What is First Goalscorer?

How First Goalscorer Works

To place a First Goalscorer bet, you select one outfield player and back them to score the opening goal of the match. The bet is settled on whoever puts the ball in the net first, regardless of whether the goal is credited as an own goal by the opposing side. Own goals do not count for settlement purposes at most bookmakers — if the first goal of the game is an own goal, the bet typically stands and the next scorer after that own goal does not retroactively become the 'first goalscorer'. However, rules on this differ between operators, so always check the specific terms before placing.

Prices typically range from around 5/1 for a prolific striker expected to start, up to 50/1 or beyond for a defender or substitute. A player must start or come on as a substitute to have any chance of winning the bet, but settlement rules vary: some bookmakers void the bet and return your stake if your selected player does not take part in the match at all, while others settle losing bets as losers if the player comes on as a substitute but does not score first. Always confirm whether the operator applies a 'must start' or 'must participate' rule.

Worked Example

Suppose you back a striker at 8/1 with a £10 stake to score first in a Premier League fixture. The match kicks off, an opposing defender turns the ball into his own net after 12 minutes, and your striker then scores a legitimate goal on 25 minutes. Under the standard own-goal rule, the own goal is disregarded for settlement, meaning your striker is credited as the first goalscorer and your bet wins, returning £90 (£80 profit plus your £10 stake returned).

Now consider the same bet in a match where your striker is named as a substitute and does not come on until the 70th minute, by which point two goals have already been scored. Even if he scores after coming on, the bet loses because he was not the first goalscorer. If he had not appeared at all, the outcome — refund or loss — would depend entirely on the bookmaker's participation rules. This is a genuine source of dispute for punters and worth understanding before placing.

Why It Matters When Judging a Tipster

First Goalscorer markets carry a high overround — the bookmaker's built-in margin — which is often significantly wider than match-result markets. This means the implied probability of all listed players scoring first sums to well above 100%, making it harder for a tipster to generate long-term positive expected value. When reviewing a tipster's record in this market, pay close attention to sample size and whether advised odds were consistently available at the time tips were issued. A run of winners at long prices can flatter overall figures if the underlying strike rate is low.

Closing line value is difficult to measure in First Goalscorer markets because liquidity on exchanges is limited compared with match-result or goals markets. As a result, it can be harder to verify whether a tipster has a genuine edge or has simply benefited from variance. Look for proofed records over a large number of selections, honest reporting of void bets due to non-participation, and clear disclosure of which bookmaker's odds were used. Be cautious of tipsters who record wins at odds unavailable to most retail punters.

FAQs

Related terms