What Is a Half Time/Full Time Bet? (HT/FT) Example

A Half Time/Full Time (HT/FT) bet is a popular football betting market that offers an alternative to simply trying to predict the final result of a match. It allows you to bet on the outcome at half time and at full time within the same wager.

In this guide, we explain what a Half Time/Full Time bet is and how it works, using a clear, practical example to illustrate how it applies in real match situations. We also outline how to place an HT/FT bet, address some common questions, and highlight important factors to consider before placing a bet.

Whether you are new to football betting or looking to explore different betting markets, this guide aims to provide a straightforward overview of HT/FT betting so you can decide whether it suits your approach.

Half Time/Full Time Bet Meaning Explained

A Half Time/Full Time (HT/FT) bet requires you to try to predict the match result at two specific points during a football game: the scoreline at half-time and the scoreline at full-time. Half-time refers to the end of the first 45 minutes of play, including any added injury time, while full-time refers to the end of the standard 90 minutes, again including injury time. Importantly, this market does not take into account extra time or penalty shootouts, even if they occur later in cup competitions.

When placing an HT/FT bet, you are not trying to predict the exact number of goals scored. Instead, you are selecting one of three outcomes at each stage of the match: a home win, a draw, or an away win. For example, a “Home/Home” selection means the home team must be leading at half-time and still be leading at full-time. A “Draw/Away” selection means the match must be level at half-time, with the away team going on to win by the end of the match.

Because there are three possible outcomes at half-time and three possible outcomes at full-time, there are nine possible HT/FT combinations in total. These are:

Home/Home
Home/Draw
Home/Away
Draw/Home
Draw/Draw
Draw/Away
Away/Home
Away/Draw
Away/Away

Each of these outcomes represents a distinct betting option, and each will be priced differently by bookmakers. Outcomes that are considered less likely, such as a team losing at half-time and then winning at full-time, will generally have higher odds than more straightforward scenarios like Home/Home or Away/Away.

HT/FT bets are often viewed as more challenging than standard match result bets because they require two correct predictions instead of one. This added complexity is why the odds are usually higher, reflecting the increased difficulty and risk involved. Bookmakers set these odds using a combination of historical data, team statistics, current form, injuries, and other relevant factors, but no outcome is guaranteed.

Half Time/Full Time Bet Example

To understand how this market works in practice, consider a fictional football match between Forest Town (the home team) and Seabourne United (the away team). You decide to place a Half Time/Full Time bet on “Home/Draw”, meaning you believe Forest Town will be leading at half-time, but the match will finish as a draw.

For this bet to be successful, two specific conditions must be met:

Forest Town must be ahead at half-time. This could be any scoreline where they are winning, such as 1–0, 2–0, or 2–1, as long as they have more goals than Seabourne United when the first half ends.
By the end of full-time, the overall score must be level. This could be 1–1, 2–2, 3–3, or any other draw scoreline after 90 minutes and added time.

If either of these conditions is not satisfied, the bet will be settled as a loss. For example, if the score is 0–0 at half-time, the “Home” part of the bet fails. Similarly, if Forest Town are winning at half-time and then go on to win the match, the “Draw” part of the bet fails. Both parts must be correct for the bet to win.

This example highlights why HT/FT betting is closely linked to how a match unfolds. Factors such as tactical changes, substitutions, injuries, or shifts in momentum can all influence whether a team maintains a lead, recovers from a losing position, or concedes late goals. While analysing these factors can inform your betting decisions, football remains unpredictable, and outcomes can change quickly.

How To Place a Half Time/Full Time Bet

Placing a Half Time/Full Time bet is usually straightforward, especially if you choose to use a well-established, UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licensed betting site such as Bet442. While the layout of betting platforms may differ, the overall process tends to be similar across most bookmakers.

Choose a licensed bookmaker: You would start by selecting a bookmaker that offers football betting markets, including Half Time/Full Time options. Using a site regulated by the UKGC can provide reassurance that the operator follows standards designed to protect customers.
Select your match: Once you have chosen a bookmaker, you can navigate to the football section and select the match you are interested in. This might be a domestic league fixture, an international match, or a cup tie, as long as HT/FT betting is available.
Open the HT/FT market: After selecting the match, you would browse the available betting markets and look for one labelled “Half Time/Full Time” or “HT/FT”. In some cases, this market may be listed under match result or special markets, but it is usually clearly identified.
Choose your HT/FT outcome: You will then see the nine possible HT/FT combinations, each with its own odds. At this point, you would choose the option that best reflects how you think the match might look at half-time and at full-time, such as a draw at the break followed by a home win.
Enter your stake: If you decide to proceed, you would enter your stake, which is the amount you are willing to bet, shown in pounds sterling (£). The betting slip will typically update automatically to show your potential return based on the current odds.
Review and place your bet: Before confirming, it is important to review all the details carefully. Once you place the bet, it usually cannot be changed or cancelled.

Before placing any HT/FT bet, it is sensible to read the bookmaker’s terms and conditions. These explain how bets are settled, what happens if a match is abandoned or postponed, and any other rules that may apply. It is also worth remembering that odds can change, sometimes quickly, due to factors such as team news or market activity.

HT/FT betting may appeal if you like to think about how a match could develop over time rather than focusing solely on the final score. However, as with all forms of betting, there is no guarantee of success. Understanding how the market works can help you decide whether it is suitable for you.

HT/FT Betting FAQs

Is a Half Time/Full Time Bet The Same as Win Both Halves?

No. A Half Time/Full Time bet focuses on which team is ahead at half-time and at full-time, regardless of when the goals are scored.

A “Win Both Halves” bet requires your chosen team to outscore the opponent in each half separately, which makes it a different and more specific market.

Does Full Time Result Include Extra Time?

No. In an HT/FT bet, full-time only covers the result after 90 minutes plus any injury time.

Extra time and penalty shootouts are not included and are settled under separate betting markets.

How Do You Win a Half Time/Full Time Bet?

To win, both your half-time and full-time predictions must be correct. If either part is wrong, the bet will lose. Because it involves two outcomes, HT/FT betting is generally more difficult than trying to predict just the final result, which is reflected in higher odds.

*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.

**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.