What Is a First Goalscorer Bet? Meaning, Rules and Payouts

What is a first goalscorer bet? It is a wager on one named player to score the first goal of a match. For example, you back a striker to open the scoring in a league match. If that player scores the first valid goal, the bet wins. If another player scores first, or if no player scores at all, the bet loses. In other words, a first goalscorer bet is a race between one chosen player and every other player on the pitch. This guide explains how the market works, how to calculate the payout, and what happens when the named player does not play.

Last updated: November 2026

Quick Answer

• A first goalscorer bet backs one named player to score the opening goal.
• Only the first valid goal counts. Own goals do not count.
• If the player does not play, or comes on after the first goal, the bet is void.
• On a 0-0 draw, “No goalscorer” wins and standard picks lose.
• Odds are longer than anytime goalscorer because only one player can score first.

What Is a First Goalscorer Bet and How Does It Work?

A first goalscorer bet is a player market, not a team market. Firstly, you pick one player from either team. Secondly, you add the selection to the betting slip. Thirdly, you place one stake on that player to score first. As a result, the bookmaker settles the bet on the first valid goal of the match, in normal time only. Extra time and penalty shootouts do not count.

For example, a striker is usually the favourite to score first, because strikers take the most shots. Similarly, an attacking midfielder or a winger can be a good pick when a team creates chances through the middle or from wide areas. However, a defender is a long shot: defenders rarely score, so the odds are long. In other words, the odds reflect how likely each player is to open the scoring.

The bookmaker settles the market on the first valid goal. Therefore, a goal ruled out by VAR does not count, and the market stays open until a goal stands. Above all, the first goalscorer bet rewards a bettor who has a clear view of who will strike first.

What Is a First Goalscorer Bet Payout?

You work out the payout of a first goalscorer bet by multiplying the stake by the player’s decimal odds. The profit is the return minus the stake. For example, a striker at 6.00 with a ₦500 stake returns ₦3,000, which is a profit of ₦2,500. Therefore, the two numbers to remember are the return (what comes back in total) and the profit (what you gain above the stake).

Player type	Typical odds	Implied probability
Main striker	4.00	25.0%
Second striker	6.00	16.7%
Attacking midfielder	9.00	11.1%
Centre-back	15.00	6.7%

The odds in the table are typical ranges, not fixed prices. On the other hand, the odds also move with team news: a striker facing a weak defence is shorter than the same striker facing a strong defence. In other words, about one in six bets at 6.00 would win, because the implied probability is 1 ÷ 6.00 = 16.7%. Above all, the longer odds are the reward for picking the one player out of twenty-two who scores first.

What Is a First Goalscorer Bet Compared With Anytime Goalscorer?

An anytime goalscorer bet pays if the named player scores at any point in the 90 minutes. For example, the same striker at 6.00 to score first might be 2.50 to score anytime. A ₦500 stake at 2.50 returns ₦1,250, a profit of ₦750. As a result, the anytime bet pays less because it is far easier to win.

Market	Must score	Odds (same striker)	₦500 returns
First goalscorer	First goal	6.00	₦3,000
Anytime goalscorer	Any goal in 90 minutes	2.50	₦1,250

In short, the first goalscorer bet suits a bettor with a strong view on the opening goal, while the anytime bet suits a bettor who only wants the player to score at some point. Therefore, a bettor who backs a striker to score first accepts longer odds for a bigger payout. Similarly, the anytime bet is the safer way to back the same player.

The two markets also treat substitutes differently. If a player comes on after the first goal, a first goalscorer bet is void, but an anytime bet stays live for the rest of the match. In that case, the anytime bet gives the substitute a chance to score, while the first goalscorer bet is already over.

What Is a First Goalscorer Bet Void Rule?

A first goalscorer bet is void when the named player takes no part in the match. Firstly, if the player is not in the matchday squad, the bookmaker refunds the stake. Secondly, if the player is an unused substitute, the bookmaker refunds the stake. Thirdly, if the player comes on after the first valid goal has been scored, the bet is void and the bookmaker refunds the stake. For more on how void bets work in general, see our void bet guide.

However, the bet is NOT void if the player takes part and fails to score. If the player starts but comes off without scoring, the bet loses. In that case, the player had a chance and did not take it, so there is no refund. Similarly, if the player plays the full match and another player scores first, the bet loses.

