Sports betting fans often resort to different strategies when deciding how to invest their money. Those with a more conservative profile prefer to minimize risks, making safer guesses, even with lower profits. The more daring people like to place their chips in riskier bets, which offer a very tempting return.
Every person has his preference, and there is no right or wrong in the universe of betting in football championships. According to the bettor’s profile, it’s all about assessing the risks and rewards, choosing the most profitable options. Some are willing to accumulate their earnings gradually, through several more cautious guesses; others prefer to select a straight shot to conquer a jackpot at once.
These differences are possible thanks to the odds used by bookmakers when accepting hunches at given events. Investing in a super favorite’s victory allows a more modest profit since the chance of error is less. Understanding how this relationship between risk and profit works is the initial step for success when exploring betting sites. And the first term you need to know to master the subject is the odds of the event offered
Table of content:
- What are the odds, really?
- Different strategies, different ways to profit
- Moneyline, the classic bet on football
- How much is your bet worth?
- Who decides the odds for a match?
- Watch for variations in odds
- The right time to make your guess
What are the odds, really?
The easiest way to explain what the term means is as follows: odds are each team’s value on a football bet. Odds reflect the probability that a particular event will happen in a match or championship.
A victory by Real Madrid against Las Palmas, for example, is much more likely than a setback by the powerful Madrid club against this modest opponent. Due to the historical background and the difference between the squads, Real’s favouritism makes betting on the team from the Spanish capital a much safer option. Thus, the return obtained by those who invest in this result is less, as the bettor will be taking much less risk.
Different strategies, different ways to profit
As aforementioned, each bettor adopts a strategy, and there is not only one way to profit. What we can say is that beginning bettors need to be cautious. The best way to start playing is to place several small bets, lessening the risk. Besides, it is recommended not to stake on an underdog right away, irrespective of their attractive odds. It is worth remembering that these prices are high for a reason. The payoff is high, but so is the risk.
Moneyline, the classic bet on football
In the most important matches, bookmakers even offer dozens of guessing options. You can stake in the most different aspects of a game, from the winners of the goals to the winning team’s goal margin, through the number of yellow and red cards received and the total number of corners collected during the duel.
The most classic bet, however, is the choice of the winner. Known as Moneyline, this type of bet is the favorite shot by football fans. You consult the odds established for each result (home win, draw, or visitor’s win), choose the option that you consider most profitable, and make your guess.
It is not always about putting your money in the best team. According to the odds, you may find it more advantageous to risk a little more. Let’s say that Barcelona will face a small team, but that usually complicates the favorite’s playing style whenever these teams meet. In that case, it may be worthwhile to bet on the underdog, as the odds for that result are much higher.
How much is your bet worth?
The odds indicate the amount paid for each real wagered on a particular event in a football match. To know how much you will win in case of a successful guess, look at the odds and multiply the amount invested.
If the odds of a Juventus win over Chievo are 1.5, it means that a $10 bet offers a $ resul15 return. Let’s say the odds of a Chievo win over Juve are 7.00. If you bet $10 on this result, and it happens, you receive $70.
Who decides the odds for a match?
The bookmakers themselves define what the odds are for each team in each game or football league. This work is done by specialists hired by the betting sites to point out the odds considered adequate for each duel.
Whoever calculates the odds takes into account several factors. Who is the mastermind of the challenge? Which team has the best squad? Which club has the best sequence in the championship? What is the historical background between the two teams?
Several variables help to determine the quote. Besides the statistics, there are also more subjective factors, such as the motivation of each team and the more fantastic support of the home crowd – if, for some reason, the expectation is that the stadium will be full, for example.
Watch for variations in odds
If you are starting to bet now, you will soon realize that the odds are not fixed. That is, the price established for a given result may vary from one day to the next. Several factors can cause this variation.
When many bettors invest in the same result, the bookmaker may adjust the values according to this demand. In that case, the bookmaker may understand that there was a mistake in calculating the odds and that the odds established for each outcome need to be changed. Even experts can make mistakes in assessing a team’s chances of winning.
You will also notice that there may be disparities in the odds established for the same match at different bookmakers on the internet. It is also common: each site has its criteria when calculating the probabilities, explaining the differences in quotes.
For the user, this means that it is necessary always to be attentive to odds since this observation can mean a higher profit. Over time, you will learn to identify the most favorable quotes, know the right time to make your guess, and find the most attractive alternatives.
The right time to make your guess
In theory, the best time to choose a winning option is at the beginning. Suppose you are convinced about your prognosis for a match, stake on the predicted result right away, before the bookmaker makes possible changes to the quotes. As we mentioned above, sometimes the betting sites adjust the odds to repair possible errors of assessment.
Alternatively, making your guess right at the beginning of bets for a given match can cause some headaches. After all, you are subject to unforeseen events that can alter the projections for a duel. Let’s say that the star of the team you chose to win suffers an injury in the last training session for the game. The chances of winning will inevitably decrease, exposing the bettor to unexpected risk.
As with many other aspects of the sports betting universe, there is no rule to be followed when it comes to the right time to make your guess. There are different strategies, each with its advantages and disadvantages. It is best to stay well-informed, check the variations in the odds, and gradually learn how to increase your chances of profit.
