What Is a Scorecast Bet? Meaning, Payouts and Examples

What is a scorecast bet? It is a wager that combines two predictions in one bet: the first goalscorer and the correct final score of a match. For example, you back a striker to score first and his team to win 2-1. If the striker scores first and the match ends 2-1, the bet wins. If either part is wrong, the whole bet loses. In other words, a scorecast is a first-goalscorer bet and a correct-score bet rolled into one. This guide explains how a scorecast works, how to calculate the payout, and when it suits a bettor.

Last updated: November 2026

Quick Answer

• A scorecast combines the first goalscorer and the correct score in one bet.
• Both parts must win. One wrong part loses the whole bet.
• The simple product of the two odds gives the headline price: 5.00 × 8.00 = 40.00.
• If the named player does not play, the bet usually becomes a correct-score single.
• Own goals do not count toward the goalscorer part, but they do count toward the score.

What Is a Scorecast Bet and How Does It Work?

A scorecast is a combination bet, not two separate bets. Firstly, you pick one player to score the first goal. Secondly, you pick the exact final score. Thirdly, you place one stake on the combined bet. As a result, the bookmaker settles the two predictions together: both must be right for the bet to pay out.

For example, a striker to score first and his team to win 2-1 is a scorecast. Similarly, a midfielder to score first and the match to end 1-1 is a scorecast. However, a scorecast is not a double. A double combines two separate events, but the goalscorer and the score in the same match depend on each other: a striker scoring first makes his team more likely to win. In other words, bookmakers offer the scorecast because you cannot place the two parts as a double. Therefore, the scorecast is the only way to combine these two predictions.

The score is the result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time does not count. Above all, the scorecast rewards a bettor who has a clear view of both the opening goal and the final score.

What Is a Scorecast Bet Payout?

The payout of a scorecast starts with the two single odds. The simple product of the first-goalscorer odds and the correct-score odds gives the headline price. For example, a striker at 5.00 to score first and a correct score of 2-1 at 8.00 give 5.00 × 8.00 = 40.00. A ₦100 stake at 40.00 returns ₦4,000, which is a profit of ₦3,900. Therefore, the two numbers to remember are the return (what comes back in total) and the profit (what you gain above the stake).

Leg	Selection	Odds
1	Striker to score first	5.00
2	Correct score 2-1	8.00
Combined	Scorecast	40.00

On the other hand, the bookmaker’s advertised scorecast price is often lower than the simple product. The two parts depend on each other: a striker scoring first makes the predicted score more likely, so the bookmaker trims the price. One pricing guide puts the reduction at about 30% for scorecasts. In other words, the 40.00 in the example is the simple multiplication, while the price on the screen is often lower. At combined odds of 40.00, the implied probability is 1 ÷ 40.00 = 2.5%. Above all, the scorecast pays well precisely because two hard predictions must both come true.

What Is a Scorecast Bet Compared With Two Singles?

A scorecast is one stake on two predictions, while two singles are two stakes. For example, ₦100 on the striker to score first at 5.00 and ₦100 on the correct score of 2-1 at 8.00 cost ₦200 in total. If both win, the singles return ₦500 + ₦800 = ₦1,300, a profit of ₦1,100. As a result, the two singles pay less than the scorecast, which returns ₦4,000 on a ₦100 stake. However, the singles pay something when only one part wins, while the scorecast pays nothing at all in that case.

	Two singles	Scorecast
Stakes	₦100 + ₦100	₦100
Both parts win	₦1,300	₦4,000
One part wins	Pays that part	₦0

In short, the scorecast turns a small stake into a far larger return, while the singles spread the risk. Therefore, a scorecast suits a bettor with a strong view on both parts, and the singles suit a bettor who wants a return from either part. Similarly, the singles cost twice the stake for a smaller maximum return.

What Is a Scorecast Bet Compared With a Wincast?

A wincast is the scorecast’s closest cousin. The two bets share the goalscorer half, but the second half differs: a scorecast demands the exact final score, while a wincast demands only the match result. For example, the same striker to score first and his team to win is a wincast, whatever the final score. As a result, the wincast is easier to win and pays less: the same legs at 5.00 × 1.60 give 8.00, against the scorecast’s 40.00.

