Total Goals Under 1 Explained: What Is It?
Lina Almans
15 April 2024
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Total goals under 1 is a wager where you’re predicting that the match will end with no goals (less than 1) scored by either team, essentially a goalless draw. However, there’s an interesting twist to this bet.
If the match ends with exactly 1 goal, you don’t lose your bet. Instead, the bet is considered a push, and your stake is refunded.

Note: It can also be applied to different segments (1st half/2nd half), specific intervals (before/after 60th minute), or individual goals (how many goals a specific player will score).
How to Calculate Total Goals Under 1
Wager | Scenario | Example | Outcome |
Under 1 | No goals | 0:0 | Win |
Under 1 | Exactly 1 goal | 1:0, 0:1 | Refund |
Under 1 | More than 1 goal | 1:1, 2:0, 2:1, 1:3, etc. | Lose |
For instance, if you bet $100 on total goals under 1 with betting odds of 2.3 for a match between Atalanta vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach that ends 0:0, your payout and profit would be:
- Payout = $100 × 2.3 = $230
- Profit = $230 − $100 = $130
If the game ended with exactly 1 goal, you’d get a refund. More than 1 goal, and the bet is lost.

Using Total Goals Under 1 with Parlay (Acca)
Acca (parlay) is bet that combine multiple events (2 or more) in one bet slip. The total odds are calculated by multiplying the individual odds of each event.
Adding a total goals under 1 bet to your parlay might seem like an interesting strategy at first glance. After all, it comes with a refund option – if the game has exactly 1 goal, you don’t lose your bet. You get your money back. And in a parlay, a refund is treated as a win with odds of 1.
However, it’s crucial to understand that this is not a typical scenario. The chances of a game ending with less than 1 goal are extremely low, making this bet a high-risk choice.

But If you decide to add it to your parlay, here’s what you need to know:
- Lose It All: If any game in your parlay ends with more than 1 goal, the entire parlay is lost.
- Get a Refund: If a game ends with exactly 1 goal, that leg of the parlay is considered a push. Your total parlay odds are recalculated by removing the odds of the pushed leg.
Your parlay is recalculated with the new odds. If your original odds were: 2.5 x 1.3 x 2.1 = 6.82. And one of the events was a push, your new odds are: 2.5 x 1.3 x 1 = 3.25.
- Win Big: If the game ends in a goalless draw (has less than 1 goal), your bet wins. And so does your parlay, if all the other events also win.
Maximizing Wins with Total Goals Under 1
Choose Your League Wisely
For example, in the Premier League, where goalless draws occur in 5-8% of matches every year (20-25 out of 380), it’s crucial to select the right teams. Contrast this with Argentina’s Primera B Nacional, where a defensive style leads to 19% (2023/2024 season) of matches ending 0-0, offering a more favorable betting landscape for this market.
Target Mid-Table Teams
Focus on low-scoring teams, who have a high draw rate, like Brighton (32% in 2023/24, 39% in 2021/22), and are adept at securing points without conceding many goals. Their ability to maintain a strong defense, coupled with a lower scoring frequency, makes them an ideal candidate.
Avoid Relegation-Threatened Battles
Teams involved in relegation battles tend to have erratic performances, which can result in unexpected goals. It’s best to steer clear of these matches when placing your under 1 goal wagers.
Useful articles about Total Goals Over/Under: