Among all the available football betting markets today, penalty shootout betting has become increasingly popular. This market holds special appeal because it's often the final deciding moment of a match, making it extremely thrilling. In this guide, win betting tips will walk you through how to analyze and bet effectively on penalty shootouts—so you can boost your chances of landing big wins.
What Is a Penalty Bet?
Penalty betting—also known as 11-meter betting—is a market offered when a match ends in a draw and goes to a penalty shootout. Each team takes turns shooting from the penalty spot, usually in an initial set of 5 kicks per side. If no winner is determined after the first 5 kicks each, the shootout proceeds to sudden death until a winner emerges.
The most common penalty bets include:
Handicap (spread) betting on the shootout outcome
Over/Under betting on the total number of penalty kicks taken
These bets allow you to predict which team will win the shootout and how many total penalties will be taken.
However, penalty betting is only available under two specific conditions:
The match requires a winner to be decided via penalties.
The match is tied after 90 minutes and two extra time periods.
When these conditions are met, bookmaker may offer penalty-specific handicap and Over/Under markets for bettors to choose from.
When Are Penalty Bets Offered?
Penalty bets typically become available while the match is still ongoing, especially during extra time. Since they’re tied to the final and most suspenseful part of the game, these bets add high drama and excitement with every kick.
See more: messi own goal
How to Place Penalty Bets
In penalty betting, you’ll usually find two main types of markets:
Handicap bets (often level-ball or very slight spreads)
Over/Under bets, typically based on a line like 7 kicks (out of a possible 10 total from both teams)
As a bettor, your job is to pick the winning team and whether the number of penalties will go over or under the bookmaker’s line. If one team leads by two after fewer than 10 penalties, the shootout ends early, and the result is settled accordingly.
Correct predictions will result in a payout, based on the final penalty shootout score.
Note: Although penalty shootouts are theoretically simple, they’re highly unpredictable—often relying more on luck than skill, as both teams are usually well-matched at this stage. Many bettors try their luck here, but consistent wins require knowledge and strategy.
Expert Tips for Betting on Penalty Shootouts
While penalty betting is straightforward in concept, winning consistently requires experience and preparation. Here are the best tips to help improve your success rate:
1. Analyze the Strength of Both Teams
Start by thoroughly researching the teams' penalty-taking and penalty-saving capabilities. Coaches often select their most reliable and composed players to take penalty kicks, and goalkeepers are chosen based on their reflexes and save records from the spot.
Try to identify:
The top 5 likely penalty takers from each team
Their penalty success rate and psychological resilience
The goalkeeper’s historical penalty save percentage
In major international tournaments, some nations like Portugal, Italy, and Germany are historically strong in penalty shootouts. Seasoned bettors use this knowledge as a foundation for their wagers.
2. Choose the Right Penalty Bet Type
There are various penalty-related bet types, and each has different rules and payout structures. Always pick a market that matches your betting style and knowledge. For example:
If you have confidence in a team’s penalty takers, bet on them to win.
If you expect a long shootout, bet the Over.
But always understand the rules of each bet before placing any wager—this helps you avoid mistakes and unnecessary losses.
3. Evaluate the Goalkeeper's Ability
The goalkeeper plays a decisive role in the shootout. In modern football, most keepers are highly skilled, but some are exceptional at saving penalties due to superior reflexes and anticipation.
Research goalkeeper stats such as:
Penalty save rate
Mental composure under pressure
Previous shootout performances
A strong goalkeeper can turn the tide of the shootout, so betting on their team might give you an edge.
4. Pay Attention to the Penalty Takers
Not every player can handle the pressure of a shootout. Some are known to choke under stress and miss the target. Pay attention to:
The mental toughness of expected takers
Whether they’ve previously missed high-stakes penalties
Their overall conversion rate
This information helps you assess whether a team is likely to perform well under pressure—or fall apart.
Summary
wintips has just provided you with an overview of the penalty betting market and shared valuable tips on how to approach it wisely. While it’s a high-risk, high-reward market, understanding the dynamics of each team, their players, and goalkeepers can significantly increase your edge.