Both Teams to Score markets are a widely used way to focus on scoring events rather than match winners. This guide explains the mechanics, settlement rules and common variants so readers can understand how operators determine winners and how to treat half-match and in-play markets. The article is written for sports fans and prediction practitioners who want a practical, rule-driven approach to BTTS. It presents settlement basics, odds conversion, pricing inputs, staking ideas and a repeatable decision framework without assuming advanced statistical knowledge.

BTTS pays out when both teams score in regulation time; half and in-play variants change the settlement window.

Convert decimal odds to implied probability with 1 divided by odds to compare market price to your estimate.

Use a pre-bet checklist and disciplined staking rules to manage risk when evaluating BTTS opportunities.

Both Teams to Score Markets Explained: What BTTS Means and the Main Variants

Both Teams to Score Markets Explained refers to markets that pay out when each side in a match records at least one goal during regulation time. In common practice, a market labelled Yes or No is settled as Yes only if both teams score at least once before the final whistle of normal time; otherwise it is a No. This clear settlement principle is the starting point for comparing full-match, half-match and live BTTS opportunities and for planning any staking approach one might use in a prediction challenge or testing environment, such as a virtual funded account.

Most operators offer several variants of the core market: a full-match Yes/No BTTS, first-half BTTS, second-half BTTS and in-play BTTS that updates as the match unfolds. First-half and second-half variants limit settlement to goals scored in the specified 45-minute period, while in-play options can change prices and liquidity as events happen on the field. For a concise market definition and common variants, see an operator guide to Both Teams to Score markets Smarkets help centre.

Why the Laws of the Game matter: the objective definition of a goal underpins how operators settle any BTTS market. A goal is only awarded when the whole ball has crossed the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar, and that precise rule is what gives an unambiguous basis for whether a team has scored for settlement purposes. For the official language used by referees and operators, consult the Laws of the Game document Laws of the Game 2024/25.

Confirm rules and checklist before betting

Before you place a BTTS selection, read the published market rules and the checklist below to confirm exactly which events count toward settlement.

Review the checklist

In practice, some operational details matter: standard BTTS settles on goals in regulation time and excludes extra time and penalty shootouts, and own goals are normally counted as a team goal unless an operators specific market rules provide otherwise. These distinctions are common in operator guides and help avoid disputes over settlement for half-markets or matches decided after regulation time Smarkets help centre.

How BTTS Is Settled: Regulation Time, Own Goals and Edge Cases

Split screen with a referee signaling a goal on the left and a minimalist odds table showing decimal odds and implied probability on the right Both Teams to Score Markets Explained

Standard BTTS settlement uses regulation time only. That means goals scored in the regular 90 minutes plus stoppage time count, while extra time in knockout competitions and penalty shootouts are generally excluded. This distinction is important because a match that is decided after the 90 minutes could still be recorded as No for a full-match BTTS market if both teams did not score during regulation time. For common settlement conventions see a BTTS market guide Smarkets help centre.

Own goals are typically treated as a goal for the benefiting team and therefore count toward a BTTS Yes settlement. The rationale is simple: the laws that define a goal do not exclude own goals from being awarded, and operator rules generally mirror that approach unless they explicitly state otherwise. For the official goal definition that underpins this treatment, consult the Laws of the Game Laws of the Game 2024/25.

Operator-specific market rules can create edge cases. For example, some competitions or special markets may define settlement windows differently, or they may publish clarifications about own goals, abandoned matches or replayed fixtures. A sensible precaution is to check the market terms before staking, because these published rules are the authoritative source if a dispute occurs Smarkets help centre.

Both Teams to Score Markets Explained: Odds, Implied Probability and Payouts

Decimal odds are the most straightforward way to express BTTS prices and to convert them into implied probability. The conversion is simple: implied probability equals 1 divided by the decimal odds. This calculation helps you compare the market price to your own probability estimate and assess whether a selection offers value. For a clear definition and worked examples of the conversion, see a decimal odds primer Decimal odds: definition and how to calculate winnings.

A worked example helps make the conversion practical. If a BTTS Yes market is priced at decimal odds of 2.20, the implied probability is 1 / 2.20. That number gives you a baseline to compare to your model or checklist. Remember that implied probability does not account for operator margin, so the raw conversion is a starting point rather than a final arbitrage test. For background on conversion and payout computation, read a guide to decimal odds Decimal odds: definition and how to calculate winnings.

How are Both Teams to Score markets settled when matches go to extra time or penalties?

Standard Both Teams to Score markets are settled using goals scored in regulation time only; extra time and penalty shootouts are usually excluded unless the market terms explicitly include them.

Potential returns on BTTS bets are computed by multiplying your stake by the decimal odds. Use this simple arithmetic so you understand the payout if your selection wins and how much you risk if it does not; this is essential when combining BTTS selections with staking approaches or when using them within a challenge-style evaluation program. For more on converting odds into payouts consult the odds primer Decimal odds: definition and how to calculate winnings.

