Victor Arum is a seasoned sports betting writer who currently contributes to SportsTalkPhilly. He creates insightful guides and how-tos to help sports bettors formulate winning strategies and make informed wagers. Victor also reviews and rates sportsbooks, deeming them a SMASH or PASS. When not analysing sports betting patterns or writing, he's probably stretching at the gym or (re)watching a sitcom
All posts by Victor ArumHead-to-head betting is simply wagering on the outcome of an event based on two possible results. This form of betting typically occurs on the moneyline and means putting your money on a team or player in a game or event with just two potential outcomes.
Join us as we explain in great detail everything there is to know about head-to-head sports betting. This includes examples from the most popular US sports, including the NFL, NBA, boxing, UFC, and MLB.
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Head-to-Head Betting Explained
The concept of head-to-head betting is as old as betting itself and remains one of the most popular sports wagering methods worldwide.
One reason head-to-head sports betting is so popular is its simplicity. You are simply betting on one of two potential outcomes: a team or player to win or a team/player to lose. That is the general concept of H2H betting, but there can also be exceptions to this rule occasionally.
If a game/event ends in a draw/tie, that is the only time when head-to-head betting can get complicated. More on that a bit later on…
Straight Moneyline Wagering: The Most Popular Head To Head Bet
The most popular form of head-to-head sports betting is straight moneyline wagering. The key here is that there can only be one winning outcome, which is why H2H betting is sometimes referred to as match betting.
Betting on the moneyline in NFL, soccer, boxing, NBA, UFC, MLB, NHL, and tennis are all examples of head-to-head sports betting. You have two choices in the market: Team A to win or Team B to win. Player A to win or Player B to win. There are no ties, draws, or third selections for the bet.
Most bets placed at the best US sportsbooks will be on H2H betting markets. This creates competition amongst bookmakers and, therefore, value in terms of odds.
Example Of Head-to-Head Betting
As previously mentioned, head-to-head betting is possible in various sports. Below are two simple examples of H2H betting, both straight on the moneyline.
Football and basketball are two of the most popular US sports in terms of fandom and betting. They are perfect examples of sports with the potential for this type of wagering.
NFL Head-to-Head Betting Example
Moneyline wagering is a popular H2H betting market in football, second only to betting on the spread as the most popular bet type.
Take the Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers game as an example. As the above screenshot indicates, the Raiders are the +135 underdogs on the moneyline, with the Chargers the -165 favorites.
In this case, you are betting on two outcomes – either the Chargers to win or the Raiders. You can wager any amount, but to explain the betting odds, we’ll keep it simple. Bet $100 on the Raiders (+135), and you’ll win $135 if successful. Bet $165 on the Chargers (-165), and you’ll win $100.
Should the game be tied by the end of the fourth quarter, then the game will be decided in overtime. Check the terms and conditions of your chosen sportsbook before placing your H2H bets so that you know what happens in the event of a tie at full-time.
Most of the best US sportsbooks, such as BetOnline, will roll your H2H moneyline bet over to overtime until the winner is determined, but it is on you to check with your provider since this isn’t always the case.
NBA Head-to-Head Betting Example
The concept is the same in the NBA as it is in the NFL. If you are head-to-head betting in the NBA on the moneyline with the best NBA sportsbooks, you are wagering on a straight shootout between two teams.
In this case, the Cleveland Cavaliers are facing the Philadelphia 76ers. The moneyline odds show that the 76ers are -303 favorites, while the Cavaliers are +240 underdogs. The odds work like the NFL example above, so we won’t repeat ourselves.
Again, in the event of a tie at the end of the 4th quarter, the game will go to overtime. Most US sportsbooks will roll your moneyline bet over to overtime, but check with your bookmaker before to make sure.
Of course, there are other examples of head-to-head betting markets, such as player vs. player propositions (Most rebounds: Tatum vs. Gobert, etc.), but moneyline H2H betting on teams is by far and away the most popular.
