Football Pools is one of the oldest and popular forms of sports betting known in Nigeria, with hundreds of thousands of people patronizing weekly. It involves predicting the outcomes of football matches with special focus on draws to win interesting money prizes.
This article focuses on the common terminologies used across the football pools betting communities in Nigeria and beyond.
1. Core Terms
Pool fixtures / Coupon Fixtures – The weekly list of 49 football matches where stakers predict or select which will end in a draw.
Minimum Stake – The lowest allowed amount one can stake on a single bet ticket.
Winning/ Payout – The prize money calculated based on your stake, the number of correct draws, and your betting method.
Perming/Permutation – Selecting a group of matches (e.g., 4 or 5) and predicting that any subset (like 3) will draw. Winnings depend on correct combinations.
Nap – A straight bet where you choose a fixed number of matches (often 3) to end in draws; all must be correct to win.
Payment Odds - These are set figures used to determine and pay winners. The higher the number of draws in the week’s fixtures, the lesser the odds.
Fixed Odds – A betting system where the payout is predetermined based on the stake, the odds and the number of draws that week, regardless of the number of winners.
High Odds – A betting option where bettors enjoy a payout higher than the regulated authorized odds by paying a certain percentage above their actual stake amount.
Normal Odds - A betting option where bettors are limited to fixed odds by regulated authority generally used for payment within its jurisdiction.
Treble Chance – A betting strategy where three possible outcomes (draw, home win, away win) are covered, increasing chances of winning but reducing payout per unit.
Bonanza / Jackpot – Predicting the exact number of draws for the week (e.g., 10). You win only if your selections and the total draw count match.
2. Match & Result Terms
General Draws – Matches that end in a draw without specifying the scoreline.
Score Draws – Matches that end in a draw with goals scored, e.g., 1–1, 2–2.
No Score Draws – Matches that end in a draw without any goals scored, e.g., 0–0.
Full Time (FT) - Refers to the result at the end of the regular 90 minutes of a football match. In pool betting, FT usually determines the official outcome for draws or wins.
Half Time (HT) - Refers to the result at the midpoint of the match (after 45 minutes). Some forecasting or betting strategies consider HT draws separately from FT outcomes.
Game Proof – Is logical analysis based on past records or sequence pointing direction to match results that will likely end in draw for pool betting purposes.
Extra Time (ET) - Additional periods played when a match is tied and a winner must be determined (usually in knockout competitions). In pool betting, ET does not count.
Panel Draws – Matches not played (e.g., postponed). A “pool panel” decides the outcome as a draw for betting purposes.
Panel Matches – Matches not played (e.g., postponed). A “pool panel” decides the outcome for betting purposes.
Abandon Matches – Games that start but are not completed (due to weather, violence, etc.). They may be decided by the panel or declared void.
Void Matches – Matches completely removed from the coupon result; they do not count toward winnings or losses.
Early Kick-Off (EKO) Matches – Games that begin before the main set of Saturday fixtures; results are known earlier.
Late Kick-Off (LKO) Matches – Games that take place later (often late evening Saturday, Sunday or Monday), delaying final pool results.
3. People & Places
Promoter – The licensed organization or individual responsible for organizing the football pool, publishing the Advance Fixtures, and paying out winning.
Staker – A person who places a bet or marks a coupon in the pool.
Pool Agents – Local intermediaries who collect bets from players and submit them to licensed promoters.
Pool Houses – Betting shops or community spaces where players gather to mark coupons, submit entries, and track results.
4. Pool Forecasting Tools & Papers
Forecast – Predictions made about which matches are likely to end in draws, often published in forecasting papers or booklets.
Special Advance Fixtures – The official weekly coupon of 49 matches released in advance by pool promoters for marking.
Forecasting Papers – Weekly publications that provide predictions, statistics, and coded draws to guide bettors in choosing matches.
Right On Fixtures – A forecasting paper (called Right On) that publishes tips, likely draws, and expert analyses.
RSK Papers – A collection of popular forecasting papers used by Nigerian pool players, including: Soccer X Research, Bob Morton , Capital International
Soccer X Research – Analysis and coded draws magazine.
Soccer Percentage – Probabilities and form-based predictions.
Bob Morton – One of the oldest forecasting papers.
Capital International – Popular for banker tips and sequences.
Bigwin – Weekly guide with draws forecast.
WinStar – Provides fixed draw predictions.
Temple of Draws – Known for coded draws and key sequences.
Forecasting Booklet – A smaller guide or leaflet (often weekly) that compiles betting tips, sequences, and banker predictions.
Football Keys – Hidden numerical or coded patterns in forecasting papers believed to point to likely draws or direct draws.
Permutation Reckoner – A guide or table used to calculate all possible combinations for permed bets, helping players determine stakes and potential payouts.
5. Betting Strategies & Styles
Banker – A match strongly believed to end in a draw; often the foundation of a coupon.
Pairs – Two matches given as “either/or,” meaning at least one of them is expected to draw.
Perm 3 from 5 / Perm 4 from 6 – Common shorthand for permutation bets (e.g., selecting 5 matches and winning if any 3 of them draw).
Under 2 - A forecast indicating that NOT fewer than 2 matches on the coupon are expected to end in draws that week. Often used in forecasting papers to guide napping or perming strategies.
