BTTS Meaning: Both Teams to Score Explained
BTTS means "both teams to score". It is a yes/no bet on whether each team scores at least one goal in the match. "BTTS – Yes" wins on scores like 1-1, 2-1 or 3-2; "BTTS – No" wins if either team fails to score, so 0-0, 1-0 and 4-0 all win for "No". The winner of the match does not matter.
It is one of the most popular football markets at South African bookmakers because it is simple to follow. This guide explains how both teams to score is settled, the common combinations such as BTTS and over 2.5, and the rules that apply to extra time, own goals and abandoned matches.
Both teams to score meaning
You are betting on one question: will both sides find the net? You are not betting on who wins, how many goals are scored in total, or when they come.
- BTTS – Yes: each team scores one or more goals.
- BTTS – No: at least one team scores nothing.
The market is often shown as "Both Teams To Score", "BTTS" or "GG/NG" (goal-goal / no goal) on some bet slips. The exact label depends on the bookmaker and can change.
BTTS results table
| Final score | BTTS – Yes | BTTS – No |
|---|---|---|
| 0-0 | Loses | Wins |
| 1-0 | Loses | Wins |
| 3-0 | Loses | Wins |
| 1-1 | Wins | Loses |
| 2-1 | Wins | Loses |
| 3-2 | Wins | Loses |
A 3-0 win looks like a goal-fest, but it still loses BTTS – Yes because one team did not score. A tight 1-1 wins it.
How BTTS is settled
- 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Goals in extra time and penalty shoot-outs do not count, unless the market states that it includes extra time.
- Own goals count for the team credited with the goal — the side that benefits, not the player who touched it last. An own goal by a home defender counts as a goal for the away team.
- Abandoned matches. If both teams had already scored, some bookmakers settle BTTS – Yes as a winner; others void every unfinished match. Check the sports rules of your bookmaker.
- Live bets. An in-play BTTS bet counts every goal in the match, including goals before you placed it.
First-half and second-half BTTS
Many bookmakers also offer BTTS in the first half and BTTS in the second half. Only goals in that half count. A match that is 1-0 at the break and ends 1-1 loses first-half BTTS – Yes but wins full-match BTTS – Yes.
There is sometimes a "BTTS in both halves" market too, where each team must score in each half. That needs at least four goals, so it is priced much longer.
BTTS combinations
BTTS is often combined with another market in one selection. Both parts must be right for the bet to win.
BTTS and over 2.5 goals
This needs both teams to score and three or more goals in total. So 2-1 and 2-2 win, but 1-1 loses (only two goals) and 3-0 loses (one team did not score). If the over/under part is new to you, our over/under goals guide has a full results table.
| Final score | BTTS – Yes | Over 2.5 | BTTS & over 2.5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | Yes | No | Loses |
| 2-1 | Yes | Yes | Wins |
| 3-0 | No | Yes | Loses |
| 2-2 | Yes | Yes | Wins |
BTTS and match result
For example "Home to win and BTTS – Yes": the home side must win and the away side must score, such as 2-1 or 3-1. A 1-0 home win loses, and so does a 1-1 draw.
BTTS – No and a team to win
Often called "win to nil" when framed around one team: that team must win without conceding. A 2-0 home win wins "Home to win to nil"; a 2-1 home win does not.
Combo bets vs accumulators
A single combined market (such as "BTTS & over 2.5") is priced by the bookmaker as one selection. Adding BTTS and over 2.5 as two separate legs from the same match is usually blocked, because the outcomes are linked. Bet builders exist for that — they combine markets from one match with a price the bookmaker sets.
How the odds work
Your return is your stake multiplied by the decimal odds. As an illustration, a R50 stake on BTTS – Yes at odds of 1.90 returns R95 if it wins.
Prices for Yes and No shift with the teams involved and the bookmaker's margin. Neither side is a safe option, and odds are not a forecast you can rely on. We do not publish predictions or tips; this page is about how the bet works.
Where to bet on BTTS in South Africa
Every licensed SA bookmaker we list carries BTTS on major football leagues, and many add half-time and combo versions. Read our reviews of Hollywoodbets and Betway, or compare all licensed operators on the comparison page. If you plan to use a welcome offer on BTTS, check its minimum odds first on our bonuses page — short-priced BTTS bets may not count towards wagering.
FAQ
What does BTTS – No mean?
It means at least one team will not score. It wins on any score where one side has zero, including 0-0 and one-sided wins such as 3-0.
Does an own goal count for BTTS?
Yes. An own goal is credited to the team that benefits from it, so it can complete BTTS – Yes for that team.
Does BTTS include extra time?
Normally not. BTTS settles on 90 minutes plus stoppage time unless the market says it includes extra time.
What is the difference between BTTS and over 1.5 goals?
Over 1.5 only needs two goals in total, from either team, so 2-0 wins it. BTTS needs a goal from each team, so 2-0 loses it. A 1-1 draw wins both.
For more market definitions, see our betting terms glossary and draw no bet vs double chance. Betting is for over-18s only. Set a budget you can afford to lose, and if betting stops being fun, call the free NRGP helpline on 0800 006 008 or visit our responsible gambling page.
More on this topic: Betting basics.
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