There is plenty of evidence to suggest that sports betting has been around for longer than you might think. The earliest recorded instances of bookmakers taking bets on sporting events date back to 732 AD, with the first legalised sports books appearing in England and Wales in 1881. Although wagers on sporting events had been placed before this point, it was only during this time that bookmakers started to receive recognition for their efforts from the courts and the government.
Fast forward a century and sports betting has grown quite significantly, not only in popularity but also in terms of the variety of sports and events that can be watched and gambled on.
Here we’ll explore some of the more interesting facts about sports betting:
The Spread
If you’re new to sports betting then it might be a good idea to start by learning about the spread, also known as the point-spread. This is the number of points that the bettor is willing to lay on the basis of the actual score of the game, rather than just the total number of points scored. For example, if a cricket game ends in a tie and you’re looking to lay some cash on the result, the spread will be zero and it’s a no-brainer.
If you’re visiting this article then it’s likely that you’re already aware of the spread, having viewed it on TV, perhaps even while watching the live event. However, it’s a good idea to learn more and, in particular, how it works, so that you can fully understand the betting decision that you’re being asked to make.
The Over/Under
Oddly enough, some sports such as football and rugby have only ever been played at even numbers of players, so they don’t have any odd-man-out outcomes when it comes to scores. As a result, it’s only ever been possible to wager on the total number of goals or the number of tries in those sports. If you’re not familiar with the term over/under then it basically refers to a bet where you have to choose between two outcomes: either the score will be above a certain amount or it will be below a certain amount.
These limits can vary from one event to another, but in general, you’re unlikely to find a bookmaker who offers odds on anything below an over/under of two goals, or two tries in rugby.
Fixed Odds
Some bookmakers offer fixed odds, which means that the odds of winning are always the same, regardless of the outcome of the game. If you’re familiar with the concept of fixed odds then it’s just like the spread, except that the odds are set and won’t change throughout the duration of the game. Fixed odds bets are great for anyone looking to place bets on sporting events that they’re likely to miss, due to being busy with other things in their lives, or due to the time of day that the game is played.
For instance, if you want to place a bet on the New York Knicks to win the 2019 NBA Championship, but you’re unable to do so during the early morning hours, when the games are usually played, then fixed odds are the perfect solution. NBA games are usually played at night, with the Finals being held in June and July, so you won’t have to wait long to find yourself in the right place at the right time to lay your wagers.
Combinations
If you like to dive into the details of sports betting, then you’ll soon discover that different sports have different betting schemes, so it can rapidly get complicated. However, there is one scheme that is used by most sports, and that is the combination bet. This is a type of bet where you combine the results of two or more sports to get the result that you’re looking for. For example, in football you might want to bet on Tottenham Hotspur to win the Premiership, while at the same time you’re laying odds on Manchester United to beat Southampton in the FA Cup Final.
The appeal of the combination bet is that it’s often easier to understand than to wade through the rules and schemes of one sport, especially if you’re new to betting. However, as a general rule of thumb, the fewer sports you combine, the better. Too many combinations can quickly lead to confusion and, subsequently, money-management issues.
Acceptable Gaming Vehicles
Depending on where you are, what types of gaming devices you’re allowed to use might be something that could get in the way of you enjoying yourself. For example, in some places it’s only permitted to use a card device, while in others these might not be allowed at all. If you’re playing on a land-based sports book then make sure that you’re aware of what types of gaming devices are permitted there. Otherwise, you might find yourself in trouble. Just keep in mind that most bookmakers will be more than happy to accommodate your preferred playing style.
Mobile
The growth of mobile gaming has had a significant impact on sports betting, with people now more than ever before seeking to place wagers while on the go. This has led to the rise of mobile sportsbooks, which is great news for those looking to place wagers while on the move. If you’re fanatical about your sports and always on the lookout for the next big game, then you might not want to miss out on the opportunity to place bets while traveling. Throwing in the occasional trip to a sporting event, with the ability to follow the game’s action on your phone, is definitely one way of making the most of a long layover.
Keep in mind that, as with any other form of online gambling, there are risks associated with mobile sports betting. Especially if you’re not willing to be mindful of your actions and how they impact your life. However, if you’re really feeling adventurous and don’t mind taking the occasional gamble, then why not?
International
The number of people engaging in sports betting has risen steadily over the last few years, with 2018 seeing the most international wagers, followed by 2017, 2015, and then 2014. As the world becomes more international and people seek to diversify their gambling habits, the appeal of sports betting is becoming more apparent. If you like the idea of placing bets on sporting events involving teams and players from all over the world, then learning a new language or using a VPN to access geo-restricted content might be something that could interest you.
History
It’s well-established that history is rarely made by long, drawn-out processes. Instead, it’s usually the result of a series of small occurrences, which later on come together to create a larger picture. In the case of sports betting, this larger picture is one of gradual and steady growth, as evidenced by the fact that the majority of the competitions and odds that we talk about today existed way back in the 1700s. It’s only in more recent times that sports betting has truly taken off.