How To Work Out a Betting Payout
Most US sportsbooks will use American-style odds with both a positive and negative number. Put simply, the positive (+) number is the profit you make from a $100 wager, meanwhile the negative (-) number is the amount you need to stake to make a $100 profit.
For example, a $100 bet at odds of +800 means you make an $800 profit if the bet wins (plus get your $100 stake back, totaling $900). A $100 bet at odds of -150 would profit just $66.67. Ensure you know the difference between the positive and negative sides of the American-style odds before placing any head-to-head bets.
The image above is a betting market for a baseball exhibition game between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros. The goal here is to simply pick the winner of the game on the H2H moneyline market.
Simply put, you are either backing the Nationals or the Astros – one of two potential outcomes for this MLB game. Assuming you are wagering $100 on each team, this is how the payout for the head-to-head betting market would look:
- Washington Nationals: $100 @ +185 = $285 total ($185 profit)
- Houston Astros: $100 @ -215 = $146.51 total ($46.51 profit)
This is the general idea of calculating your bet’s potential winnings. A general understanding of American-style odds most definitely helps here.
Your potential winnings and risk will be outlined in the bet slip before you place the bet. That way, you know precisely what is at stake when head-to-head sports betting.
Are There Ties or Draws In Head-to-Head Betting?
Although somewhat contradictory, given that H2H betting is wagering on one of two outcomes, there can sometimes be ties or draws.
This isn’t always the case and is relatively unlikely in most popular US sports, but it is worth noting that it is possible to have ties in head-to-head sports betting.
Most sportsbooks will close these markets as a push when a tie or draw occurs. A push is when the bettor receives a total stake refund, as the wager hasn’t been settled as a win or a loss.
As discussed, it is worth checking the T&Cs of your chosen sportsbooks to find out what happens if a tie occurs in a head-to-head betting market.
Examples Of A Tie In Betting
Soccer Betting
An example of where there could be a tie in a head-to-head betting market, and probably the most likely sport for a tie, is soccer. Although moneyline wagering on soccer is seen as an H2H bet, it really isn’t.
This is because you can bet on a draw. As you can see in the below example, you can bet on a soccer match ending in a tie at full-time.
As you can see, three options exist for straight moneyline wagering on the MLS. In this case, you can wager on whether the New York Red Bulls will win, Inter Miami will win, or there will be a tie.
So, although head-to-head betting in soccer is purely on the moneyline, a draw is entirely possible and sometimes probable. In cup competitions that work like the NFL or NBA playoffs, sportsbooks may roll the result over to extra time and even penalties. However, for league games, such as in the Premier League, MLS, or La Liga, the tie will be the result, and chances are your bet will lose.
Basketball Betting
Another example of a tie being possible in H2H betting is betting on which player will get the most points in an NBA game.
For example, in a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Indiana Pacers, you can bet on which player will score the most points in a head-to-head market.
Looking at the screenshot below, if Steph Curry and Tyrese Haliburton score 24 points each, the wager will generally be deemed a push, and your bet will be voided. In this case, whatever your initial outlay was as a stake will be fully refunded into your account.
This is because there was a tie in a head-to-head market that could not be settled.
As another example, let’s assume you place a bet on an NBA market for the most points in a game between Lebron James and Steph Curry. You choose Curry to score more points than James, but the pair finish with 25 points each at the end of the game.
In this case, whatever your original stake was would be refunded as the bet would be settled as a tie.
What Happens To Head To Head Betting If Things Are Tied?
As mentioned, tied head-to-head bets are usually settled as push bets or void bets. Most sportsbooks will refund you your stake in full. This is because your bet hasn’t been deemed a winner but also hasn’t lost.
However, as explained in the MLS example, this isn’t always the case. When betting on your chosen sportsbook, be sure to know what happens in the event of a tie. Bookmakers may have different rules regarding a draw/tie, so knowing precisely what happens if a tie occurs when head-to-head sports betting is paramount.
