Football, also known as soccer in some parts of the world, is undoubtedly the most popular sport for betting in the UK. An astonishing 40% of all money spent by bettors is wagered on football matches. With a vast number of games being played regularly, the betting industry has grown exponentially, offering punters an array of markets to explore. To make informed decisions and increase their chances of success, punters must comprehend these markets. This article provides an extensive guide to football betting to help equip punters with the necessary knowledge to navigate the world of sports betting confidently.
Understanding Football Betting Odds
When it comes to football betting, odds play a crucial role in determining potential winnings. Odds represent the ratio between the stake and potential payout for a specific outcome. Bookmakers like Betway set these odds, and bettors use them to calculate potential returns on their bets. Odds are usually expressed as fractions (e.g., 2/1), but can also be shown as decimals (e.g., 3.0 is equivalent to 2/1). For example, odds of 2/1 mean that for every $1 bet, the bettor will receive $2 in winnings, plus their initial stake returned. Decimal odds of 3.0 would yield a total return of ÂŁ3 for every $1 bet.
Understanding sports odds is important for bettors to determine the potential profit and make informed betting decisions. Additionally, odds can vary between different bookmakers, so it’s essential to shop around for the best odds to maximize potential returns.
Types of Football Bets
- Match Betting: This is the simplest form of football betting offered by Betway and most other bookmakers, where punters pick the outcome of a match, such as a home win, draw, or away win. The result is determined after 90 minutes, and extra time or penalty kicks don’t count for this market. Match betting is the most common and straightforward way to bet on football.
- Bet Builder/Same Game Multi: Bet builders allow punters to create accumulators of outcomes from a single match. They can combine selections like goalscorers, and corners and match results to create attractive odds. Bet builders have gained popularity in recent years due to their flexibility and the ability to tailor bets to specific match scenarios.
- Player Props/Player Stats: This betting market focuses on individual player performances, such as the number of shots, tackles, or offsides during a match. Bookmakers like Betway offer various player prop markets to provide more value to players. Betting on player props allows bettors to capitalize on their knowledge of individual player strengths and weaknesses.
- Asian Handicap Bet: Asian handicaps give a “handicap” to the favored team, eliminating the possibility of a draw. The bookmakers assign a plus or minus figure to each team, indicating their handicap. Asian handicap betting is popular for matches with clear favorites, where the odds for a straight match result may be unattractive.
- Half-Time/Full-Time: Punters can bet on the result of the first half and/or the second half of a match, predicting which team will lead at half-time and full-time. This type of bet can be particularly appealing when one team is known for starting or finishing matches strongly.
- Double Chance: This bet allows punters to cover two of the three possible match outcomes to increase their chances of winning. Options include home team or draw, away team or draw, and home team or away team. Double-chance betting is popular for matches where the underdog has a chance of causing an upset.
- Accumulators: Accumulators combine multiple selections into one bet, offering the potential for big returns for small stakes. All selections must win for the bettor to receive the payout. Accumulators are attractive bets due to the potential for substantial winnings from small initial investments.
- Goalscorer Betting: Bettors can bet on a specific player to score during a match, predicting the first or last goalscorer or a player to score at any time during the game. Goalscorer betting is a popular market, especially when top strikers are in excellent form.
- Correct Score/Scorecast/Wincast: These bets involve predicting the final score of a match, combining goalscorers and match results for higher odds. Correct score betting is challenging but can yield significant returns for successful predictions.
- Over and Under Betting: Punters bet on the total number of times an event (e.g., goals, corners) will occur during a match, predicting whether it will be over or under a given baseline number. Over and under betting offers a range of options and is popular for matches where the expected number of events may be uncertain.
- Draw No Bet: This market offers punters a safety net by returning their stake if the match ends in a draw, but the odds may be lower than in other markets. Draw no bet betting can be useful when backing the underdog in a closely contested match.
- Next Manager and Player Odds Markets: Bookmakers offer odds on events that take place off the pitch, such as the next manager to be sacked or player transfer rumors. These markets add an extra layer of excitement to football betting and appeal to fans interested in the managerial and transfer aspects of the sport.
- In-Play Betting: In-play betting allows punters to place bets on outcomes during a live match, making it more interactive and enjoyable. In-play betting opens up a plethora of betting opportunities, with bookmakers offering various markets that change dynamically throughout the match.
Finding Value in Football Betting
While football betting can be thrilling, it is important to make well-informed decisions to increase the likelihood of success. Conducting thorough research and relying on one’s knowledge of the game are essential steps to finding value in bets. Sticking with familiar markets such as the Premier League – for avid followers – or the football news from Betway Insider can help bettors make better decisions. Accessing statistics and prop markets from bookmakers can also provide valuable insights.
Another way to find value is to compare odds from different bookmakers. Odds can vary significantly between different betting sites, and securing the best odds for a particular bet can lead to higher potential returns. Many online platforms and comparison websites allow punters to compare odds quickly and easily.
It is also essential to consider the context of the match, including team news, recent form, and head-to-head records. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the teams involved can help punters identify value bets.
Responsible Gambling
Football betting offers a vast array of markets and opportunities for punters to explore. While it can be exciting and rewarding, it is essential to approach betting with caution and responsibility. Set a budget for betting, and never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. Gambling should be seen as a form of entertainment, and it is important to maintain discipline and avoid chasing losses.