bet Builder to win.
How it works
- You pick a match, then choose one or more markets (legs) within that match.
- The bookmaker gives a single combined price for the whole slip.
- If any leg loses, the full Bet Builder loses (unless your specific bet type says otherwise, which is Not confirmed.).
Key components you should understand
- Legs: the individual picks inside your Bet Builder.
- Correlation: how connected your legs are (e.g., one leg makes another more likely to happen in the same game).
- Pricing: the combined odds the bookmaker offers for the full set of legs.
- Margins: part of how bookmakers price markets; margins can influence the price you see (exact margins are Not confirmed.).
Correlation, explained without the jargon
If you add legs that “move together” (for example, multiple outcomes that depend on the same match pattern), the bookmaker may adjust the combined price because those legs aren’t independent. Exactly how each operator handles this is Not confirmed.
Bet Builders can be fun, but every extra leg adds another condition that must be met. Keep it controlled and within your limits.
Pros and cons of Shots on Target betting
Potential upsides
- Clear settlement rules: once you know what counts as SoT, you can avoid obvious pitfalls (like woodwork).
- Multiple angles: player, team, or match totals — plus Bet Builder legs if you want to combine markets.
- Doesn’t require a goal: you’re betting on an on-target attempt rather than the ball hitting the net.
Potential downsides
- Definition traps: blocked shots and woodwork can look close but still lose.
- Role/minutes risk: player SoT bets depend on whether a player starts and how long they play.
- Stat reviews: some operators note stats can be amended after review.
Common mistakes — and safer approaches
A shot that hits the post, or a shot blocked by a defender who isn’t the last line, doesn’t count as SoT.
Before staking, sanity-check your selection against the “counts / doesn’t count” list above — especially for woodwork and blocks.
More legs means more conditions. It’s easy to create a slip that feels logical but is still fragile.
If several legs depend on the same match narrative, you may be doubling up on the same risk. Keep your builder simple.
Even a well-reasoned SoT bet can lose. Don’t let confidence turn into over-staking.
Decide your stake size before you browse markets, and stick to it. If it stops being fun, stop.
Worked example (hypothetical)
This is a hypothetical walk-through using a match and market listed on this page. It’s shown to explain settlement — not to promise an outcome.
Burnley vs Fulham
Emile Smith Rowe — Over 0.5 shots on target
Fractional odds mentioned: 6/4
How this bet would settle (hypothetical scenarios)
- Wins: Smith Rowe records 1 or more shots on target during the match.
- Loses: Smith Rowe records 0 shots on target.
- Example of a “near miss” loss: he hits the post/bar and it doesn’t go in (woodwork doesn’t count as SoT).
- Example of another “near miss” loss: he shoots after play is stopped for offside (doesn’t count).
The notes on this page describe Smith Rowe’s recent minutes and shot output across recent starts, and also describe Burnley conceding high shot and SoT volumes. How you apply that to your own bet choice is up to you — and outcomes are never guaranteed.
Beginner glossary
- Shot on Target (SoT): a goal or a goal-bound attempt that would go in if not saved by the goalkeeper or stopped by a last-line block.
- Shot off Target: a clear attempt to score that goes wide/over, would have gone wide/over but is stopped, or hits the frame without a goal being scored.
- Bet Builder: a way to combine multiple selections (legs) from the same match into one bet.
- Leg: one selection inside a Bet Builder (e.g., a player SoT line).
- Correlation: how much one leg is connected to another within the same match.
- Settlement: how a bet is graded after the match, based on the operator’s rules and stats provider.
Safer gambling
Keep it fun, keep it controlled.
- Set a bankroll and limits before you bet — and stick to them.
- Keep stakes sensible, especially when adding multiple legs to a Bet Builder.
- If you’re chasing losses or it stops being enjoyable, take a break.
18+ | GambleAware | T&Cs apply
Offer terms
Offer terms not provided — check bookmaker terms.
