Ever come across the phrase “winner of a tie” and wondered what it really means? You’re not alone. It shows up in sports, games, and betting markets, but it is not always obvious at first glance.
If you have spotted it on a bet slip or in a match summary and felt unsure, this guide will clear it up in plain terms.
Read on to find out what “winner of a tie” means, why it matters, and how it affects different types of bets, so you can follow results with confidence.
What Does “Winner Of A Tie” Mean In Sports Betting?
In sports betting, “winner of a tie” refers to who is ultimately declared the winner when the initial score is level, and a decisive outcome is required. You are betting on the team or player that progresses, not on the scoreline at the end of standard play. This market is common in tournaments and knockouts where a side must advance to the next round.
If a match ends level after normal time, the competition rules decide what happens next. Depending on the sport and event, this could involve extra time, a penalty shootout, a sudden‑death or golden‑point period, or in rarer cases a replay. In two‑legged ties, the aggregate score applies, and if still level, extra time and possibly penalties may follow (away‑goals rules now vary by competition).
A bet on the “winner of a tie” is settled on who advances or is officially named the winner after all applicable tie‑breakers have been completed. Settlement is based on the governing body’s official result. This is not the same as a “match result” or “90 minutes only” market, which settles at the end of regular time.
You may also see similar markets labelled “to qualify”, “to progress”, or “to lift the trophy” (for finals). While these are related, each market has its own settlement terms, so check the market description to understand exactly what outcomes are included.
This market appears in football cup matches, play‑offs, and two‑legged ties, as well as in team tennis competitions and other events that must produce a final result. The exact tie‑breaker used can differ by competition, so it helps to know the event rules in advance to avoid surprises.
Operator rules can vary on scenarios such as walkovers, disqualifications, or abandoned matches. If the format changes after you place a bet, settlement will follow the published house rules, and some bets may be void. Always read the specific market terms before placing a wager, and only bet what you can afford to lose.
How Do Bookmakers Settle 90-Minute Match Result Bets?
A 90‑minute match result bet is settled on the official score at the end of normal time, including any stoppage/injury time added by the referee.
Events occurring in extra time or during a penalty shootout do not count for this market. If the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time, the result is settled as a draw, even if a team goes on to win after extra time or on penalties.
Settlement is based on the result confirmed by the match officials at the end of regulation time. VAR reviews that are concluded within this period are included; anything reviewed or occurring after the final whistle is not.
Be aware that different markets cover different periods. “90 Minutes”, “Full Time Result (90 mins)” or similar labels apply only to regulation time. Markets such as “To Qualify” or “Lift the Trophy” include extra time and, where applicable, penalties.
If a match is abandoned or postponed, settlement will follow the operator’s published rules for that competition and market. These can vary, so check the specific terms before placing a bet.
Always read the market name and rules carefully so you understand exactly what is covered before you bet.
What Happens To Bets When A Tie Is Decided In Extra Time Or Penalties?
If the match continues beyond normal time, the method used to find a winner can affect how your bet is settled. In knockout fixtures, extra time and, if required, a penalty shoot-out are used when the scores are level after normal time (that is, 90 minutes plus any stoppage time).
If your bet is on the “winner of a tie”, “to qualify”, or similarly named markets that cover progression, settlement is based on the team that advances to the next round. This includes results achieved in extra time or via penalties, regardless of how the score stood after 90 minutes.
If your bet is on the standard 90-minute result, only the score at the end of normal time counts. What happens in extra time or during the shoot-out does not affect that market. For example, a “Draw” in the 90-minute market still wins even if one side later advances in extra time or on penalties.
This 90-minute rule also typically applies to markets such as Correct Score, Both Teams To Score, and most handicaps unless the market title clearly states otherwise. Always check the market name and the operator’s published rules before placing your bet, as settlement is made in line with those rules.
How Are League Table Ties Resolved When Teams Finish Level On Points?
Cup ties are one thing. Leagues take a different approach because they rank teams over an entire season rather than on a single day. As a result, competitions set out a clear, pre-agreed order of criteria to separate clubs that are level on points.
Most leagues use a sequence of tie-breakers. The first is usually goal difference, which is goals scored minus goals conceded across all league fixtures. If that remains level, the next step is often total goals scored. Some competitions may also consider the number of wins, or apply head-to-head records so that only matches between the tied teams are assessed.
Where head-to-head is used, organisers might form a mini-league including just the tied sides. In some formats, away goals within those head-to-head games have been used as a further separator, though many competitions have moved away from that. If positions are still not determined, additional methods can apply, such as disciplinary rankings (fewest bookings and dismissals), or ultimately a play-off match, typically at a neutral venue.
The precise order and the presence of any final measures, such as drawing of lots, can vary by competition and even by season. Some leagues only trigger extra procedures if the position decides a title, promotion, relegation, or qualification place. It is always worth checking the current competition rules or official announcements to understand how your league handles it.
As a simple example, if Team A and Team B both finish on 70 points, but Team A has a goal difference of +25 and Team B has +20, Team A would be placed higher. If both had +25, total goals scored could split them (for instance, 68 versus 65). If that was also equal and the league uses head-to-head, the results between the two teams would be compared; and if still level, the rules might require a further criterion or, in rare cases, a play-off to decide the final placing.
Match Settlement Examples For Common Bet Types
Match Result (90 Minutes) Example
Imagine you backed Team A to win in the 90-minute market and it is 1-1 at full time. In this market, full time means the scheduled 90 minutes plus any injury/stoppage time, but excludes extra time and penalties.
Because the score is level at the end of 90 minutes, the selection is settled as a draw. As a result, a bet on Team A to win does not land in this market.
