What a 3-Way Moneyline Is (and what it isn’t)
On a 3-way moneyline you must choose one of three options:
- Home (1) — wins in regulation.
- Draw (X) — score is level at the end of regulation.
- Away (2) — wins in regulation.
Overtime and shootouts are not part of settlement unless the book explicitly states otherwise. That means:
- You back Home; the game is tied after 90 minutes and your team wins in extra time → your 3-way bet loses (because regulation ended level).
- You back Draw; the game is tied after 90 minutes and someone wins in extra time → your 3-way bet wins (it only cares about the regulation result).
This is the single biggest point of confusion, and it’s where many beginners donate money.
3-Way vs 2-Way, Draw No Bet, and Double Chance
It’s easy to mix these up, so here’s the plain-English difference:
2-Way Moneyline (No Draw Offered)
- Only two outcomes are offered (Team A or Team B).
- In soccer/hockey, this usually includes overtime/penalties to guarantee a winner.
- Safer than 3-way if you don’t want Draw exposure in regulation.
Draw No Bet (DNB)
- You pick a team; Draw = refund.
- Lower odds than pure 3-way sides, but you eliminate the draw loss.
- Great when you lean to a side but think a stalemate is likely.
Double Chance (1X / X2 / 12)
- You cover two of three outcomes (e.g., Home or Draw).
- Highest safety, lowest price; useful for parlays or protecting edges in volatile games.
Where 3-Way Moneylines Show Up (and how they settle)
Soccer (football)
- Settlement: 90 minutes + stoppage time (no extra time, no penalties).
- Cup ties and knockout rounds can still be “3-way” for the regulation result even if the match continues to extra time afterward.
Hockey
- Settlement: 60 minutes (three periods).
- If it’s tied after 60 and your selection wasn’t Draw, it’s a loser—even if your side wins in OT or the shootout.
International basketball & other sports
- Some competitions book 3-way markets for regulation only; always check the house rules.
Practical Reading of a 3-Way Board
When you open a match page and see three prices labeled something like 1 – X – 2, read it as:
- 1 (Home) must be ahead at full time.
- X (Draw) must be level at full time.
- 2 (Away) must be ahead at full time.
If you’re expecting a tight, low-event game (think defensive soccer matchup or two hot goalies in hockey), Draw often carries real value — because regulation ties happen more often than casual bettors assume. Conversely, if you project late scoring volatility (fatigued defenses, aggressive substitutions, empty-net risk), the draw probability can shrink.
Strategy Tips and Common Mistakes
Price the draw on purpose.
Most novices mentally price only “who’s better” and ignore the draw probability—then wonder why their 3-way sides keep losing. Start with a rough split of Home / Draw / Away that totals 100%. If you can’t justify that middle bucket, you’re guessing.
Know the settlement window.
3-way = regulation only almost everywhere. If you want OT included, switch to a 2-way line (or a “to qualify” market in cup ties).
Use Draw No Bet when you like a side but hate the stalemate risk.
DNB converts “draw losses” into refunds at the cost of a lower price. For underdogs you like to be stubborn, X2 Double Chance can be smarter than betting the dog straight 3-way.
Respect market signals near kickoff/puck drop.
Late lineup news (rested striker, backup goalie) or tactical hints can swing draw probability. BetRocket’s line-move tracking helps you see sharp shifts in time to act — without chasing stale numbers.
Shop the cluster, not a single number.
For soccer and hockey, always compare 3-way, 2-way, DNB, and Double Chance side-by-side. Your viewpoint on the draw dictates which product gives the best expected value.
How BetRocket Fits In
BetRocket is an independent analytics platform (we do not accept or place bets). We help you answer “is this price fair?” instead of “do I feel lucky?” — especially useful when you’re asking yourself what does moneyline 3 way mean in practice.
- EV+ scanning: We compare implied probabilities on 1-X-2 to your model or historical baselines, highlighting mispriced draws and sides.
- Line-movement view: See how the market reprices regulation vs OT-inclusive markets as news breaks.
- Cross-market comparison: Instantly evaluate 3-way vs 2-way vs DNB vs Double Chance to choose the product that matches your thesis and risk tolerance.
- Bankroll tracking: Record decisions and closing prices so you can learn whether you consistently misprice the draw or nail it.
Conclusion
A 3-way moneyline is simply the regulation-time match result: Home, Draw, or Away. It differs from 2-way moneylines because the Draw is an actual outcome, and it settles before any overtime or penalties. If you price the draw thoughtfully — and choose between 3-way, DNB, Double Chance, or 2-way based on that view — you’ll stop donating margin on avoidable losses. Use BetRocket to quantify edge, track late line moves, and compare products side-by-side so every pick has a reason beyond intuition.