Meaning of ‘Halftime/Fulltime (HT/FT)’ in Sports Betting
The Halftime/Fulltime (HT/FT) bet is a popular type of wager where you are betting on two outcomes in a single match: the result at halftime AND the result at fulltime (the end of regulation play).
For your bet to be a winner, you must correctly predict both parts. If either the halftime result or the fulltime result is wrong, your entire bet is lost. This two-part condition makes it a more challenging bet than a simple match winner bet, but it also offers significantly higher odds.
How a Halftime/Fulltime Bet Works
When you place an HT/FT bet, you are presented with nine possible outcomes. Using a soccer match between Manchester United (the home team) and Liverpool (the away team) as an example, the options are:
| Halftime Result | Fulltime Result | HT/FT Bet Option | Explanation |
| Man United Leads | Man United Wins | Home / Home | Man United leads at halftime and wins the match. |
| Man United Leads | Match is a Draw | Home / Draw | Man United leads at halftime, but Liverpool equalises. |
| Man United Leads | Liverpool Wins | Home / Away | Man United leads at halftime, but Liverpool comes back to win. |
| Match is a Draw | Man United Wins | Draw / Home | The score is level at halftime, but Man United wins the match. |
| Match is a Draw | Match is a Draw | Draw / Draw | The score is level at halftime and remains a draw at fulltime. |
| Match is a Draw | Liverpool Wins | Draw / Away | The score is level at halftime, but Liverpool wins the match. |
| Liverpool Leads | Man United Wins | Away / Home | Liverpool leads at halftime, but Man United comes back to win. |
| Liverpool Leads | Match is a Draw | Away / Draw | Liverpool leads at halftime, but Man United equalises. |
| Liverpool Leads | Liverpool Wins | Away / Away | Liverpool leads at halftime and wins the match. |
Important Note on “Fulltime”
As with other similar bets, “Fulltime” in soccer refers to the score after 90 minutes plus any injury/stoppage time. It does not include extra time or penalty shootouts.
Example Scenarios
Let’s say you place a $10 bet on “Draw / Home” at odds of 4/1 in the Manchester United vs. Liverpool game.
- To win your bet: The score must be tied at halftime (e.g., 0-0 or 1-1), AND Manchester United must win the match by the end of regulation (e.g., 1-0 or 2-1). If both happen, your bet wins, and you receive a $50 return ($40 profit + $10 stake).
- To lose your bet: Any other combination will result in a loss. For instance, if Manchester United leads 1-0 at halftime and wins 2-0, your bet loses because the halftime result was not a draw.
Application in US Sports
The HT/FT concept is also available in American sports, though the terminology might vary slightly (e.g., “Half Time/Full Time” or “1st Half/Game Result”).
- American Football (NFL): You bet on the result at the end of the 2nd quarter and the result at the end of the 4th quarter (including overtime).
- Basketball (NBA): You bet on the result at the end of the 2nd quarter and the result at the end of the 4th quarter (including overtime).
The Halftime/Fulltime market is a great way to find better value than in the standard winner market, especially if you can predict the flow of a game, such as a team starting slow before clinching a win in the second half.