A bet of type X2 belongs to the so-called double outcomes, meaning it includes two possible results: a draw or a win for the away team. Every beginner bettor should understand what 2X means in betting, as this option is one of the main markets in bookmaker lines. This article will take a closer look at what the X2 bet means, how it is calculated, and the advantages of playing this market.
In which sports can you place an X2 bet?
The symbol “X” in a bookmaker’s line denotes a draw. Therefore, a bet of type X2 applies to sports where a draw is possible in the final score. Suitable options include:
- football;
- hockey and basketball (without considering overtime);
- handball;
- futsal, etc.
This doesn’t mean that the 2X bet only applies to full matches. Bookmakers also accept wagers on the “no defeat” outcome for the away team by halves, quarters, or periods. Moreover, X2 is often played not only in pre-match betting but also live.
Example of an X2 bet
To better understand what X2 means in betting and how it works, let’s look at an example. Suppose you place a 1,000 ₽ bet on X2 in the 2022 German Super Cup match between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. In other words, you are betting that the nominal home team will not win in regular time. The bookmaker offers odds of 1.35. There are two possible outcomes:
- RB Leipzig wins by any score in regulation time. The bettor loses the 1,000 ₽ stake.
- Bayern Munich wins or the match ends in a draw after two halves. The bookmaker pays out 1,000×1.35 = 1,350 ₽. The net profit is 350 ₽.
This example shows that the Double Chance bet wins in two cases – if the match ends in a draw or the selected team wins.
When should you place an X2 bet?
The main goal of a 2X bet is to choose a match where the away team will not lose. Therefore, you should pay attention to the following aspects:
- the away team is considered the favorite;
- the home club rarely puts up strong resistance against higher-level opponents;
- the stronger visiting side is motivated by its tournament position;
- the favorite sometimes drops points unexpectedly due to draws in away games.
The last point often justifies betting on the Double Chance instead of a clean win. Because of this, the odds are much lower, but the probability of winning increases. For example, in the match above, Bayern’s clean win was priced at 2.01, while X2 was 1.35. The first option is attractive for its odds; the second – for its higher probability of success.
Pros and cons of the X2 bet
Advantages:
- insurance against an unexpected draw;
- available in almost all bookmaker lines;
- easy to understand and calculate;
- high conversion rate when used effectively in accumulators.
Disadvantages:
The main downside is lower odds compared to the 1×2 market. Another drawback is the difficulty of finding value odds since bookmakers carefully calculate prices for such popular and in-demand markets.
