The beautiful game of football has endured for many years and remains one of the most popular sports around the world. In fact, the 2018 FIFA World Cup was watched by a total of nearly one billion viewers, making it the most-watched event in the history of sports TV.
The 2018 World Cup was also one of the most popular sports betting events of all time. The final days of the tournament were met with an incredible surge in bets, with interest in football becoming a national pastime in some countries. In the United Kingdom, for example, 96% of adults are now following UK football results, and 55% of those are considering betting on the games.
For those who love a good game of football, there are plenty of opportunities to place a bet on the World Cup in the UK. However, if you’re new to betting or just want to know how football bets work, then read on!
The Math Behind The Odds
If you’re new to gambling or simply want to know more about betting odds, then head over to our betting odds page. Here you’ll find all the information you need to make confident and informed gambling decisions. In short, you can start by reading our general guidelines and then move on to the theory section for a deeper dive into the mathematics behind sports betting odds.
General Guidelines For Those Who Want To Bet On Football
We’re sure most of you reading this are passionate about football and have your eye on the upcoming tournament. If you’re new to betting or just want to learn how to make the right decisions when betting on sport, then please keep reading!
There’s a lot to consider when placing a football bet, and it’s important to understand the theory and math behind the odds. In this section, we’ll discuss some general guidelines that may come in handy when placing your bets. They include:
Only Place Small Bets
It’s an age-old debate among gamblers: Should you bet big or small? If you’ve ever watched the television show _Moneyball_, then you may remember the dilemma faced by Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane. With the budget for his baseball operations group being a strict $16 million, Beane needed to find ways to maximize his investment. One way he did this was by regularly placing small bets throughout the season. Although this may sound counterproductive, it proved to be a smart strategy as Beane eventually won more than 90% of his bets.
There’s a lesson to be learned here for those who want to bet on football. The key is to find a way to bet on the game efficiently, and maximizing your return while minimizing your risk is the way to go.
Diversify Your Bets
In the same way that baseball fans followed the Oakland A’s this year more than any other year, so too did people bet on the US men’s national soccer team this year. One reason for this may be that last year’s World Cup was the most-viewed in history, with a peak audience of about 500 million people tuning in to watch the drama unfold in Moscow. Since everyone was watching, people wanted in on the action and many places opened up on the betting market.
Even if you think you have a good grasp of the game, it’s important to be aware of the various strategies and nuances that can affect the final score. If you wanted to bet on the USMNT to win the World Cup, then it would be a good idea to do so across a number of bookmakers, as this will reduce the risk of losing money because of unfavorable odds. Alternatively, you could look into backing the underdogs with the goal of creating the illusion of a competitive edge – this is what happened in the 2016 US presidential election when oddsmakers favored Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to win.
Avoid Free Betting Offers
Free betting offers are usually advertised as part of an attractive bonus structure, offering significant bonuses for little or no wagering requirements. The catch is that these offers usually have very high limits, and this means you could find yourself in trouble if you go overboard.
It’s always good practice to look out for these types of offers when you’re online betting. Sometimes they’re presented as a welcome bonus when you make a deposit, or they could be listed on social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook.
The key is to look at the terms and conditions of the offer closely. If it’s possible to withdraw your winnings from the offer without penalty, then great – but don’t overextend yourself. Check with a representative from the online bookmaker to make sure you understand the specifics of the deal before you commit.
Stay Positive
It’s important to stay positive when betting. Even the greatest athletes on the planet have bad games from time to time, and this is often reflected in sporting events where the outcomes are somewhat random. When this happens, it’s important to remain calm and remember that you’re not completely relying on luck – or random chance – to bring you wins. Instead, you’re placing a wager based on the skills of the participating teams and players.
If you find yourself in a situation where you feel like you’re not getting the best odds, then it’s important to remember that this is no reason to lose faith in humanity. With some careful consideration and research, you might find that the bookies have unknowingly provided you with some great value, which you just didn’t see at first glance. Don’t be afraid to ask for a refund if you feel that you’re being unfairly treated – most bookmakers will be more than happy to address any concerns, even if it’s just to prove to you that they are indeed acting in good faith.
Last but not least, it’s important to note that the odds change from one betting exchange to the next. If you find that certain odds are better than others, then make sure you weigh this fact when placing your wagers. Never be afraid to switch your bets if the odds change in your favor – you might find that a side you always backed ended up being the favorite, or conversely, a team you didn’t like as much won by a wide margin.
The Theory Behind The Odds
If you’re new to betting or just want to know more about how the probabilities work, then head over to our theory section. Here you’ll find in-depth coverage of the four key elements that determine the outcome of a sporting event:
Home Advantage
Home advantage is one of the most significant factors that determine the outcome of a sporting event. This advantage occurs when the home team’s fans assist in their team’s effort by providing an emotional boost and an increased feeling of loyalty toward the squad.
It’s estimated that home advantage can add nearly half a goal to the score of a professional match. In the 2017 MLS regular season, the average home victory was by a margin of 2.25 goals. This means that the home team scored about 2.25 goals more than their away counterparts. While this margin might not seem large, if you extrapolate this over a full ninety-minute game, then this can add up to a significant amount of wagering revenue. When the LA Galaxy play at home, they can expect to earn about $6.6 million in extra revenue per game as a result of this advantage.
Weather And Travel
The weather can significantly influence the outcome of a sporting event. If you’re wondering why, it’s because extreme temperatures and extreme rain/snowfall can prevent the physicality of a game that may otherwise be considered a draw. It happens all the time in the USA, and especially in the NFL where players are always adjusting their routine because of the weather. If you’re looking to place a wager on a game that might be affected by the weather, then you need to look into the specific weather conditions for that sport.
The other factor that can influence the outcome of a sporting event is travel. For a variety of reasons, some games just take place in one location while others require the teams to travel long distances. This can make a significant difference in terms of the odds as teams that travel frequently and consistently win more than those who only play at home. This is also why the NBA is considered to be one of the more popular and profitable sports in the world.