Winning Margin by 1 Betting Explained: A Detailed Guide
Lina Almans
04 September 2024
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A winning margin by 1 (aka “to win by” bet) is a wager on a team to win the game with a margin of exactly one goal or point.
For example, if you bet on Everton to win by 1 goal, they need to win 2-1, 3-2, etc. If they draw, lose, or win by any other margin, you lose the bet.

Note: This type of bet is particularly popular in sports like football and hockey.
How Does a Winning Margin by 1 Bet Work?
When you place a winning margin bet 1, you’re predicting that a team (home or away) will win by exactly one goal or point.
For example, if you bet on the home team to win by exactly 1 goal:
- If the home team wins 2-1, 3-2, or 4-3, your bet wins.
- If the home team draws, loses, or wins by any other margin (e.g., 2-0 or 3-1), your bet loses.
Essentially, this bet is a middle ground between a handicap and a correct score bet.
Imagine you’re confident that a team will win, but you believe the margin will be slim — exactly one goal. Betting on large handicaps feels risky, and predicting the exact score can be challenging. The odds for a full match victory might be low, so a winning margin bet by 1 offers a balanced alternative.
Popular Types of Winning Margin 1 Bets in Football
Winning margin bets are straightforward. They come in two main types:
- Betting on a specific team to win by 1 goal.
- Wagering on any team to win by 1 goal (see picture below).
For the latter, you simply choose “yes” or “no,” without specifying the exact winner.

Example: How Does a Specific Team to Win by 1 Goal Bet Work?
So, let’s say you bet on Wisla Krakow to win by 1 goal with odds of 5.00, staking $100. If they win with a one-goal gap (1-0, 2-1, 3-2, etc.), your payout will be $500 ($100 x 5.00). Your net profit would be $400 ($500 – $100). For any other result, the money goes to the bookmaker.
Here’s why the odds are appealing: there’s no room for a margin greater than 1 goal or a draw. If Wisla Krakow wins by any other margin or if KF Llapi (the underdog) wins or draws, the bet is lost.
Pros and Cons of Winning Margin 1 Bets
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