So, you want to start wagering on football and would like a beginners guide to football betting?
If you answered this question as “yes”, you are in the right place.
Football is one of the most popular sports people bet on passionately in the world, and truth be told if you really want to win in it or get the same rewards these avid players get, then it is important that you understand things like the key features of football markets and their inner workings as well.
Whether you are betting as a hobby or in it professionally, this beginners’ guide gives you knowledge on how football betting works, odds, types of bets you are likely to come across and tips too that’ll make the process easier for you.
Let’s dive in…
What Is Football Betting?
Football betting is the act of predicting football match results and placing a wager (bet) on their outcomes.
In football betting there are several markets offered by bookmakers in competitions and league matches as well. Each market is different and pays differently depending on the rules of prediction governing them and how accurately you make those predictions.
How Does Football Betting Work?
During football season several matches can happen in a week making available markets to bet on which are offered by bookmakers (betting sites) in the form of huge varieties of different odds on every single detail of a match.
These bookmakers give their prices on the outcome of matches and events that happen during a match like number of goals scored, corners won, red or yellow cards issued to a player, and individual goal scorers.
Similarly, many different bookmakers continuously give customers special offers and competitive odds to ensure that you get the best value bet.
Once the outcome of your betting prediction is confirmed and your bet emerges a winner, you will be paid your original stake price plus the winning from the odds.
What are odds in football betting?
In betting, odds are what represent the probability of an event occuring (like a match ending in a draw or 4 goals to one). The price shown for an odd means the percentage chance of an event happening or not.
Odds also represent the ratio between amounts staked by parties to a wager or bet. So, if there is an odds of 3 to 1 it simply means the first party (the bookmaker) staked three times the amount wagered by the second party (the bettor).
If you are starting football betting or any other type of betting, you need to understand, read and be able to interpret various odds formats because it helps you intelligently place bets.
Types of odds
There are three main types of odds – Moneyline (American), British odds (fractional), and European odds (decimal).
We have briefly explained all 3 types below.
1. Fractional Odds
Fractional odds, UK or traditional odds are mostly used by British and Irish bookmakers and are written with a slash (/) or hyphen (-). The world’s largest bookmakers use this odds.
In fractional odds you receive a stipulated amount plus the wager you placed, as a total payout. So if the odds are 6/1, you will get $6 for $1 you placed. And will also get your stake back in addition to the profit of $6 that’s $7.
2. European Odds
European Odds or Decimal odds are popular in places like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. These odds are easier to understand and calculate and it involves supporting favorites or underdogs.
Decimal odds numbers represent the amount you win for every $1 you wager and the total payout you get rather than the profit. Your stake is already included in the decimal number, so there is no need to add back your stake.
If you bet $100 on a decimal listing of 4.00 you get a total payout of $400 that is ($100 x 4.00) – your initial stake of $100 and a net profit of $300.
3. Moneyline Odds
Moneyline Odds aka American or US Odds are popularly used in the United States.
In moneyline, odds backing favorites are accompanied by a minus sign (-) and show the amount you need to stake to win $100 – e.g stake $300 to win payout of $100.
While odds for underdogs have a plus sign (+) and show the amount you win for every $100 you stake. E.g stake $100 to win $300.
Whether you back the favorites or underdogs, you get your initial wager price back plus the amount won.
Types of Football Bets
There are different types of football bets or markets. In some, like Accumulator Bets, you can combine different selections into one large odds price to place your bet.
1. Double Chance
Double Chance bets lets you bet on three outcomes of a match:
- Home team or draw
- Away team or draw
- Home team or away team win
If any of your outcomes happen, you win.
2. Accumulator Bets
Accumulator Bets combine multiple selections into one bet and have the potential to offer you big rewards because your winnings from each match selections are put on the next one.
You can pick up to four teams and if they all win, you receive your payout.
3. Over/Under
In Overs and Unders you bet on the amount of goals to be scored, over or under an amount.
If you bet over 2.5 it means 3 or more goals, while under 2.5 means 0, 1, or 2 goals to be scored.
4. Draw No Bet
In Draw No Bet you bet on the outcome of a match, but if it ends in a draw, you get your money back.
DNB is a safe bet, but has lower odds than other markets.
5. In-Play
In In-Play betting, you can place your bets for an outcome while a match is currently ongoing. As you watch the match live, you can bet on which team will score next.
6. Match Bet
Match Bets means you can wager on three different outcomes that will occur within the 90 minutes of a match. This could be draws, home team or away team win. If within 90 minutes any of these things happen, you get paid. But if it happens at extra time or penalty, it doesn’t count.
7. Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting (point or line betting) is used by bookmakers to level the playing field when a weaker and stronger team is matched for a game, by giving an advantage to the weak team and disadvantage to the strong team.
There are two types of handicap bet – Asian and European.
8. Half-time/Full-time
In Half-time / Full-time you bet on the outcome of a match for the first half or second half. This can be a home team or away team win or draw.
9. Scorecast
Scorecast is when you select a player to score the first goal of a match and predict the correct score. The odds for this bet are higher because it involves two outcomes.
10. Wincast
Wincast is similar to Scorecast, but involves predicting a goalscorer and the outcome of the match rather than correct score.
Football Betting Tips To Note
One way to learn football betting is by following our guide to understand the basics. The 5 other ways to learn, we have shared them below:
1. Bet With a Trusted Betting Site
As a beginner, there are many sites that would just love to take your money, but it’s important that you be thorough when choosing a betting site.
A betting site can make or mar you as a bettor, and you don’t want to use one where you end up losing your money or your private data.
2. Bet With Your Head
Passion fuels football betting, but that doesn’t mean that you should do it with your heart.
What we mean is, don’t back the team you want to win, you don’t control the outcomes, instead bet on the one you think will win. Similarly, don’t bet against teams you don’t like because you think they are going to lose.
3. Start Slow
As a beginner bettor, test the waters before you go all in.
Don’t bet on every match you see or accept every odd a bookmaker suggests to you without having enough knowledge or experience about how they work.
4. Know Team Motivation
Your bet is only as good as the team you back, so try to understand what motivates them.
Teams that have done badly and risk relegation, fight harder to stay in the league than the team that has already won the league and is now cruising through their matches.
5. Avoid Friendlies
Teams don’t put much effort in friendlies and they may use their reserve players.
Also, if friendlies are at the beginning of a new season which they usually are, players will be too careful not to get injuries and may not play as hard as they do.
