What is a “To Win to Nil” Bet and Its Pros and Cons?
Betting on a dominant win for your team can lead to skyrocketing rewards—payouts raining down is every bettor’s dream. That’s why many newcomers to football betting often explore this option early on. So, what is a “To Win to Nil” bet? How is it calculated, and what are the pros and cons of using this betting type? bet win tips break it all down for you below.
What is a "To Win to Nil" Bet?
A "To Win to Nil" bet is a type of wager that reflects a team’s dominant strength in a football match. In English, this type of bet is literally named "To Win to Nil", which means winning without conceding a goal—complete domination in the match.
You can place this bet during the regular match time (excluding extra time and penalty shootouts). Typically, players only opt for this bet when there’s a significant difference in strength between the two teams.
According to football betting rules, if your chosen team wins to nil, you receive a substantial payout. This type of bet is seen as a great money-making opportunity—especially if you have a lot of experience in football betting. Bookmakers usually indicate this bet using specific symbols on the odds board:
H: Home team
A: Away team
How Payouts Are Calculated for "To Win to Nil" Bets
At most sportsbooks today, winnings for this bet type are calculated using the following formula:
Winnings = Stake × Odds
Odds depend on how generous the bookmaker ratings is.
Here are some scenarios where you might lose your bet:
If your team concedes a goal—even if they win—you lose.
If both teams score, you lose 50% of your bet.
If your chosen team loses the match, you lose 100% of your bet.
Example:
In a match between Manchester United and Liverpool, you bet 1,000 points on MU to win to nil. The bookmaker offers odds of 2.5.
If MU wins without conceding, your payout is:
1,000 × 2.5 = 2,500 points
(Converted to cash depending on your sportsbook's rate.)
If MU loses, you lose your entire 1,000-point stake.
If MU wins, but both teams score (e.g., 2-1), you still lose your entire 1,000-point stake.
Pros and Cons of "To Win to Nil" Betting
Betting on a dominant win is high-risk but offers high rewards and excitement. According to seasoned bettors, this type of wager comes with several strengths and weaknesses:
Pros
Highly thrilling, stimulates the risk-taking spirit of players
Perfect for ambitious bettors seeking big wins
Makes matches more intense and emotional for both the bettor and viewers
Enhances the viewing experience with heightened anticipation
Large rewards—could be life-changing if you hit the jackpot
Cons
Dominant wins (clean sheets) are rare unless the skill gap between teams is significant
If you're inexperienced or lack football knowledge, you’re highly likely to lose
Relies heavily on precise match predictions and understanding of team strength
With all this info, you now clearly understand what a “To Win to Nil” bet is, and how it works—complete with a simple example. As the football season approaches, gear up with more useful knowledge to have fun and maybe even grab some big prizes from the bookies. You can also check out: What is a Both Teams to Score Bet?
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