Dead heats are rare in this market, because only one player can score the opening goal. In other words, two players cannot both be the first goalscorer. For the markets where a dead heat can happen, see our dead heat guide.

What Happens on a 0-0 Draw?

If a match ends 0-0, there is no first goalscorer. At most bookmakers, “No goalscorer” wins and standard first-goalscorer bets lose. In other words, a goalless draw is a losing result for every named player, not a refund. However, a few bookmakers void the bet and refund the stake on a 0-0. As a result, a bettor should check the bookmaker’s rules before placing the bet, because this is one of the rules that varies.

Do Own Goals Count?

Own goals do not count for the first goalscorer market. If the first goal of the match is an own goal, the market rolls on to the next goal scored by a player into the opposition net. For example, if a defender puts the ball into his own net in the tenth minute and a striker scores in the thirtieth minute, the striker is the first goalscorer. In that case, the bookmaker ignores the own goal completely. Therefore, the player who scored the own goal can never win a first goalscorer bet with that goal.

When to Use a First Goalscorer Bet

First goalscorer bets suit several kinds of bettor. Firstly, they suit bettors with a strong view on a striker in form. Secondly, they suit small-stake bettors chasing a large return: ₦500 can return ₦3,000 at 6.00. Thirdly, they suit bettors who study team news, because a striker facing a weak defence is a better pick than the same striker facing a strong one.

However, first goalscorer bets do not suit every goal. If the aim is a steady return, a single bet on a team to win is the better tool, because only the result must go the bettor’s way. In that case, the first goalscorer bet’s all-or-nothing nature works against the bettor. As a result, bettors should use first goalscorer bets only with money they can afford to lose, in small stakes.

What Is a First Goalscorer Bet: How to Place It

Placing a first goalscorer bet takes five steps. Firstly, choose one player from either team. Secondly, check the team news to confirm the player should start. Thirdly, add the selection to the betting slip. Fourthly, enter the stake. Fifthly, check the odds and the potential return, then confirm the bet.

For example, a slip showing a player to score first is a first goalscorer bet, not an anytime goalscorer bet. Therefore, always read the slip before pressing confirm: the player, the market and the potential return should all match what you planned.

Meanwhile, betting in Nigeria is for adults only — 18+ only. Regulation is state-led: the Supreme Court nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 on 22 November 2024, and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission framework applies only in the Federal Capital Territory. As a result, a bettor should check that a bookmaker holds a licence in the bettor’s own state. In addition, licensed bookmakers ask for identity checks, usually a Bank Verification Number or National Identity Number, before paying out winnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a first goalscorer bet in football?

It is the same wager applied to football markets: one named player to score the first valid goal of the match. All other players must fail to score first for the bet to pay out.

How much can I win from a first goalscorer bet?

Multiply the stake by the player’s odds to get the maximum return. For example, ₦500 at 6.00 returns ₦3,000, subject to the bookmaker’s payout limit.

What happens if my player does not start?

The bookmaker usually voids the bet and refunds the stake, unless the player comes on before the first goal, in which case the bet stands.

What happens if the match ends 0-0?

At most bookmakers, “No goalscorer” wins and standard picks lose. A few bookmakers void the bet and refund the stake instead.

Do own goals count in first goalscorer betting?

No. Bookmakers ignore own goals, and the market rolls on to the next goal scored into the opposition net.

Can I cash out a first goalscorer bet?

Often, yes. Most bookmakers offer cash out on first goalscorer bets while the match is running, at a value that moves with the state of play. The offer can be less than the stake if the player is not threatening.

The Bottom Line

In short, what is a first goalscorer bet? It is one wager on one named player to score the first valid goal, with one stake and one result: the chosen player scores first and the bet pays, or anyone else scores first and it loses. For instance, a striker at 6.00 returns ₦3,000 on a ₦500 stake. Goalscorer markets reward a clear view of who will strike first, so check the team news before placing the bet.

Bet Responsibly: Betting is entertainment, not a way to make money. Only bet what you can afford to lose, and never chase losses. If betting stops being fun, take a break. For help and advice, see our Responsible Gambling page. 18+ only.