Half-Time / Full-Time Betting

Half-time/Full-time betting is a fun alternative to the standard match winner markets, offering higher odds and added excitement for punters. 

Half-Time/Full-Time betting is a popular betting market offered by South African betting sites. Unlike traditional match winner markets, the half-time/full-time market requires more knowledge and skill as it requires two outcomes to be predicted. In this half-time/full-time article, we take you through what this betting market is and provide information on the settlement rules, tips and how to make these bets.

What is Half-Time / Full-Time Betting?

Half-Time/Full-Time (HT/FT) is a term used in sports betting referring to what happens at both half-time and full-time of a match. Unlike traditional match winner markets, punters must make two predictions: the match result at half-time and the match result at full-time. 

Half-Time / Full-Time Betting Combinations

Because punters must predict two outcomes, there will be nine (9) different combinations that can be wagered on. The combinations on offer for this match for half-time and full-time will include:

• Home Win / Home Win [1/1]
• Home Win / Draw [1/X]
• Home Win / Away Win [1/2]
• Draw / Home Win [X/1]
• Draw / Draw [X/X]
• Draw / Away Win [X/2]
• Away Win / Home Win [2/1]
• Away Win / Draw [2/X]
• Away Win / Away Win [2/2]

How to Read Half-Time / Full-Time Markets

A betting site that displays the HT/FT market by half (i.e., first half/full-time). The result shown on the left reflects the first half result, and the result on the right reflects the full-time result.

How Half-Time / Full-Time Odds Work

Since punters are predicting two outcomes in HT/FT betting, the odds are significantly better. Each of the 9 combinations will have different odds based on the likelihood of it occurring. Below is a snippet of the HT/FT markets at World Sports Betting for the UCL match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal:

1/1 and 2/2  will have the lowest odds, as these are the most common outcomes. 2/1 and 1/2 have the highest odds, as comebacks in sport are generally the hardest outcome. X/1, X/X and X/2 are middle grounds and will generally depend on which team wins in the second half. 1/X and 2/X depend on the teams and the probability that a match ends in a draw.

How to Place a Half-Time / Full-Time Bet

Log in and browse your bookie’s sportsbook and select the fixture you fancy. Head over to the half-time/full-time page of the fixture. Select the bet you want to wager on and open your betslip. Enter your stake, review your final odds and click submit to place your bet.

Half-Time / Full-Time vs Other Football Markets

As already discussed, the HT/FT betting market has 9 options to choose from, which is vastly more than the normal match winner (3), double chance (3), and half-time result (3). The HT/FT odds are also much higher than in other football markets because punters must predict two outcomes. The HT/FT betting market requires more skill as punters must understand how the game will develop and if there will be any setbacks or upsets.

What to Consider Before Making an HF/FT Bet

Before placing a half-time/full-time bet, consider these core factors to increase your chances of success:

• Understand how both sides approach a game. Does one team play better in the first half, or do they start slow?
• Analyse how both managers set up their squads and if there are any bigger games on the horizon.
• Check each team’s home and away record. Do they perform better in front of home support or are they stronger on the road?
• Look at historical patterns between the two teams. Does this fixture feature goals, tense and nervy draws, or does one team continuously dominate the other?

Half-Time / Full-Time Betting Examples

A practical example, let’s take the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Possible combinations of how the match could end include: 

• If Kaizer Chiefs leads the match 1-0 at half-time and 2-1 at full-time → Chiefs/Chiefs (Home/Home is the winning bet)
• If Orlando Pirates leads the match 1-0 at half-time and 2-0 at full-time → Pirates/Pirates (Away/Away is the winning bet)
• If Kaizer Chiefs leads the match 2-0 at half-time and the match ends 2-2 at full-time → Chiefs/Draw (Home/Draw is the winning bet) 
• If Kaizer Chiefs leads the match 1-0 at half-time and Pirates win the match 1-2 at full-time → Chiefs/Pirates (Home/Away is the winning bet) 
• If the match is tied 0-0 at half-time and 2-1 to Chiefs at full-time → Draw/Chiefs (Draw/Home is the winning bet)

Half-Time / Full-Time Settlement Rules

An HT/FT wager is only settled once regulation time has been concluded. Extra time and penalty shoot-outs do not count toward the HT/FT settlement. For a bet to be settled as a win, both outcomes (half-time and full-time) must be correctly predicted. Only if the match has been abandoned or postponed will a bet be voided.

Tips for Half-Time / Full-Time Betting

Some simple tips to improve your chances of winning more HT/FT wagers include doing your research and understanding the odds. Unlike traditional sports wagers, the HT/FT market requires understanding how each team plays and their strengths and weaknesses before placing their bets. 

Half-Time / Full-Time FAQs

Below is a list of the most common questions punters have when wagering on the half-time/full-time market:

Q: What does Half-Time / Full-Time mean in betting?

A: Half-Time/Full-Time is a betting market where punters bet on the result at half-time and full-time.

Q: What does Draw/Home mean in HT/FT betting?

A: In HT/FT betting, Draw/Home means that the match will be level at half-time and the home team will win the match after regulation time.

Q: Does Half-Time / Full-Time betting include extra time?

A: No, HT/FT wagers do not include extra-time and penalty shoot-outs.

Q: Why are Half-Time / Full-Time odds higher than match winner odds?

A: The odds for HT/FT betting are higher due to punters needing to predict two outcomes (halftime and full-time) instead of one in traditional match winner bets.

Vinolin Naidoo

Writer/Betting Tipster

I have been in the iGaming industry for a decade and am an avid sports bettor and fan. I have expanded my betting knowledge to create articles on the iGaming industry focusing on online casino content and sports betting analysis for several regions, including South Africa. I cover various sports, including Soccer, Cricket and Horse Racing. All my predictions, tips and insights are thoroughly researched and I aim to help fellow punters in beating the bookies!