English Moneyline is an American term equivalent to the European concept of a "match market". This means that the bet is placed on the outcome of a game or match. The designations "1" and "2" refer to the outcomes: 1 for the first opponent and 2 for the second.
The 12 Moneyline market is used in sports, events and matches where only two outcomes are possible and a draw is excluded.
A clear and simple example of a sport where only the 12 Moneyline market is available is tennis, in which only the first or second opponent can win. 12 Moneyline bets are also offered to determine the final outcome, including overtime or penalties, in sports such as hockey, basketball and American football.
If the match ends in a draw at the end of regulation time when using the 12 Moneyline market, your bet remains active until a winner is determined in overtime, additional innings or penalties.
This lower level of risk is often reflected in the betting odds. Theoretically, when betting on the 1x2 market, you have a 33% chance of winning, since there are three possible outcomes. By eliminating the draw and choosing between two outcomes, the probability of winning increases to 50%. Therefore, the odds in these markets are lower because of the lower risk for the bettor and the higher risk for the bookmaker.
Advantages and disadvantages of 12 Moneyline bets:
- Moneyline bets are the most popular, and all bookmakers, even those with a modest offering, include Moneyline bets.
- Moneyline bets usually offer the highest possible betting limits and good market liquidity for most sports and leagues, making them equally suitable for professional and recreational players.
- In some sports, such as tennis, depending on the bookmaker's rules, if only one set has been played and the athlete wins it but then retires due to injury, the defeat will be attributed to them and, therefore, the bet on them will lose.
- Moneyline odds are among the most carefully monitored and accurate compared with other sports betting markets, making them less suitable for finding overpriced odds (value bets).
Conclusion on 12 Moneyline bets:
It is considered reasonable that in this type of bet the probability of winning is higher than in bets with three possible outcomes. To win the bet, the selected team must win the game, regardless of whether it does so in regulation time, overtime or after penalties.
If the match ends in a draw at the end of regulation time, the bet is not settled yet; it is neither a loss nor a refund, you simply have to wait for the result after overtime, etc.
P.S. There is a separate market called 1x2 Moneyline, which also includes the draw, marked as "X". Betting outcomes are calculated according to the result at the end of regulation time (four quarters in basketball, three periods in hockey or nine innings in American football). This market is frequently called the "main result".