In short, the scorecast pays five times the wincast for the same player and team, because it also demands the exact scoreline. Therefore, a bettor who is sure of the score may prefer the scorecast, while a bettor who is only sure of the winner may prefer the wincast. Similarly, the wincast is the simpler of the two combination bets.

What Happens When a Scorecast Bet Is Void?

A scorecast is not void just because one part looks lost. Instead, the rules follow the goalscorer half. If the named player does not play at all, most bookmakers turn the bet into a correct score single at the correct-score odds. For example, a scorecast on a striker who is not in the squad becomes a single on the predicted score. For more on void bets in general, see our void bet guide.

However, if the player comes on as a substitute before the first goal but does not score it, the bet loses. In that case, the player had a chance and did not take it. Similarly, if the player scores first but the final score is wrong, the bet loses. Therefore, only the player not playing can void a scorecast, not a wrong prediction.

Do Own Goals Count in a Scorecast?

Bookmakers treat own goals differently in the two halves of a scorecast. The own goal does not count toward the first-goalscorer part: the market rolls on to the next goal scored into the opposition net. However, the own goal DOES count toward the final score. For example, if the only goal of the match is an own goal and the predicted score was 1-0, the score half is right but the goalscorer half has no winner, so the bet loses. In that case, the two halves follow different rules for the same goal. Therefore, a bettor should remember that an own goal helps the score and hurts the goalscorer.

When to Use a Scorecast Bet

Scorecasts suit several kinds of bettor. Firstly, they suit bettors with a strong view on both the opening goal and the final score. Secondly, they suit small-stake bettors chasing a very large return: ₦100 can return ₦4,000 at 40.00. Thirdly, they suit bettors who enjoy high-risk markets and accept long losing runs.

However, scorecasts do not suit every goal. If the aim is a steady return, a single bet is the better tool, because only one prediction must be right. In that case, the scorecast’s two-part demand works against the bettor. As a result, bettors should use scorecasts only with money they can afford to lose, in small stakes.

What Is a Scorecast Bet: How to Place It

Placing a scorecast takes five steps. Firstly, choose one player to score first. Secondly, choose the exact final score. Thirdly, open the scorecast market on the betting slip — it is a special market, not a double. Fourthly, enter the stake. Fifthly, check the combined odds and the potential return, then confirm the bet.

For example, a slip showing a first goalscorer and a correct score as two separate bets is not a scorecast. Therefore, always read the slip before pressing confirm: the player, the score and the potential return should all match what you planned. The betting slip must show one scorecast bet, not two singles.

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 scorecast bet in football?

It is the same wager applied to football markets: one player to score first and the exact final score, combined into one bet. Both parts must be right for the bet to pay out.

How much can I win from a scorecast bet?

Multiply the stake by the combined odds to get the maximum return. For example, ₦100 at 40.00 returns ₦4,000, subject to the bookmaker’s payout limit.

What happens if my player does not play?

Most bookmakers turn the bet into a correct-score single at the correct-score odds. The bookmaker removes the goalscorer half and the score half stands alone.

What happens if the first goal is an own goal?

The own goal does not count toward the goalscorer half, so the bet rolls to the next valid goal. The own goal still counts toward the final score.

Is a scorecast the same as a double?

No. A double combines two separate events. A scorecast combines two linked predictions from the same match, which you cannot place as a double.

Can I cash out a scorecast bet?

Often, yes. Most bookmakers offer cash out on scorecasts while the match is running, at a value that moves with the state of play. The offer can be less than the stake if either part is going wrong.

The Bottom Line

In short, what is a scorecast bet? It is one wager on two predictions — the first goalscorer and the exact final score — with one stake and one result: both right and the bet pays at long odds, or either wrong and it loses. For instance, a striker at 5.00 and a 2-1 score at 8.00 give combined odds of 40.00 on a ₦100 stake. Combination bets reward a clear view of the whole match, so use small stakes.

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.