Your ultimate guide to understanding and profiting from the most popular football betting market.
If you're a Kenyan bettor like me, you've probably come across the 1X2 market countless times on platforms like 1xBet, BetWinner, or 22Bet. It’s one of the most straightforward betting options out there — but don’t let its simplicity fool you. There's real strategy behind it. I've placed hundreds of 1X2 bets using M-Pesa and learned a lot from both wins and losses. In this guide, I’ll break it all down based on my personal experience so you can avoid the mistakes I made early on and focus on winning more consistently.
In the 1X2 market, you’re simply betting on the outcome of a football match. The "1" stands for the home team to win, "X" is a draw, and "2" is the away team to win. That’s it. No goals needed, no extra rules. For example, if Gor Mahia is playing Tusker FC in the KPL and you back "1", you're predicting a home win in 90 minutes. If the game ends 2-1, you win. But if it ends 1-1 or 1-2, you lose.
I mostly use 1X2 bets when I'm confident about form and motivation. Let's say Arsenal is playing at home against Luton, and they've won their last 5 matches at the Emirates. Meanwhile, Luton struggles on the road. I’ll place a "1" with moderate stake. But here’s the trick — if I suspect a draw, I never chase odds blindly. I usually check the last 5 H2H results, recent injuries, and even lineup news. One time, I won big on a "2" when I backed Senegal to beat Egypt away, based on their midfield advantage and recent CAF form.
Most betting sites in Kenya offer 1X2 markets. My go-to platforms are:
Odds reflect probability. If AFC Leopards are given 1.50 to beat Mathare United, that implies a high chance of a home win. But if the draw is 4.00, the bookmaker thinks it’s less likely. I always multiply my stake by the odds to check potential returns. For example, KSh 500 on odds of 2.50 returns KSh 1,250 if it wins. I also compare odds across multiple sites using odds aggregators for maximum value.
Back in February, I bet on a CAF Champions League game between Simba SC and Al Ahly. The odds for a draw were 3.10. Based on team fatigue and tactical matchups, I predicted a stalemate. I placed KSh 800 on X and the match ended 1-1. I walked away with KSh 2,480. It wasn’t a lucky guess — it was informed by data, research, and gut feeling combined.
1X2 is a fantastic entry point into football betting. It’s easy to understand, available on every bookmaker, and when used smartly, can deliver solid returns. Want to give it a go? Check out our 1xBet Kenya Guide to get started with your first 1X2 bet today.