You are basically betting on the player who will score the opening goal in a particular match. Besides betting on the first player to score, this market also allows you to select the “No Goalscorer” bet. The “No Goalscorer” option is favorable when you don’t expect any player to score.

First goal scorer betting is one of the most popular goal scorer market, since the possible winnings from a correct prediction are fairly high, and the likelihood of a favorite player scoring the first goal of a match is usually high. However, you need to make sure that your selection is on the starting line-up, or if you are fortunate, comes on before any goal is scored. If your selection does not play, or comes on as a substitute after someone else has already scored, then all bets placed on that player are void. Depending on the rules provided by your bookie, the stakes for that market can be refunded for all void bets.

Suggested betting sites

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	£30 Matched Free Bet If Your First Acca Loses + 50 Free Spins New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.o	£30	Bet now

In the event that the first goal scored is an own goal, then the winning bet is determined by the next goal of the match. As long as own goals are recognized officially on the day of the match, any subsequent decisions do not impact the settlement.

Some online bookmakers offer money back specials and promotions for this market. An example is the insurebet first goalscorer, which requires bookies to refund the stakes for bettors whose selections do not score the first goal, but score later in the match.

Either way, first goal scorer bets provide a unique market where the bookmaker pays 1/3 of the odds for selections that score the second, third, fourth or fifth goals. The number of goals that qualify your selection to be a winner depends on the bookie, though 5 goals is the limit for most. If your selection scores first, you receive the full winnings, but if your selection scores after the bookies limits, or fails to score at all, you lose the bet. In addition, there are no extra winnings for selections that score twice.