MLS and Soccer Betting in Canada: 1X2, Draw No Bet and Totals
By StakeReferralCode.ca Editorial Team · Updated
Soccer betting differs from hockey or basketball betting in one big way: the draw. Most soccer markets settle on the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, and a tie is a common outcome. That's why the main market has three options, and why Draw No Bet exists.
This guide explains the three markets most Canadian bettors start with on MLS and other leagues: 1X2, Draw No Bet and totals. We use Toronto FC, CF Montréal and the Vancouver Whitecaps for examples, with made-up odds purely to show the maths. We don't give picks.
Who can use Stake for soccer betting
Stake.com is not available in Ontario or Alberta. Ontario is a prohibited jurisdiction in Stake's terms, and Alberta now has its own regulated market where Stake runs a separate licensed site. Elsewhere in Canada, Stake.com accepts players, but it's licensed in Curaçao rather than by a province, which puts it in a legal grey area. Check Stake's terms and your province's rules before you deposit. Single-event betting has been legal in Canada since Bill C-218 took effect on August 27, 2021, and province-run sites remain the regulated alternative.
The 90-minute rule
Before any market, understand what "full time" means. In standard soccer markets:
- The bet covers regulation time: 90 minutes plus stoppage (injury) time.
- Extra time and penalty shootouts don't count unless the market says so. This matters in MLS playoff games and cup ties, where a match can go beyond 90 minutes.
- Separate markets such as "To Qualify" or "To Lift the Trophy" include extra time and penalties. Read the market name before you click.
If CF Montréal win a knockout game on penalties after 1–1, a 1X2 bet on them loses: the 90-minute result was a draw.
1X2: the three-way moneyline
The 1X2 market is the soccer equivalent of a moneyline, with one extra outcome:
| Selection | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Home team wins in 90 minutes |
| X | Draw after 90 minutes |
| 2 | Away team wins in 90 minutes |
Worked example (illustrative odds)
Say Toronto FC host the Vancouver Whitecaps and the market shows:
| Outcome | Decimal odds | Implied probability (1 ÷ odds) |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto FC (1) | 2.40 | 41.7% |
| Draw (X) | 3.40 | 29.4% |
| Vancouver (2) | 2.90 | 34.5% |
Add the implied probabilities and you get about 105.6%. The extra 5.6% over 100% is the bookmaker's margin, sometimes called the overround or vig. Every market has one; it's how the house builds in its edge. Our guide on how to read betting odds covers this conversion in more detail.
A $10 bet on Toronto at 2.40 returns $24 (a $14 profit) if Toronto win. If the game ends 1–1 or Vancouver win, the stake is lost.
Draw No Bet: removing the tie
Draw No Bet (DNB) takes the draw out of the equation. You pick a team, and:
- If your team wins, you're paid.
- If the match is a draw, your stake is refunded.
- If your team loses, the bet loses.
The trade-off is lower odds than the 1X2 price on the same team, because you've bought protection against the draw.
Worked example (illustrative odds)
Using the same match, imagine Toronto FC Draw No Bet is priced at 1.70.
| Result after 90 min | 1X2 bet on Toronto at 2.40 ($10) | DNB bet on Toronto at 1.70 ($10) |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto win | Returns $24 | Returns $17 |
| Draw | Loses $10 | $10 refunded |
| Vancouver win | Loses $10 | Loses $10 |
Neither is "better". DNB trades payout for draw protection; the 1X2 accepts draw risk for a bigger return. The margin is built into both.
Double chance (1X, X2 or 12) covers two outcomes, usually at even shorter odds. Unlike DNB, a draw on 1X or X2 wins rather than refunds.
Totals: over/under goals
Totals markets ask how many goals both teams score combined in 90 minutes. The most common line is 2.5 goals.
- Over 2.5 wins with 3 or more goals.
- Under 2.5 wins with 0, 1 or 2 goals.
- The half-goal means there's no tie on that line.
Whole-number and quarter lines
You'll also see lines like 2.0, 3.0 or 2.25. These come from Asian-style totals:
| Line | What happens |
|---|---|
| Over 2.5 | 3+ goals wins; 2 or fewer loses |
| Over 3.0 | 4+ goals wins; exactly 3 is a push (refund); 2 or fewer loses |
| Over 2.25 | Stake split: half on Over 2.0, half on Over 2.5 |
On Over 2.25 with exactly 2 goals, the 2.0 half pushes and the 2.5 half loses, so you lose half your stake. With 3 goals, both halves win.
Team totals (for example, "CF Montréal over 1.5 goals") work the same way but count one team's goals only.
Other markets you'll see
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Yes wins if each team scores at least once.
- Asian handicap: a goal head start or deficit, similar to a puck line. See our puck line, spreads and totals guide for how handicaps work.
- Live betting: odds update during the match and move fast, so it needs extra discipline.
Practical habits for soccer bettors
None of these beat the house edge, but they help you bet with more understanding:
- Read the settlement rules. Know whether a market is 90 minutes or includes extra time.
- Compare prices. Different books post different odds on the same match.
- Keep stakes small and fixed. A flat stake stops one result from wrecking your budget.
- Don't chase losses. A late equaliser that cost you a bet is not a reason to double the next one.
FAQ
Does the 1X2 market include extra time in MLS playoffs?
No. Standard 1X2 markets settle on 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Markets like "To Advance" or "To Qualify" include extra time and penalties; check the market name.
What's the difference between Draw No Bet and double chance?
With Draw No Bet, a draw refunds your stake. With double chance (1X or X2), a draw counts as a win, but the odds are usually lower.
What does Over 2.5 goals mean?
It wins if the match has three or more goals in total after 90 minutes. Two or fewer goals and it loses.
Can I bet on MLS from Ontario or Alberta on Stake?
No. Stake.com isn't available in Ontario, and Alberta residents should use the regulated Alberta options.
Conclusion
Soccer markets make sense once you build everything around the 90-minute result and the possibility of a draw. 1X2 includes the draw as its own outcome, Draw No Bet refunds you if it happens, and totals ignore the winner altogether. Learn how each one settles before you stake money on it. If you're in an eligible province and want to try these markets on Stake, you can sign up with code SHIMA through the Claim button on this page; the Stake sportsbook guide shows how the betting side is laid out.
Related Guides
- Ready to sign up? Start with the Stake.com sign-up code for Canada.
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- All Stake guides for Canada
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