We’ve all been there. You back a team to win, they take the lead… and then blow it. It’s one of the most painful ways to lose a bet.
That’s exactly why Bet9ja’s 1UP feature is a total game-changer.
If your team goes 1-0 up at any point, you win your bet instantly – no matter what happens after that. Forget nervy finishes or last-minute heartbreak. With 1UP, once your team takes the lead, your bet is paid out right then and there.
But this blog isn’t just here to explain how it works, it’s here to show you how to use 1UP smartly to win big.
1UP Strategy: Think Beyond the Final Score
Unlike traditional 1X2 bets, 1UP only needs one thing: a lead. That means you can back underdogs to make a fast start, cover both teams in separate singles, or secure an early cash-in on the favourites without sweating stoppage time.
Here’s how sharp punters are using 1UP:
1. Back Fast-Starting Underdogs
Sometimes, a big upset doesn’t need to last 90 minutes to be profitable.
Take this year’s Club World Cup clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Borussia Dortmund. The South African side were huge outsiders, but they took a shock lead just 11 minutes in.
Final score? Dortmund won 4-3. But if you’d backed Sundowns using 1UP, you were already paid out inside the first quarter of an hour.
? GOOOOOAAAL FROM LUCAS RIBEIROOOOO ?
— SportyTV (@SportyTV_) June 21, 2025
THE USAIN BOLT OF BRAZIL FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE RUN ???
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Borussia Dortmund 11'#FIFACWC #SportyTV #MamelodiSundowns #BorussiaDortmund #Ribeiro pic.twitter.com/X4P6XzqWPI
2. Favourites Who Start Fast (But Don’t Finish Strong)
Even the best teams can lose control late. But with 1UP, early dominance is all you need.
In Man City’s dramatic 4-3 loss to Al Hilal, Pep Guardiola’s side went 1-0 up after just 9 minutes. The game turned into chaos after that – but 1UP punters who backed City were already counting their winnings before the equaliser.
Want to go even further? Al Hilal also took the lead later in the match, meaning both sides could’ve paid out with separate 1UP bets by 52 minutes. Easy!
3. Backing Both Sides for Early Drama
When you’re expecting a wild, back-and-forth battle, 1UP allows you to cover both teams with separate bets – and win both if they each take the lead.
In the Champions League, Inter Milan and Barcelona’s two-legged thriller (3-3 and 4-3) was pure chaos. Both teams led at various points. With 1UP, that meant both could’ve won in the same leg.
Read: Our Betting Guide to the 2025 Women’s Euros
4. Giant Killers That Don’t Last 90 Minutes
Cup competitions are famous for early shocks – even when the favourites turn it around.
In the English FA Cup, Plymouth Argyle took a stunning 1-0 lead at the Etihad against Manchester City, before eventually losing 3-1. But with 1UP, that early goal would’ve won the bet before City’s comeback began.
And in the Club World Cup, Boca Juniors were big underdogs vs Benfica, but went 1-0 up after just 21 minutes. The match ended in a draw, but 1UP backers on Boca already had their payout sorted.
MAXIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ?
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 1, 2025
Maksym Talovierov heads in to give @Argyle the lead over Manchester City ?
Just look at the limbs in the away end ?#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/i7wLGKsvKh
Why 1UP is a Smart Tool for Any Punter
Whether you’re looking for:
- Early value on an underdog
- Security backing a favourite without needing a full 90-minute win
- A way to profit off high-scoring, unpredictable matchups
- Or covering both teams in separate singles
1UP gives you more control and less stress.
You can even use 1UP in accumulators, with your leg settled the moment your pick takes the lead. It’s the fastest way to lock in profits – and it’s only at Bet9ja.
