Matched betting is a concept that could potentially revolutionise the way people think about online betting. Essentially, it’s a way of placing bets on the same football match, with the odds being shared between two or more people. The concept is hugely popular in Europe, with several leading bookmakers offering products specifically designed for matched betting. But what is it, actually? Let’s take a closer look.
How Does It Work?
Traditional online betting is, generally, a one-to-one proposition. If you want to place a bet on a football match, you’ll either have to sit at home and place your bet yourself, or go to a bookmaker and place your bet there. The latter is where most people end up. But that’s not ideal. Matched betting allows you to join together with other individuals who share your interest in placing bets on a certain number of outcomes in a football match. By doing so, you effectively cut out the middleman, and get the same price as if you’d placed your bet yourself.
To give you a clearer idea of how this works, let’s examine an example. Imagine you’re a football fan, and you see a match between Arsenal and Liverpool. Both teams are interested in winning, so both put down their prices. You think that Liverpool is the superior side, so you place a £10 wager on that outcome. Your friend, Jack, also a football fan, sees the game, realises that you’ve placed a bet on a certain outcome, and decides to join you in betting on that outcome. Using your account, he places a £5 wager on the opposite outcome, hoping that Arsenal will pull off an upset and beat Liverpool. As a result of your matching bet, you both win – albeit by a whisker!
Matched betting doesn’t just relate to football, either. You could apply the same concept to any sport where the outcomes are determined by multiple factors, such as golf, tennis, and boxing. The principle is the same: cut out the middleman and share the profit with your partner.
The Benefits Of Matched Betting
Aside from the obvious simplicity of having your bets matched for you, there are other benefits to be had from participating in matched betting. First of all, it’s a great way to develop relationship with other passionate sports fans. The fact that you’re working together to beat the odds means that you’re more likely to have common interests and activities outside of sports. Second, having a partner to share your interests and experience with is invaluable. By taking the redundancy out of sports betting, you can ensure that both of you are fully engaged in the activity, and make the most of your time together. Third, it’s a great way to make money. As we’ve established, the odds are generally at a premium in traditional betting, meaning that you’re forced to risk more in order to make a profit. But, with matched betting, you’re combining your resources and knowledge to ensure that you get the best possible odds, and that means you’re able to minimise your risks and make bigger profits. Finally, it’s a great way to get active. By involving yourself in a high-energy sport, such as football, you’re able to work out and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The benefits of regular exercise cannot be overstated. It’s all down to probability and maths, but it’s a lesson that’s as valuable in life as it is in sports.
Evolving Trends In Online Betting
While the concept behind matched betting has been around for a while, and several companies have produced platforms specifically for it, it’s only been in the past year or so that it has really started to take off. This can be mainly attributed to the fact that, traditionally, most people placed their bets on individual matches, seeing them as one-off events, and little thought was given to the overall shape of the season. But, with the rise of social media, and the influence of celebrity and sports fans, this is no longer the case. Now, people are more aware that results from one game can have a significant impact on their teams’ chances of securing a place in the next round. As a result, they are far more likely to monitor the results of upcoming games, and place bets on this basis. This newfound interest in the little things in life leads to a greater appreciation of the smaller games, which can lead to more profitable matches down the line. In addition, people are also learning that it’s not only results that matter – tactics and strategy can also make a massive difference in the outcome of a game. The theory behind this is team sports: the better your strategy, the more likely you are to secure a win. So, while the concept behind matched betting is rather simple, the results can be extremely lucrative. Which, of course, is what attracts sports fans, and encourages more and more people to get involved.