Player vs. Player H2H Betting
Although straight moneyline betting is by far the most popular market for H2H betting, it isn’t the only market. Various other examples of player vs. player betting options exist in the most popular US sports.
Player vs. player H2H markets are more prevalent in sports like football and basketball, where you can bet on things like the number of points a player will score, receiving yards, rushing yards, passing yards, etc.
Examples Of Player vs Player H2H Betting In NFL
The above exemplifies some of the NFL’s most popular head-to-head betting markets involving player vs. player competition.
In this case, there is a wide array of player-vs.-player H2H bets are available in the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins game. These markets are increasingly popular and often provide bettors with great value.
Examples Of Player vs Player H2H Betting In NBA
The same goes for player vs. player head-to-head betting in basketball. In the example above, the Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons game offers plenty of player H2H betting markets.
What Are The Main Sports For Head-to-Head Betting?
Head-to-head betting is a possibility in almost every major US sport. Whether it be football, basketball, boxing, or baseball,
The moneyline market is the most prominent when it comes to H2H betting. However, there are plenty of other markets for head-to-head sports betting, which we will detail more specifically for the most popular US sports below.
Head-to-Head Betting in NFL
As outlined before, the NFL’s most popular head-to-head betting markets are the spread and the moneyline.
Further, H2H betting markets are available for player vs. player matchups in the NFL. These matchups are based on statistics throughout the game, and NFL sportsbooks are becoming increasingly creative about how they are formed.
Popular player vs player H2H bets in the NFL include:
- Most passing yards
- Most receiving yards
- Most passing TDs
- Most rushing yards
- Most pass completions
- Most receptions
The odds aren’t always close with NFL player H2Hs, with certain players far more favored in a specific market than others.
The player matchups take one player from each team and determine how they perform H2H. The game’s final result is irrelevant for these markets, purely player vs. player.
Head-to-Head Betting in NBA
The same can be said for head-to-head betting in the NBA. Moneyline betting is the most popular strategy. However, due to NBA teams playing on the road for long periods, the moneyline is an extremely tough market to call. This is why player vs. player head-to-head betting markets are becoming more popular in the NBA.
Popular player vs player H2H bets in the NBA include:
- Most total points
- Most total rebounds
- Most assists
Head-to-Head Betting in MLB
With 2,430 games per season to enjoy, head-to-head betting in MLB generally occurs on the moneyline and the run line.
Player head-to-head betting in the MLB offers unique options, too, as you can wager on players from the same team—the best MLB sportsbooks group games with several H2H betting markets.
H2H markets for MLB betting include:
- Total runs scored over the season
- Most RBIs
- Most home runs
- Most strikeouts
Head-to-Head Betting in NHL
Moneyline wagering (also called ‘puck line betting‘ in ice hockey) is once again the most popular market for head-to-head betting in the NHL. However, betting on the spread, points total, and player-based bets are also markets where head-to-head betting is available.
Player vs. player betting in the NHL is nowhere near as common as in the NFL or NBA, and only a handful of the best NHL sportsbooks offer dedicated market coverage. This is mainly because hockey games are notoriously low-scoring, so going H2H on the total goals/assists for players, for instance, doesn’t compare to other major league sports.
Standard options for head-to-head betting within the NHL include:
- Shots on goal
- Points
- Assists
- Time on the ice
Head-to-Head Betting in Tennis
Tennis is one of the most popular sports for head-to-head betting. This is because there can only be one outcome in a tennis match. There is a winner and a loser. There are also hundreds of professional tennis games per week, making it one of the most popular sports for professional gamblers to wager on.
Tennis matches can’t end in a draw, so standard moneyline bets are applied to all matches. The match’s outcome is the head-to-head market – either Player A or B will win. That is the only possible outcome in tennis.
