If you’re reading this, you’re probably already aware that sportsbooks can offer odds on almost any sporting event, but what exactly are those odds, and how do you determine whether or not they’re worth paying attention to? In this article, we’ll discuss some simple guidelines to help you determine the best way to play sports betting, including how to read tennis betting odds.
Pay Attention To The Overall Line Movement
One of the first things you’ll want to do if you’re ever betting on a tennis match is to check the overall line movement. Simply put, overall line movement is the net change in the odds of one team or player winning a match, which in this case is determined by comparing the current odds with the odds from earlier in the day. When looking at the overall line movement, you want to focus on two things:
- The change in the final odds of the match
- Whether or not that change was in the right direction, i.e., up or down
The first item listed above is self-explanatory; it’s the final odds. The second item is a little more complex and is a topic that we’ll discuss in more detail below. As a general rule of thumb, if the change in the final odds is positive, then you’re generally looking at a good betting opportunity. If not, then you may want to consider backing away from the action or taking a different approach.
Examine The Change From A Different Perspective
Now that we’ve covered the important basics, it’s time to examine the change in the odds from a different perspective. Bear in mind that when the odds change in the right direction (i.e., they go up), then the bettor has hit a winning streak, and vice versa for when they go down. To put it simply, when the odds go up, win; when they go down, lose.
When you examine the change in the odds from a different perspective and apply the winning/losing implications, then it’s much easier to understand the rationale behind seeking out and using these numbers. Consider this: if you’re looking at the odds for the New York Yankees to beat the Houston Astros, and the Yanks’ odds are currently 5/2 (or half chance) and the Astros are favored by 10/2 (or twice their chance), then that means the odds are moving in favor of the Yanks. In other words, you have a winning streak on the line. While it’s always a good idea to examine the change in the odds from a different perspective, in the case of tennis it’s particularly important to remember that change can be a fickle mistress, and what applies for one team or player may not necessarily apply to the other. As a general rule, if you’re ever unsure about whether or not to bet on tennis, then it’s probably best to walk away.
Determine Whether Or Not The Change Was In The Right Direction
Whether or not the change in the odds was in the right direction is something that you need to determine for yourself. Essentially, you need to ask yourself two questions:
- Was the change in the right direction or were the odds about to change direction (i.e., go up or down)?
- If the change was in the right direction, how much of a change did you see?
The first question above is pretty self-explanatory and is, at the very least, a good starting point for your inquiry. Remember, when the odds change in the right direction, then that usually means the bettor is winning, and vice versa when they go in the wrong direction. As for the second question above, it’s important to determine how much of a change you actually saw. In the case of the Houston/New York example above, you’d want to see the odds go from the Yanks being 5/2 and the Astros being 10/2 to the Yanks being 5/1 and the Astros being 15/1, which is a 15% change in the overall odds in favor of the Yanks. In other words, you’d want to see more movement to the right (i.e., up) instead of left (i.e., down). In general, if you see that the odds are moving in the right direction, but it doesn’t look like they’re moving by enough to make a notable difference, then it may be best to back away.
Look At The Total Number Of Runs Scored In The Match
Tennis is a sport that is all about scoring, and as such, there are several different ways in which a match can end. One of the things that you need to keep in mind though is how many runs were scored in the match. Essentially, if the total number of runs is evenly distributed throughout the match, then you can usually assume that no matter who wins, it will be a fairly close match, which is great for the bettor. In other words, you may want to look at the total number of runs scored in the match and how that compares to the number of runs that were scored in the first half of the match. If the number of runs is higher in the second half, then there is usually a good chance that the match will be close, and vice versa if it’s a closer-than-expected match at the end.
Watch For Key Injuries
Injuries often play a major role in determining the outcome of a match, and in the case of professional tennis, it’s usually one injury that proves to be the difference between victory and defeat. If you’re ever unsure about whether or not to bet on tennis, then it’s probably best to walk away because there is usually a clear-cut indication as to whether or not an injury will prove to be significant. If an injury is significant, then that usually means the injury itself will prove to be the difference between winning and losing the match. In other words, if you see that one player is injured, and that injury proves to be a significant factor in the outcome of the match, then you may have found a winning streak or a losing streak on the line. In the case of professional tennis, one of the best things that you can do for yourself as a bettor is to pay attention to the injuries and get a good idea of whether or not they’ll prove to be significant. Watching for key injuries and knowing how to read them correctly can make or break your winning streak or losing streak. In general, if you see that a player is injured, then you may want to back away because there is usually more than one outcome (i.e., win or lose) that can happen as a result of the injury. If you do decide to go ahead with the wager, then it’s usually best to wait until the injury is over and done with before making your wager. In the meantime, you may want to look up the injury rules for that particular sport to get a better understanding of how the injuries are handled and how that will affect the outcome of your match.
Consider The Past Performance
If you’re ever unsure about whether or not to bet on tennis, then it’s probably best to walk away because you can’t make rational decisions when it comes to sports betting if you don’t have enough information. One of the things that you need to do if you’re ever going to bet on tennis is to examine the past performance of the players and teams involved. Essentially, you need to look at the history of the two sides, which is usually made up of winning streaks and (hopefully) not losing streaks. In the case of professional tennis, if you do a proper Internet search, then you should be able to find plenty of information about past performances and how those performances affect the current odds. If you’re ever going to bet on tennis, then it’s usually best to walk away because there is usually too much information available to make rational decisions, which is why we’ve stressed throughout this article the importance of backing away if you’re ever unsure.