A common misconception is to treat implied probability as the sole indicator of value. In reality you must factor in operator margin, your own model's uncertainty and match-specific contextual information. Comparing the converted implied probability to your independent estimate is the most practical way to decide whether a BTTS price represents value.

BTTS Variants in Practice: First-Half, Second-Half and In-Play Markets

Half-match BTTS markets restrict settlement to goals scored within the named half. In a first-half BTTS market, only goals scored before the halftime whistle count; similarly, second-half BTTS considers only the second period. These half-markets still follow the standard exclusion of extra time and penalty shootouts unless otherwise stated in the market terms, so the same basic settlement rules apply but with a narrower time window Smarkets help centre.

In-play BTTS markets update as the match progresses. Live prices respond to goals, substitutions and momentum, and operators may offer cash-out options or continuously adjusted odds. Because events on the field change the underlying probability, in-play BTTS requires clear protocols to manage latency and execution if you intend to trade or place live selections What does BTTS mean? Football betting guide.

Volatility differs between full-match and half-match BTTS. Half-markets can be more volatile because fewer minutes remain for the second scoring event to happen, and in-play markets compress or expand implied probability quickly after a goal. This practical effect changes how one approaches staking and when one might prefer a full-match view over a half-market or vice versa.

How Platforms and Markets Price BTTS: What Influences Odds

At a basic level, BTTS pricing reflects teams' scoring and conceding tendencies. Pricing models commonly incorporate a team's goals scored per match, goals conceded, home and away splits, and recent form to estimate the likelihood each side scores; these factors are core inputs in statistical approaches to BTTS pricing What is Both Teams to Score? A guide to BTTS betting.

Broader statistical models- such as Poisson-based predictions, expected goals models or other probabilistic frameworks- translate those inputs into an estimated probability for both sides scoring. Public information, market flow and liquidity can then nudge displayed odds away from purely modelled values, which is why prices can differ between platforms and at different times before kickoff What is Both Teams to Score? A guide to BTTS betting.

Funded Plays Challenges, a funded sports prediction challenge platform, lets users test selection frameworks like BTTS in structured conditions using virtual funded accounts and challenge rules.

Review the checklist

Market differences between operators arise from model choice, the information used, liquidity and operator margin. Comparing implied probability across markets and checking how quickly prices react to news or lineup changes are practical steps when hunting for value in BTTS markets.

Staking and Bankroll Approaches for BTTS Markets

Fixed-percentage staking is a straightforward way to control risk: wager a constant share of your bankroll on each selection so that a losing run reduces stake sizes naturally. This method is robust because it scales risk with bankroll changes and helps limit drawdowns if you experience several losing bets in a row. For background on disciplined staking ideas see resources on staking frameworks Kelly criterion: what it is and how it works in investing and gambling.

The Kelly Criterion is a mathematically driven staking approach that maximises long-term growth if you have an accurate edge estimate. It requires a reliable assessment of your expected probability relative to the market and tolerates variance differently than fixed-percentage staking. Use Kelly cautiously; overestimating your edge leads to stakes that are too large and can increase the chance of significant drawdowns Kelly criterion: what it is and how it works in investing and gambling.

Practical risk controls for BTTS include setting maximum stake limits, defining daily or weekly loss caps, and keeping a clear record of selections and outcomes. No staking method removes risk: disciplined application and realistic expectations are essential when testing BTTS strategies in any funded-challenge style evaluation or private model testing environment What is Both Teams to Score? A guide to BTTS betting.

Decision Framework: How to Choose Which BTTS Opportunities to Play

Use a compact pre-bet checklist to make consistent decisions: confirm settlement rules for the market, convert decimal odds to implied probability, compare that to your model or estimate, check team scoring and conceding context and review injuries or lineup uncertainty. This step-by-step approach helps you avoid avoidable mistakes and creates repeatability.

Balancing implied probability against your estimate is a simple decision rule: consider backing a BTTS selection when your estimated probability is meaningfully higher than the market-implied probability after accounting for operator margin and transaction costs. This rule requires you to define what 'meaningfully higher' means for your model and risk tolerance.

Quick pre-bet BTTS decision checklist

Settlement rules
Implied probability
Team scoring context
Injuries
Market type
Stake suggestion

Use as a prompt not a guarantee

When to skip a market: avoid BTTS opportunities with unclear settlement rules, unreliable team lineups or scant historical data-for instance newly promoted teams with few comparable fixtures. Skipping such matches helps conserve bankroll and focuses testing on cleaner data sets where your probability estimates are less uncertain.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls to Avoid with BTTS Markets

Failing to check operator settlement rules is a frequent cause of disputes. If you do not confirm whether a market uses regulation time only, includes extra time or applies any competition-specific exceptions, you risk being surprised at settlement. Always read the published market terms for the event you intend to wager on Smarkets help centre.