Although the match-winner (moneyline) market is the most popular H2H betting option in tennis, there are several others too. The best tennis betting sites will allow you to bet on the player to progress the furthest and several other alternates, including:
- Most volley winners
- Most aces
- Most forehand winners
- Most backhand winners
- Most games won
- Most sets won
Head-to-Head Betting in Boxing
Head-to-head betting in boxing comes in many forms, but straight moneyline wagering is the most popular. This is simply betting on which fighter of the two will win.
There are plenty of alternate markets, too, though. These include most knockdowns, most punches landed, method of victory, and over/under total rounds are all examples of other head-to-head betting markets in boxing. Most of the best boxing betting sites offer these H2H markets.
Head-to-Head Betting in MMA/UFC
Like boxing, head-to-head betting is popular in UFC fights, too. Whether it be a straight moneyline wager, over/under rounds total, most knockdowns, most significant strikes, first knockdown, first takedown, or method of victory, head-to-head betting remains the most popular form in MMA, given that it is a contest between two individuals.
All of the best UFC betting sites and apps offer straight moneyline betting on every fight on the card. The bigger the fight, the more H2H betting markets there may be.
Head-to-Head Betting in Soccer
Soccer is one of the sports in which head-to-head betting has started to change significantly. As detailed further up this page, this is because moneyline bets are 3-way rather than the standard 2-way. There are three options: home win, away win, and draw.
The majority of the best soccer betting sites will offer the spread and over/under goals total as two further head-to-head betting options. However, this is only applicable in most cases to significant leagues such as the Champions League and Premier League, with more minor leagues such as the MLS limited to 3-way moneyline bets.
Other popular head-to-head betting markets in soccer include the likes of ‘both teams to score’ and ‘draw no bet’. On top of these, there are also an array of player-related H2H betting markets, including:
- Most goals
- Total shots
- Shots on target
- Most assists
- Player to be carded
- Most passes
- Distance ran
- Goalkeeper to make most saves
Head-to-Head Betting in Golf
Golf is another popular sport for betting as it has coverage most weeks of the year. Whether it be the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, DP World Tour, or the four majors (Masters, PGA Championship, The Open, US Open), the volume of golf betting options is vast.
The standard market when golf betting is outright on the moneyline, although this isn’t necessarily a head-to-head market. The most popular H2H golf betting market is the player matchup.
This is a fun wager offered by the best golf betting sites, with a match created between two players in the field. You are then simply betting on who will shoot the lowest score. This market can run for 18, 36, 54, or 72 holes.
The image below is an example of head-to-head bets in golf. In this example, the bettors pick the player who shoots the lowest Round 2 score out of the two. It is worth noting that none of these players are in the same group but have been created as match-ups by the sportsbook.
Best Strategies & Tips For Head To Head Betting
As you can probably work out for yourself by now, head-to-head betting is one of the most exciting bet types in the industry. It allows bettors to bet on multiple H2H markets rather than just your standard moneyline, spread, and over/under bet types.
Forming a betting strategy is integral to becoming successful at sports betting. You need to apply a solid foundation before placing your wagers, thus giving yourself the best chance of increasing profitability.
Below are four tips that could help you become more successful when it comes to this way of betting:
1. Research Is Key
Like any betting strategy, doing your research is an absolute must. By investigating things like form, head-to-head records, and player injuries, you are giving yourself the best chance of placing winning H2H bets.
Doing an in-depth analysis of a game, including both teams and individual players, gives you the best chance of making a profit. The more information you have about a game, the more educated you will be about selecting an H2H wager.
For example, if you know a specific team has won the last five H2H meetings against another team but is underdogs on the moneyline, you could profit from backing them.
Of course, sports betting is a lottery sometimes, and not all your research comes to fruition. But it certainly helps you make a more informed betting decision overall.
2. Shop Around For The Best Odds/Betting Lines
Finding value is the best way to continue profiting from online sports betting. It can be as simple as shopping around various bookmakers to find the best odds on a market you wish to wager, but value betting is a skill.
