Essence of the term “X” in betting

X is a popular betting option aimed at an even outcome. It is part of various markets such as: final winner; score at half time; who will take more corners etc.

Unlike betting in favour of the home team (1) or away team (2), very often the X option arrives with high odds and is suitable for singles play.

Sports with a possible DRAW(tie) result

A review of the bookmakers’ runs will show you that not all sports are accompanied by a bet on a draw (X). Volleyball; snooker; tennis fall into this category. A match does not end until one of the two sides takes the role of the winner.

When a match takes place in a specific time slot, it is possible that there will be no final winner after the end of regulation time. A draw shall then be awarded. The most significant sport in which the X option is available for betting is soccer. Clean sheet betting is fantastic for soccer fans as it offers great reward system and different look at the game as a whole.

An interesting fact is that in chess there is a high probability of a draw. This is the reason why X bets are priced with lower stakes.

• Soccer
• Chess
• Boxing
• Baseball
• Cricket
• Ice Hockey

Rules for settling an X bet

For an X bet to be counted as a winner, regulation time must have ended in a tie. For example, in soccer, the most common outcomes are 1:1; 0:0; 2:2 and 3:3 (b.a. – ordered by frequency).

Ten years ago, the derby between Olympique (Marseille) and Olympique (Lyon) in Ligue 1 ended in a 5:5 draw, which is among the most memorable hacks in the history of the game.

Important: Bookmakers count the result after the regular 90 minutes have been played plus added time by the referee. If one of the teams has won and then in extra time a draw has occurred (e.g. in a UEFA Champions League match), the bet is settled as a non-winner.
Make sure to check our Draw No Bet in sports betting if you want to take advantage of this kind of games.

In ice hockey and basketball betting, there are rules whereby the selection is settled after any overtimes have been played until a winner is determined. Hence, most bookmakers eliminate the X (Draw) option in these sports.

X betting tips

There are strategies for betting on draws that minimize risk and provide an edge against the bookmaker. One of them requires selecting 8 matches from the draw whose most likely outcome is a hiccup. The matches are combined in a (2 of 8) system that has 28 columns. Even if only three of the picks are winning, a profit will be made.

There are plenty of bookmaker bonuses for soccer betting these days, which it is advisable to participate in. One of them promises cashback if a bet is made on a goalscorer, but the match has finished goalless.