Any goals or outcomes in extra time or during a penalty shootout do not affect settlement for the 90-minute market. Own goals and goals scored within the 90 minutes do count as normal.
Settlement is made in line with the stated market rules and the official result at the end of 90 minutes. If a match is abandoned or rescheduled, settlement will follow the applicable rules for that market, which may include voiding affected bets.
Cup Match Won On Penalties Example
Suppose you backed Team B in a cup tie in the “to qualify” or “winner of the tie” market. These markets are settled on the team that progresses to the next round, regardless of the method of qualification.
If the sides are level after extra time and it goes to penalties, and Team B wins the shootout, your bet is a winner. This is because “to qualify” markets include all official tie-breakers, such as extra time and penalties.
The score after 90 minutes is not relevant for this market. The team that advances according to the competition’s official rules determines the settlement.
Always check the market name and description before placing a bet to ensure you understand what is included in settlement, particularly whether extra time and penalties are counted.
How Are Accumulator Bets Affected By A Draw?
Accumulators, or accas, combine several selections into one wager, with the overall return calculated by multiplying the prices of each leg. All legs must settle as winners for the acca to be paid out, unless a leg is made void under the rules of the market or the operator. Settlement is usually based on the result at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time, unless the market explicitly includes extra time or penalties.
If you picked a team to win in the 90‑minute (match result/1X2) market and it finishes level at full time, that selection loses. Extra time and penalties do not apply to this market unless stated. In most cases, the entire acca then loses because one leg has failed, unless a specific concession or voiding rule applies to that leg under the operator’s terms.
If you included a draw as one of your 1X2 selections and the match ends level, that leg wins and the acca continues, provided the other legs also settle as winners. Markets such as Double Chance (e.g., Draw or Away) treat a draw differently, and certain handicap lines (e.g., Asian Handicap 0) may result in a push/void on that leg rather than a win or loss. Always check the market rules before placing your bet.
If a match is postponed or abandoned, many bookmakers void that leg and settle the remaining selections at adjusted odds, so the acca stands on the rest. Timeframes for rearranged fixtures and what constitutes a void can vary, and cash out may be unavailable while an outcome is pending. The exact approach depends on the operator’s house rules, so review them carefully before you place your acca.
What Do “Push” And “Void” Mean On My Payout?
Two settlement terms appear quite often on bet history and payout breakdowns: “push” and “void.” They describe how your stake is treated when a market lands exactly on the line, or when an event or selection does not take place as expected.
A push is when the outcome lands exactly on the bookmaker’s line. For example, a totals market of 2.0 that finishes with exactly two goals, or a zero handicap that ends level, results in your stake being returned.
In multiples, a pushed leg is typically settled at odds of 1.00 so the rest of the bet continues. If a free bet was used, the stake itself is not returned. Promotional terms can differ, so always check the specific market and offer rules.
A void bet is one that is cancelled, commonly due to postponements, abandonment before the required time, a non‑runner, or a participant not starting. In most cases your cash stake is refunded; in an acca the voided leg is removed (treated as 1.00) and the remaining selections stand.
Bet builders or related selections may be recalculated or, in some scenarios, voided in full depending on dependency between legs. Settlement rules vary by operator and market, so the final treatment can differ.
These outcomes are neither wins nor losses. They are applied to keep settlements fair when results fall on the line or events do not proceed as planned. Timeframes for refunds can vary; check your account and the bookmaker’s rules if anything is unclear.
How To Check A Bookmaker’s Rules On Ties Before You Stake
Bookmakers publish settlement rules in their Help, Rules, or FAQs sections, and many events or markets include a link to specific terms on the page. Look for notes such as “90 minutes only”, “dead-heat rules”, “push/refund”, or “draw no bet”, as these define how ties are handled. Apps usually mirror the same information.
Check how the operator treats extra time and penalties in football, ties in American sports, dead-heats in golf, or retirements and walkovers in tennis. Also review how postponed, abandoned, or rescheduled fixtures are settled, including any time limits before a bet is voided or stands.
If anything is unclear, contact customer support via live chat or email and ask for confirmation in writing. Keep screenshots of market rules; terms can vary by bookmaker and market and may change.
Be aware that cash out, bet builders, and multiples can settle differently, and promotions have separate terms such as eligibility, time limits, and wagering. Nothing here guarantees an outcome; only bet what you can afford and use safer gambling tools if needed.
A quick check before you stake keeps your choices aligned with how the bet will settle and helps avoid disputes later.
Common Misunderstandings About The “Winner Of A Tie”
A frequent mistake is thinking “winner of a tie” means betting on a draw. It does not. It refers to the team or player who ultimately progresses or lifts the trophy after any tie-breakers, replays, or aggregate scoring. Terminology can differ between operators, so always read the market description in full before placing a bet.
Another is assuming extra time and penalties count in every market. They only apply where the market clearly states that all tie-break methods are included, such as “to qualify” or “winner of the tie.” If a market does not explicitly include extra time or penalties, settlement will normally be based on regulation time only. Check the published settlement rules each time.
It is also easy to mix up “match result” with “winner of a tie.” The first settles at the end of regulation time (unless otherwise stated), while the second waits for the official winner, however it is decided, including extra time, penalties, or other approved methods. In two-legged ties, settlement may follow the aggregate winner if the rules specify this.
Finally, do not assume every sport or competition uses the same tie-breakers or settlement rules. Some use extra time or overtime, others use super overs, golden points, or shootouts, and some allow replays. Once you know which markets include tie-breakers and which stop at full time, “winner of a tie” becomes straightforward and you can follow results with clarity.
If you are unsure, review the operator’s rules for the specific event and market before you bet. Only stake what you can afford to lose, and seek support if betting stops being enjoyable.
**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.