You must be willing to work to determine fair market value for each bet. Searching around sportsbooks for the best betting lines and odds can take time, but it can further enhance your winnings and, in turn, make you more profitable in the long run.
When shopping around for the best odds and betting lines, don’t forget to explore various platforms, including those offering offshore poker, as they may provide competitive odds and unique betting opportunities in head-to-head markets.
3. Target Player Bets If Team Markets Don’t Offer Value
There will come occasions in sports betting where there aren’t many markets that appeal to you.
Say none of the moneyline, spread, or over/under odds just out to you; digging a bit deeper can often present you with the bet you are after. If regular team markets aren’t offering much value, why not look at some player prop bets?
Looking at H2H betting markets will likely give you at least one bet that you feel presents solid value. This could be player receiving, passing, or running yards in the NFL. In the NBA, this could be total points, total rebounds, or most assists.
With some research, we can see how each player might fare in these brackets. Determine which of the two players involved in the player vs. player H2H bet has the best chance of winning. Simply base this off-season and recent game data on it and see if it offers any value.
4. Backing Away Sides Could Present Better Value
The fourth and final potential strategy for H2H betting could be backing the away side. Sometimes, bettors are reluctant to back teams on their travels, as more often than not, it’s the home side that wins the game. However, this isn’t always the case.
Using head-to-head data as a form guide is a great starting point, but looking at recent form and winning streaks could also be your best friend—this kind of ties into doing your research. A simple tip here is to begin with visiting teams in form.
An online study by Punters Playbook determined that betting on teams that won the previous game between the two sides created a +17 unit swing and a 104.3% ROI. When betting on the visiting team, the numbers improve again, with a 107% ROI across the same sample.
This showcases the merit of betting on visiting teams in form for markets such as the moneyline, spread, and over/under points total.
How to Place a Head-to-Head Bet
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to place an H2H wager, using the Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia fight for the WBC World Super-Lightweight Title as an example:
Locate the Boxing Markets
Locate the boxing option in the left-hand navigation menu of your chosen sportsbook. In this example, we are using BetOnline, one of the best offshore sportsbooks on the market, which offers a myriad of free sports bets.
Select Bouts on the Right-Hand Menu
Once you have done that, click ‘Bouts.’ This will automatically bring up a list of upcoming fights. There are also boxing props and exhibition options, but for this example, you want to click on the ‘Bouts’ option.
Select the Fight You Wish to Wager on
The moneyline wager is the most common H2H bet for boxing, so that is the market you will likely be looking for. In this case, we have decided to wager on the Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia fight. As you can see, the moneyline odds heavily favor Haney. Meanwhile, Garcia is the big underdog.
Place Your H2H Moneyline Boxing Bet
Once you have decided which fighter to back to win the fight, click on the odds to add it to your bet slip. Now, all that’s left to do is to set your stake and place your bet. As you can see in the example above, we are backing Devin Haney to win at -900 odds with a $50 stake. If this H2H boxing bet comes in, we will profit $5.56, meaning it will return $55.56. For this bet to win, you just require Haney to win the fight – as simple as that.
The Final Word – Is Head To Head Betting Worth It?
Head-to-head betting remains and always will remain one of the most popular ways to gamble. It involves betting simply on a game or event with only two possible outcomes. However, the term goes beyond moneyline betting nowadays and can include player-vs.-player H2H markets and various other teams-vs.-team bets.
To conclude, head-to-head betting is so popular due to its sheer simplicity. All that matters is the outcome of a game or event. Has Team X won, or did Team Y take the victory? That’s all there is to it, for the most part. Consequently, it’s less that this wagering option is ‘worth it‘ and more that it’s practically impossible to avoid. Regardless of whether you choose to bet at home, on the go, or at a brick-and-mortar location, you will be betting head-to-head, so it pays to understand your options.
FAQs
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