Overstating your edge and misstaking are common bankroll errors. Applying Kelly with an inaccurate probability estimate or using an excessive fixed percentage can quickly magnify losses. Conservative default rules and record keeping reduce the chance of ruinous mistakes and make performance review possible Kelly criterion: what it is and how it works in investing and gambling.

Ignoring variants and treating half-markets like full-match markets is another predictable pitfall. Half-markets are not the same as full-match markets because the time window for scoring is smaller, which changes the implied probability and the volatility of outcomes; treat each market type on its own terms What does BTTS mean? Football betting guide.

Practical Scenarios: How to Apply the Framework (Short Cases)

Scenario 1: High-scoring teams with weak defence. If two teams regularly score and concede, a BTTS Yes selection may fit your checklist, but you should still check settlement rules, compare implied probability to your estimate and size the stake using your chosen staking method. Walk through those steps: confirm rules, convert odds, assess scoring context, then apply stake sizing.

Scenario 2: Low-scoring matchup. When both teams show low scoring rates, BTTS markets will often price No as the favoured outcome. In that case the checklist may point toward a skip: unclear lineups, poor historical data or a narrow margin between your estimate and the market-implied probability are good reasons not to place a selection.

Scenario 3: Half-market and in-play examples. If you prefer shorter time windows, a first-half BTTS can be useful when early match tempo and lineup choices suggest open play. For in-play situations, set predefined rules for execution because latency and price moves can turn a reasonable-looking live price into a poor trade once execution costs are considered.

Pre-Placement Checklist: What to Verify Before Clicking Place

Confirm market settlement rules: ensure you know whether the market counts only regulation time, whether own goals count, and whether any competition exceptions apply. These rules are the authoritative reference for settlement and can change between competitions Smarkets help centre.

Odds sanity checks: convert the decimal odds into implied probability and compare to your model. If your estimate does not exceed the implied probability by a sensible margin after fees or margins, it is often better to sit out the bet Decimal odds: definition and how to calculate winnings.

Operational checks: verify you selected the intended market variant and that platform-specific rules around withdrawals or challenge mechanics are understood if you are using a funded-challenge environment. Confirming these items prevents execution errors and ensures the market you see is the market you intend to back.

In-Play BTTS: Live Considerations and When to Avoid Chasing

Live goals and match events immediately change BTTS live prices. A single goal can compress or expand the chance of both teams scoring, and the speed at which the market updates affects execution. Latency between the live event, market update and your order can cause slippage, so be clear about execution risk before entering in-play markets Smarkets help centre.

Cash-out options can be useful but they can also encourage chasing behaviour. Establish pre-defined live rules that spell out when you will enter, hold or exit an in-play BTTS market to reduce emotional decisions that erode long-term performance. Discipline and a simple protocol are more reliable than ad-hoc reactions when prices swing quickly What does BTTS mean? Football betting guide.

How BTTS Markets Fit into a Broader Prediction Strategy

BTTS can diversify a prediction portfolio because it focuses on scoring events rather than the match-winner. That difference means BTTS selections can reduce concentration risk when combined with match-winner or goal-line views, but they can also introduce their own volatility pattern that needs tracking What is Both Teams to Score? A guide to BTTS betting.

Challenge-style evaluation frameworks are useful because they force repeatability and clear rules for success and failure Kelly criterion: what it is and how it works in investing and gambling.

Use BTTS selectively: when it complements your broader view, include it; when it conflicts with higher-conviction match-winner or totals views, prefer the market that aligns with your strongest estimate. Over time, disciplined record keeping will reveal which role BTTS plays best in your strategy.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways on Both Teams to Score Markets

Recap: Both Teams to Score markets pay out on both sides scoring in regulation time, variants exist for half-match and live markets, and operator rules can change settlement details. Confirming the official market terms is essential before placing a selection Smarkets help centre.

Convert decimal odds to implied probability and compare that figure to your own estimate before staking. Use simple payout calculations to understand potential returns and avoid treating implied probability as the only input to your decision Decimal odds: definition and how to calculate winnings.

Next steps: verify market rules, run selections through the pre-bet checklist, size stakes using a conservative approach and keep a clear record of outcomes. No staking method removes risk; disciplined testing and record keeping are the reliable paths to understanding what works for your betting or prediction process Kelly criterion: what it is and how it works in investing and gambling.

What exactly counts as a goal for BTTS settlement?

A goal counts when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar; operators typically apply the Laws of the Game for settlement.

Do extra time goals count for a standard BTTS market?

No, standard BTTS markets settle on goals scored in regulation time only; extra time and penalty shootouts are usually excluded unless stated otherwise.

How should I convert decimal odds to implied probability for BTTS?

Divide 1 by the decimal odds to get implied probability, then compare that figure to your own estimated probability before staking.

Applying these principles consistently-confirming market rules, converting odds, using a checklist and sizing stakes with a conservative method-will improve decision quality over time. Keep records and treat BTTS as one tool among many in a disciplined prediction workflow.