Correct Score Betting Explained: A Comprehensive Guide

Correct score is a precision-based wagering market where you predict the exact final score of a match or during a specific part of it. This could be a half in football or a set in tennis, etc.

When you see a correct score bet, you might be thinking: Do penalties count? What about extra time? The answer is no. Correct score bets are settled based on the 90 minutes of regular play plus injury time (an average of 2-3 minutes) but does not count extra time, penalty shootouts, or any other overtime.

Note: While ideal for football and tennis, correct score betting is less suited to high-scoring games like basketball, where predicting exact scores is more complex.

How Does Correct Score Betting Work?

In correct score betting, you’re tasked with predicting the exact scoreline of a game or its segments at its conclusion. 

Most bookies display this market with a list of possible outcomes and their corresponding betting odds. For example, in a football match, you might see options like “1-1”, “2-1”, indicating the number of goals or points for each team or player, each with its own odds.

Here’s how it looks at 1xBet:

However, some bookies also allow you to set your own score prediction via a slider within a specified range, offering more flexibility and control over your bet. 

Here’s a screenshot of this market at Bet365:

Note: “2-1” means Home Team (Germany) scores 2 and Away Team (Scotland) scores 1.

How is Correct Score Betting Applied in Football?

Football’s low-scoring nature makes it a prime candidate for correct score betting. Data from footystats.org indicates that the majority of football matches conclude with four or fewer goals. This statistical insight significantly reduces the range of likely outcomes, making your job as a bettor a bit easier.

How is Correct Score Betting Applied in Tennis?

Tennis, on the other hand, is a game of sets, and this structure simplifies correct score betting. So, You have a finite number of outcomes in a match — four in a three-set match (2-0, 2-1, 0-2, 1-2) and six in a five-set match (3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 0-3, 1-3, 2-3). 

As you can see, the odds aren’t as high as in football because it’s a bit easier to guess, but that also means you won’t win as much.

Note: Tennis bettors often bank on the favorites, placing their stakes on dominant scores like 2-0 or 3-0. The beauty of tennis betting lies in its focus on the individual — the physical readiness, the strategic approach, and the mental fortitude of just two players (or two pairs in doubles), rather than the chaotic clash of two 11-player squads.

Popular Types of Correct Score Bets

Correct Score in 1st Half / 2nd Half: This type of bet focuses on what the scoreboard will show at the end of the first or second half of a football match. Let’s say you’re watching a match between Lazio and Fiorentina, and you have a hunch that Lazio will lead 1-0 by halftime. You can place a bet predicting that exact halftime score.

Correct Score in Regular Time: Here, you’re aiming to predict the score at the final whistle, after the regular 90 minutes of play, excluding any extra time or penalties. For instance, in a game between Fulham and Crystal Palace, if your analysis leads you to believe the match will end with Fulham winning 2-1, you would place your bet on that precise outcome.

Pros and Cons of Correct Score Betting

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