What Does PK Mean in Soccer Betting: Key Insights

Let’s break down what does PK mean in soccer betting and its odds using a hypothetical match between Germany and France, and I’ll use a chart to make it clearer. By the way, if you struggle with making sense out of sports betting odds, I highly recommend you check out a piece we wrote earlier on it. It’s a pretty in-depth piece that only takes around 5 minutes to read.

Anyway, when two teams are so evenly matched, youll see “PK” where the point spread generally is. This is one of those cases where oddsmakers don’t see much difference in overall strength between the two teams. Theres a couple of key things to consider:

1. Even if the point spread is dead even, it doesn’t mean the teams are equally matched. You can usually tell who the oddsmakers think has the edge by checking the live odds.
2. Since Germany and France are two teams with roughly even chances, you’ll typically see odds around -110 for both. But those odds can shift a bit sometimes.

These shifts are usually explained by last-minute injuries, questionable lineup changes and other factors.

Heres How It Works

What happens if youre Betting on Arsenal to Win (Odds: -100)

What It Means: The minus sign (-) indicates Arsenal is the favorite. You need to bet $100 to win $100.
Your Bet: You bet $50 on Arsenal to win.

Calculating the Payout:

• Formula: Bet Amount / (Odds/100)
• Calculation: $50 / (100/100) = $50 / 1 = $50 (profit)
• Total Return: $50 (your bet) + $50 (profit) = $100

Moneyline Example: Barcelona vs. Arsenal UCL Match

Let’s say the odds for this Champions League match are:

• Arsenal: -100
• Barcelona: +100

The odds tell you how much you need to bet to win a certain amount if you’re betting on the favorite, or how much you can win if you’re betting on the underdog.

By the way, we’re gonna keep using this match up as our baseline example throughout the piece so you can compare each bet and get a clear picture of how Soccer Betting Lines work and how they can be a part of your soccer betting strategy.

Reading The PK Odds Between Two Strong Contenders

Lets take a look at the Pick’em odds for a match between Germany and France

Yup, there are! if you’re wondering what does PK mean in soccer betting, you might know them as Pick’em, Level Ball or Draw No Bet are used interchangeably but all function the same as a PK bet. Allow me to elaborate:

• Pick’em: This is just a different way of writing “PK” and means the same thing.
• Level Ball: In some places, people refer to it as a “level ball” bet because no team has a handicap.
• Draw No Bet (DNB): This is very similar to a PK bet. If the game ends in a draw, you get your money back, just like a PK bet.

How To Find Pick Em Bets?

Youre basically looking for soccer bets that won’t have a point spread and will offer odds for each team to win outright. Here’s what I recommend:

1. First, select a reliable online sportsbook or betting platform where you can place your bets.
2. Navigate to the Soccer Betting Section:

Go to the section for soccer or football betting. This is usually listed in the main menu of the sportsbook.

3. Look for Pick’em (PK) Odds:

Look at the betting options. Pick’em bets are usually labeled as “PK,” “Pick,” or “Draw No Bet (DNB).”

4. Alternative – Look for Zero Spreads Bets:

If possible, try searching for “zero spread” options as these are basically what PK soccer bets are.

Once you’re ready to make your first PK bet in soccer betting, just follow this step-by-step mini guide. This approach works for UCL matches or even if you’re planning on betting on the MLS this year.

Step 1 – Choose a Reliable Sportsbook

First, make sure you’re using a reputable online sportsbook. Popular ones usually have good, long-standing reviews but always make sure the site is trustworthy.

Create an Account and Log In. If you don’t already have an account, sign up. It’s usually a quick process. Once you’re signed up, log in to your account.

Step 2 – Deposit Funds

Before you can place a bet, you’ll need to deposit some money into your account. Most sportsbooks accept various payment methods like credit cards, PayPal, or bank transfers. Remember to manage your bankroll smart and responsibly, we have a structured, suggested way of doing so in our Soccer Betting Strategies piece (feel free to skip to that part when you’re done here)

Step 3 – Navigate to the Soccer Betting Section

Once you’re logged in and have funds in your account, head to the soccer or football section. This is typically listed in the main menu.

Step 4 – Look for the PK (Pick’em) Option

Click on different matches to see the different betting options. If your search bar or filters allow you to do so, search for zero spread options. Otherwise Look for bets labeled “PK,” “Pick,” or sometimes “Draw No Bet (DNB).” These are the zero spread bets where you’re just picking the winner.

I Found A PK Bet Type of Soccer Match – What Now?

Say you noticed some very close odds between a Manchester City and Liverpool Premier League match:

Placing the Bet

Decide which team you want to bet on. If you think Manchester City will win, click on Manchester City PK with odds of -115. If you think Liverpool will win, click on Liverpool PK with odds of -105.

1. Enter Your Bet Amount: After selecting your bet, enter the amount you want to wager. Let’s say you decide to bet $115 on Manchester City.
2. Confirm Your Bet: Review your bet slip to ensure everything is correct. Confirm your bet once you’re satisfied.
3. Check for Confirmation: After placing your bet, you should receive a confirmation from the sportsbook.

