A massive 40% of all bets are on just one particular sport – football. Football is not just the most-watched and popular sport in the world. It happens to also be the most bet on across the globe and it is no surprise when you look at the love that people have for the beautiful game.
Hence, it is absolutely essential to know and understand all the key features of football betting and its markets.
The incredible number of football matches that are played across the world has significantly led to the rapid growth and development of the betting industry. It has given bettors a chance to place bets on various types of markets. Many betting sites such as SportyBet.com offer deals and attractive as well as competitive odds.
Here are some of the important terms you need to know when football betting – the types of bets and odds that will help you really elevate your betting game and enhance your chances of success when betting.
There are many football matches available for you to bet on. Bookies provide odds on the probability of the outcome of matches and events during the game. These probabilities include the number of goals scored, corners taken, red and yellow cards shown, individual goalscorers and the match score as well.
Several sportsbooks have special offers and good odds to try and give you the best value bet. Once the event’s outcome is confirmed, the winner gets paid the original amount placed as a bet along with the winnings from the odds.
Types of bets
Match Bet
The match bet is the most convenient form of football betting. You must bet on the ultimate result of the match. This is also known as an outright bet and the winnings are paid after the game ends.
If the scores are level, the draw is the winning bet. The result after extra time or penalties does not change the betting odds.
Bet builder/same game multi
Bet builders are a new addition to the concept of football betting. Despite this, these have gained lots of popularity. Sometimes referred to as the same game multi, these bets effectively accumulate outcomes from a single match rather than several matches.
Player stats
Player stats or props bets are a practical demonstration of how far the betting markets have evolved from the traditional simple goal or card markets. You can now bet on individual players to have shots, shots on target, the goalscorer first/last/match or to be booked (yellow card) or sent off (red card).
Asian Handicap Bet
In an Asian Handicap bet, your selection must overcome a handicap. What makes this bet unique is that it eliminates the possibility of a draw in betting terms.
European Handicap Bet
A European handicap bet has similarities to an Asian handicap bet. However, there are two major differences – (i) the draw remains an option, and (ii) the handicaps are only whole numbers.
Half-time/Full-time Bet
In half-time and full-time football betting, you can bet on the first half or the second half. You can bet on either team to win or draw for one or both halves.
Double Chance
Double chance lets you bet on any two of the three outcomes of the match. Such a form of betting increases your chance of winning but your odds fall drastically.
Accumulators
As the name suggests, accumulators combine multiple bets into one bet. This is how you can make a large amount of money, which is why this form of betting is extremely popular.
Goalscorer Betting
Goalscorer betting is as simple as its name. It involves placing a bet on a particular player to score during a match.
Over and Under betting
It is a bet on the total number of times an event (e.g. goals, corners, yellow cards) will happen during a match.
A sportsbook sets odds for this. These odds roughly represent the ratio between the stake and winnings on particular outcomes. They are usually displayed as fractions (eg: 2/1) but can sometimes be portrayed as decimals as well (2.00). The bettor can decide to choose between the two.
Types of odds in football betting
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds are otherwise known as UK odds. These odds feature a hyphen or slash. For example, 6/1 or 6-1. These hyphens or slashes basically mean you would win £6 for every £1 bet. You also win the original amount you bet with.
Money line Odds
Money line odds are popular among American bookmakers and are hence called American odds.
The favourites are represented by a negative sign. The negative sign indicates how much you must put to stake to take home £100. On the other hand, a positive sign is used for the underdogs in the match. It indicates the amount that can be won for each £100 that is wagered. You will get back the amount you stake in addition to your winnings.
Decimal Odds
Decimal odds are extremely popular. They have alternate names, including continental odds, digital odds, or European odds, as they are prevalent in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Europe. The numbers in decimal odds indicate how much you would win for every £1. These odds represent the total payouts instead of the profits (including your stake).
Hong Kong Odds
Unheard of in most places, these odds are widely famous in Hong Kong (surprise, surprise). That gives them their name.
They resemble fractional odds and only differ in the way profits are calculated. The total payout is calculated by multiplying the odds by the bet you place.
For example, you put £100 on a team with odds of 100/0.5. This means you will win £50 plus the £100 you wagered if the team wins.
Once you have understood all the essentials of football betting, you can start betting by picking out good value bets to win some money and avoid the disappointment of losing.
You can always make football exciting by placing bets, but remember to bet responsibly and use your head and not just your heart.
