A first scorer bet is a popular type of proposition wager offered by sportsbooks on team sports where points are scored via goals or touchdowns. In its most basic form, a bettor wagers on which specific player will score the very first point-scoring play of a game. This type of bet is available across numerous sports, including football, soccer, and hockey, and is known by various names such as First Touchdown Scorer in the NFL or First Goal Scorer in soccer and the NHL. The appeal of this bet lies in its simplicity and the potential for high payouts, as correctly identifying the first scorer from a large pool of players can be challenging.
The fundamental principle is straightforward: you select one player from either team participating in the match. If your chosen player is officially credited with the first goal or touchdown, your bet is a winner. If any other player scores first, or if the game concludes without any score, the wager is lost. This market is distinct from betting on a team to score first; it requires pinpointing the exact individual who will break the deadlock.
How Does a First Scorer Bet Work?
The mechanics of placing and winning a first scorer bet are consistent across most sports, though the specific definitions of a scoring play may differ. Bettors are presented with a list of all participating players, each with their own odds to score the first goal or touchdown. The odds reflect the perceived probability of that player scoring first, with offensive stars having shorter odds than defensive players.
To win the bet, the following conditions must be met:
- You must select a single player from the list provided by the sportsbook.
- That player must be the one who is officially credited with the first score of the game.
- The game must not end in a scoreless draw (e.g., 0-0), as in that scenario, all first scorer bets are graded as losers.
For example, in a football game, if you bet on a running back to score the first touchdown, the bet wins only if he scores a rushing or receiving touchdown before anyone else. If a wide receiver on his own team or a player on the opposing team scores first, the bet is lost. The high odds associated with these bets are due to the large number of potential outcomes, as any player on the field is technically capable of scoring.
First Scorer Bets Across Different Sports
While the concept is the same, the application of a first scorer bet varies based on the rules and scoring methods of each sport. Understanding these nuances is essential for any bettor looking to engage with this market.
First Touchdown Scorer in Football (NFL)
This is arguably the most popular iteration of the first scorer bet, especially for standalone prime-time NFL games. A bettor selects a player to score the game’s opening touchdown. It is important to note that a player who throws a touchdown pass, such as a quarterback, is not credited with scoring. The player who catches the ball in the end zone or runs it in is the one credited with the score. Touchdowns can be scored in several ways, and all typically count for this bet:
- Rushing Touchdown: A player runs the ball into the end zone.
- Receiving Touchdown: A player catches a pass in the end zone.
- Defensive or Special Teams Touchdown: A player scores on an interception return, fumble recovery, punt return, or kickoff return.
| Player | Team | Odds to Score First TD | Outcome |
| Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | +350 | Wins if he scores the first TD. |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs | +600 | Wins if he scores the first TD. |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | +1800 | Wins if he scores a rushing TD first. A passing TD does not count. |
First Goal Scorer in Soccer
In soccer, a bettor wagers on which player will score the first goal of the match. The odds for strikers and attacking midfielders are generally the shortest, while defenders and goalkeepers have much longer odds. A critical rule to understand in soccer is how own goals are treated. In the vast majority of cases, own goals do not count for First Goal Scorer settlement. If the first goal of the game is an own goal, the bet effectively rolls over to the player who scores the second goal. If no other goals are scored, all first goal scorer bets are considered losers.
| Player | Team | Odds to Score First Goal | Outcome |
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City | +250 | Wins if he scores the first legitimate goal. |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | +400 | Wins if he scores the first legitimate goal. |
| Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | +2500 | Wins if the defender scores the first legitimate goal. |
First Goal Scorer in Hockey (NHL)
Similar to soccer, the First Goal Scorer market in hockey involves betting on the player who will score the first goal of the game. Due to the fast-paced and relatively lower-scoring nature of hockey compared to other sports like basketball, predicting the first scorer can be difficult, often leading to attractive odds even for star players. Any player on the ice, including defensemen, is a potential scorer. The bet is settled based on the player officially credited with the goal by the league.
Understanding the Odds in First Scorer Betting
First scorer bets are known for having generous odds because of the inherent difficulty in predicting the correct outcome. The odds for each player are determined by a combination of factors that sportsbooks analyze to calculate probability. Key factors include:
- Player Position: Offensive players like running backs, wide receivers, and strikers are primary scoring threats and will always have shorter odds than defensive players.
- Player Form: A player who has been scoring frequently in recent games will see their odds shorten.
- Role in the Offense: The team’s main offensive focal point or penalty taker (in soccer) will have lower odds.
- Opponent’s Defensive Strength: The quality of the opposing defense can influence a player’s chances of scoring.
Key Considerations and Rules for First Scorer Bets
Before placing a first scorer bet, it is crucial to understand the specific rules of the sportsbook, as they can vary. However, some common rules are generally applied across the industry.
What Happens if the Player Doesn’t Play?
If the player you selected is not in the team’s active lineup and does not participate in the game at all, the bet is almost universally declared void. This means your original stake is returned to you, and the bet is canceled as if it never happened.
What Happens if the Player Comes on as a Substitute?
This rule is particularly relevant in soccer. If your selected player starts the game on the bench, the bet remains active. However, if a goal is scored before your player enters the game, the bet is typically voided. If they enter the game while the score is still 0-0, the bet continues as normal.
Variations of First Scorer Bets
The popularity of betting on goal scorers has led to the creation of several related markets that offer different levels of risk and reward.
Anytime Scorer
An Anytime Scorer bet is a wager on a player to score a goal or touchdown at any point during the game. It does not matter if their score is the first, last, or somewhere in between. Because the condition for winning is much broader, the odds for an Anytime Scorer bet are significantly lower than for a First Scorer bet, but the probability of winning is much higher.
Last Scorer
As the name suggests, this is the direct opposite of a first scorer bet. You are wagering on which player will score the final goal or touchdown of the game. The odds are often similar to the first scorer market, as it carries a comparable level of difficulty.