Let’s make a quick comparison between PK bets and other popular types of bets to see if they’re a good match for you. We’ll take a look at key factors such as risk, payouts and complexity.

PK Bets vs. Moneyline Bets

• Risk: PK bets are safer because you get your money back if it’s a draw. Moneyline bets are riskier since a draw means a loss unless you specifically bet on the draw.
• Payouts: Moneyline bets generally offer better payouts due to the higher risk.

PK Bets vs. Spread Bets

• Risk: PK bets involve less risk since there’s no spread to cover. Spread bets require a team to win by a certain margin (or not lose by a certain margin for the underdog).
• Complexity: Spread bets are more complex as you need to understand and predict margins of victory or defeat. You’re not only betting on a team to win, but you’re also predicting the exact difference between them.

PK Bets vs. Over/Under Bets

• Objective: PK bets focus on picking the winner, while over/under bets focus on the total number of goals scored in the match.
• Risk: Both have a medium level of risk, but the nature of the risk is different. Over/under bets depend on predicting the flow of the game and the total number of goals. There’s an extra layer of specificity to the outcome you’re predicting.

Practical Example: Manchester City vs. Liverpool

TL: DR On PK Bets and Other Soccer Bets

• PK Bets: Lower risk, simpler, good for evenly matched teams.
• Moneyline Bets: Higher risk, higher potential payouts, suitable for clear favorites or underdogs.
• Spread Bets: Requires understanding of margins, useful when there’s a clear discrepancy in team strength and you’re confident in predicting it.
• Over/Under Bets: Focus on total goals, good for predicting game flow rather than winners.

Pros And Cons of Draw No Bet in Soccer Betting (Pick’em bets)

PK bets are great because they’re simple and reduce risk, especially for closely matched teams. However, they may offer lower payouts and might not be as exciting in terms of payouts.

Each bet offers different levels of risks and payouts to better suit your level of risk-aversion and style, so there’s always something for every type of gambler.

Research Team Form

Check recent performance, injuries, and overall team form. Being the home team is certainly an advantage so for visiting teams, arriving in better form than the local side can compensate things and even draw them closer to a win.

Check for Key Player Availability

Injuries or suspensions of key players can significantly impact a team’s performance. Always check the latest team news before placing your bet. If a team has their main scorers and playmakers available and in good shape, you need to go a bit deeper: check their goal keeper and back line.
Are the regular starters there? Has the coach shuffled the lineup and the team is playing an unorthodox number of defenders? All of these factors could sway the odds in favor of one team.

Consider Head-to-Head Records

Look at the history between the two teams. Some teams tend to perform better against specific opponents. What about the location, and context of the match? Friendly matches and tournament knock-out stage games are played with different levels of intensity.

Evaluate Motivation

Consider what’s at stake for each team. Teams fighting for relegation survival or competing for titles often show more determination.
Also, consider any trash-talking that has been going on before the match. Think of Alexander Arnold in Liverpool vs Manchester City, or even Van Gaal vs Argentina during the world cup. Mediterranean, South American and Middle East soccer teams are particularly prone to show pregame trash talk that can make teams add a level of intensity nobody expects.

Home vs. Away Performance

Teams often play better at home due to familiar surroundings and support from fans. However, some teams are strong away performers too. Take for instance the role that the Argentinian fans played in the 2022 FIFA’s World Cup, as well as the Iceland fans for their national team during 2016’s Euro.

Defensive & Attacking Performance

You know, when you’re betting on soccer, it’s actually more helpful to look at how many goals a team scores and concedes rather than just their points. A team’s offense (goals scored) and defense (goals conceded) are both key to predicting their future results. Defense is just as crucial as attack. Interestingly, it often makes more sense to bet on teams that are strong defensively and have lower-scoring games compared to teams that score a lot but also concede a lot. Defensive teams can be more reliable for betting.

What Does PK Mean in Soccer Betting?

PK in soccer betting stands for Pick’em, meaning there is no point spread and you’re betting on which team will win the match outright.

How Does a PK Bet Differ from a Moneyline Bet?

A PK bet refunds your stake if the match ends in a draw, whereas a moneyline bet results in a loss if the match ends in a draw unless you’ve specifically bet on the draw.

What Happens if a Match Ends in a Draw with a PK Bet?

If a match ends in a draw with a PK bet, your stake is refunded, resulting in no win or loss.

Is PK Betting More Suitable for Certain Types of Matches?

PK betting is more suitable for closely matched games where predicting a winner is difficult and a draw is a likely outcome.

How Do You Win a PK Bet?

You win a PK bet if the team you bet on wins the match outright. If the match ends in a draw, you get your stake back.

Does PK Stand for Penalty Kick?

No, in the context of betting, PK stands for Pick’em, not penalty kick.

What Are Other Names for Pick’em Soccer Bets?

Other names for Pick’em soccer bets include “Draw No Bet (DNB)” and “Level Ball.”