When it comes to betting on sports, there are many betting options to choose from such as: sportsbooks, offshore betting, fixed odds betting, and 1×2 odds. Each option has its perks but also has some restrictions, which if you aren’t aware of, can make you lose money. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at each of these odds options and what they mean.
1X2 Odds
You may be familiar with 1×2 odds if you’ve ever watched professional sports, such as football or basketball. These odds are often found at bookmakers or in the “parlay” section of newspapers, and they represent the chance of either of two events (the first and second outcomes) occurring. Examples of 1×2 odds are:
- American football – Rams (+2) vs. Seahawks
- Basketball – Heat (+2) vs. Thunder
- Baseball – Orioles (+2) vs. Phillies
- Ice hockey – Predators (+2) vs. Sharks
As the name suggests, 1×2 odds means that if you wager €100 on a Rams – Seahawks spread, you will win €100 if the Rams win and you lose €100 if the Seahawks win. In other words, you will win €50, and your initial €100 will be returned (plus €50). So, generally speaking, you will win about half the bet and the other half will be returned to you. This is the most popular type of wagering in sports because it’s extremely simple to understand and it gives the overall game a 50/50 shot of winning or losing (which in most cases is what you want from a wagering standpoint). If you’re looking for an edge in fantasy sports or just want to have some fun with the betting odds, 1×2 odds are the perfect choice. You may also use a service like OddsPortal.com to get free picks for popular games in order to gain an edge in your betting. Additionally, 1×2 odds are occasionally used in horse racing and some other sports when there is an event that is considered a push-or-pull situation. For example, you may see “Tampa Bay-New York” late in the 3rd quarter of a Greyhound football game because the game is so close that it could go either way. Also, sometimes a team will use 1×2 odds in an effort to get more people to back them because they know that many people will be inclined to wager on the home team.
However, just because a team uses 1×2 odds doesn’t mean that you will automatically lose money if that’s the case. For example, if the Rams were actually called the “Wolverines” and played in the mountains of Canada, then you would actually WIN money if the Seahawks were the home team. This is because the conditions of the game would change and you would have a better chance at actually winning the game due to the remoteness of the location. It’s all about the line, or in this case, the spread, and the weather conditions in the location of the game. If you’re familiar with college basketball odds, they work similarly where the home team is favored by 2 or more points. This is to account for differences in the quality of the competition and the remoteness of the location, as mentioned previously. In short, the home team is usually favored, but this isn’t always the case. If you’re looking for an edge in online sportsbooks, you may want to avoid betting on the home team altogether unless the payout for winning the bet is significant enough to make it worth your while. In this case, you would have to consult the online casino or bookmaker regarding the specifics of this game.
Sportsbook
Many sportsbooks, also known as bookmakers or upon whose platforms you may bet, offer odds on a wide range of sporting events, including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. Using a sportsbook is generally safe and easy to do, especially if you’re a newbie, and it has several distinct advantages. First and foremost, sportsbooks allow you to wager on multiple games at once, which is beneficial if you’re a fan of more than one sport. This way, you can track the odds of several games simultaneously, which is very convenient. It’s also good because you can use their software to help make automated bets, which is much easier than trying to do so manually. Some people even like the fact that they can get all the action on one page, which makes it simple to stay in touch with the big games as they develop.
The downside to using sports books is that it requires you to put down a deposit, which is at least partially guaranteed. This means that in case you lose money, at least some of it will be refunded to you. This is generally viewed as a risk, especially by newbies, since it means you’ll have to risk losing more money than you actually invested, but it’s something to consider if you’re looking for a safer option. Additionally, some people point out that the risk of relying on a third party is always present, especially if they go out of business or suspend operations for any reason. However, since this is generally a relatively low-risk option for most people, it’s still fairly common to see it mentioned in relation to betting on sports.
Offshore Betting
Offshore betting (sometimes referred to as offshore poker, offshore sports, or offshore gaming) allows you to wager on sporting events from the comfort of your home. This is generally considered to be a safe and reliable option for people who love to bet but don’t want to risk losing their own money. There are several reputable offshore betting websites that offer a variety of betting options, including:
- American football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Snooker
You don’t need to have an account to use offshore betting, but you will have to make sure that you’re physically located within one of the countries where online gambling is legal. Additionally, you will have to make sure that you’re not breaking any laws in relation to gambling or keeping records of same, which some countries require. However, despite the fact that it’s widely available and convenient to use, offshore betting has a couple of drawbacks. First, you can’t wager on NHL hockey due to the fact that it’s not yet legal in most parts of the world. Second, since it’s not physically located in your own country, all your winnings are generally taxed, meaning you’ll have to pay higher fees in order to keep what you win. This can be avoided if you use an online gambling service that is based in a country where tax rates are low, or if you are legal and residing in a country where tax rates are low, you can use a service like BetVictor to legally and conveniently wager on sporting events. Third, while it’s very easy to use offshore betting, it’s also not very easy to understand all the lingo. If you’re looking for an edge in your sports betting, this may not be the best option for you since it requires more research and learning than simply using traditional bookmakers.
Fixed Odds Betting
Fixed odds betting, sometimes referred to as “Fixed Odds Tote” or “Fixed Betting”, is another option that provides you with a variety of betting odds for major sporting events. Examples of fixed odds betting are:
- American football – Chiefs vs. Broncos
- Baseball – Athletics vs. Padres
- Basketball – Rockets vs. Warriors
- Hockey – Blues vs. Blackhawks
- Tennis – Williams Sisters vs. Maureen McInnes
With this option you don’t need to be located in an area where online gambling is legal, but you do need to be located in an area where land-based casinos are permitted. Additionally, you will need to make sure that you’re not violating any gambling laws in the country you are located in. Despite these requirements, fixed odds betting has several advantages. First, if you’re located in an area where casinos are permitted, you can enjoy all the perks that come with being a regular patron, including:
- Access to casino games
- Access to Poker
- Access to Gaming tables
- High-limit slots
- And more…