Football Betting 101: What It Is and How to Get Started
Football betting is more than just a game of chance — it’s an exciting way for fans of the beautiful game to turn their passion into potential profit. Whether you're backing your favorite team or putting your prediction skills to the test, football betting adds an extra thrill to every match.

New to the scene? No worries. Win Tips is here to walk you through the basics — from how to place your first bet to picking the right odds. Let’s kick things off!

Understanding Football Betting

Many people have heard of football betting, but not everyone fully understands this form of sports gambling. In football betting, players wager on a match that is either upcoming or currently in progress. Real money is used to place bets based on the odds provided by the bookmaker.

If your bet wins, you receive a payout; if it loses, you lose your wager. Football betting is based on official football matches—usually those that attract significant public and expert attention. A football match is a head-to-head sport between two teams, aiming to find a winner or end in a draw if scores are level. The bettor’s job is to predict the final outcome or specific events in the match such as: which team scores first, who wins the first half, which player scores a goal, etc. The bookmaker betting offers a variety of betting options for players to choose from.

Once the match ends and your bet is correct, you win and receive your stake plus winnings. Many people confuse football betting with match-fixing—these are two entirely different concepts. Football betting is done by external parties (bettors), while match-fixing involves players or teams deliberately influencing the outcome for money. Match-fixing is illegal, and players found guilty can face permanent bans from playing.

Football Betting: What New Players Should Know

Football betting is highly developed globally, attracting countless players and making matches more exciting than ever. However, in Vietnam, football betting and other forms of gambling remain illegal. Therefore, players should thoroughly research the necessary information to avoid unwanted legal issues.

Basic Football Betting Rules Everyone Should Know

To become a skilled bettor, you must understand the basic rules, including:

If the first half is canceled, all related bets are void. If only the second half is canceled, first-half bets still stand.

Bets are settled based on the 90 minutes of regular play plus stoppage time—extra time is not included unless specifically stated by the bookmaker.

Each bookmaker has rules about bet validity periods. Typically, if a match is postponed or suspended for over 12 hours, all bets are void and refunded.

Bookmakers publish match information for bettors, such as: venue, predicted lineups, recent form, head-to-head history, best football prediction app in the world, etc. These may change, so check regularly for updates.

The match result is updated live by the bookmaker. Final outcomes are only confirmed after the match ends.

For live betting, once the referee blows the final whistle, no more bets are accepted.

Common Football Betting Terms

It’s essential for football bettors to understand the commonly used terms, which help in searching, analyzing, and placing bets:

24 Hour Rule: Bets are valid if a postponed match resumes within 24 hours.

90 Minute Betting: Wagers only count for full-time (90 minutes + injury time); if the player doesn’t play, the bet is void.

CS Bet: Bet on the correct score.

Accumulator (Combo Bet): Multiple single bets combined into one.

Live Betting: Placing bets during an ongoing match.

ET (Extra Time): Extra time beyond regular 90 minutes.

FT (Full Time): Full 90 minutes of the match.

HT (Half Time): First 45 minutes of the match.

Handicap: Betting format where one team is given an advantage.

Underdog: The team given a head start (lower-ranked).

Favorite: The team giving a head start (higher-ranked).

Odds: The ratio set by the bookmaker for payouts.

Over/Under: Betting on total goals being over or under a specified number.

Lose Full: Losing the entire wager.

Lose Half: Losing half the wager.

PEN: Penalty kicks.

Scorecast: Betting on the first goal scorer and the exact final score.

Stake: The amount of money wagered.

Win Full: Winning the full amount.

Win Half: Winning half the payout.

Wincast: Betting on a player to score and their team to win.

Which Football Betting Format Should You Choose in Vietnam?

There are currently two main types of football betting, each with key differences that players should carefully consider.

Online Betting

Online football betting is increasingly popular and widely adopted by players. Trusted bookmakers frequently offer attractive odds. Players log into the bookmaker's website, place bets, and transfer funds via bank accounts or supported payment methods.

In Vietnam, since football betting is not legalized, online betting has become a common choice. It offers the convenience of placing bets anytime, anywhere, and receiving prompt payouts.

However, players must be cautious and choose reputable bookmakers. Many fraudulent sites exist, posing as legitimate betting platforms to scam players. Most experienced bettors now stick with well-known international bookmakers for a stable and reliable experience.

The above is a complete overview of football betting basics, how to play, and betting strategies shared by seasoned pros. Master them and use them wisely—you could be on your way to major wins.