It’s been a while since I have been to the bookmakers, but I remember feeling slightly confused when trying to make a simple football bet. Back in October 2017, the favourite club Betfair released an in-depth guide to international football betting, where they explain the intricacies of sporting wagers, and also list the top 10 books for a complete newcomer to the sport. One of the books that jumped out at me was 19/10 – The Formula For Successful Football Betting by John Anderson. And, as luck would have it, I was able to get my hands on a copy of the book, and have been diligently poring over its contents ever since.
Why Is 19/10 Such a Popular Betting Option?
While traditionalists may still prefer to wager on the outcome of sporting events with odds compiled by bookmakers years ago, more and more people are looking for the opportunity to get involved in the exciting world of sports betting. As the old adage goes, you can’t beat the excitement of betting on a sporting event. And thanks to the internet, you can get all the information you need from wherever you are, whenever you need it. This is particularly attractive to people new to betting, as it means they don’t have to depend on seeing a bookie in person to place a bet. They can simply log on to their favorite online sportsbook and make their wagers.
If you are looking for a way to get started in betting, or just need some help understanding a particular bet or wager, then you may want to examine some of the other books in the Anderson’s “Betting” series. However, if you are looking for step-by-step instructions on how to place a wager or what specific odds to back, then you should consider 19/10 – The Formula For Successful Football Betting.
What Does 19/10 Mean In Sports Betting?
When you place a wager or lay an event, the odds you are assigned will depend on a number of factors, mainly the perceived probability of an event happening. This is also known as the vigorish (vigorous + interest).
For example, let’s say you are backing Manchester United to beat Liverpool at football. United are currently 2.0 to 1.0 to win, while Liverpool are 5.0 to 1.0 to win. Your bet would look like this – UA19/10 (United versus Liverpool, 19th October 2017).
If you were placing a bet on Manchester United to win the Premier League, then the odds would be 6.0 to 1.0. In general, the longer the odds, the more vigorish (interest) the bookmakers are charging you for the wager. However, there are times when the reverse is true – i.e., long odds can actually mean you are getting a better deal).
How Does Vigorish Work?
Simply put, vigorish is the additional amount of money you have to pay as a bookmaker because they are charging you a higher rate due to your credit card being charged or your bank account being limited. In general, the longer the odds, the bigger the vigorish. The following two scenarios are examples of how vigorish may affect your betting experience –
- Odds of 3.0 or more – Smaller books may not display this option, or may display it at a reduced rate. In some instances, you may find odds of 4.0 or more
- Odds of 6.0 or more – Bigger books may not display this option, or may display it at a reduced rate. In some instances, you may find odds of 7.0 or more
As a general rule of thumb, you want to look for situations where you are getting the best possible odds, as this will improve your overall betting experience. Sometimes, this just means placing a small wager on a long-shot option, but other times it can be a matter of finding the right bookmaker and sportsbook for your needs.
How Can I Minimize The Vigorish?
While getting the best possible odds is always a good idea, you should also be doing your best to keep the vigorish as low as possible. Fortunately for us, John Anderson provides some pretty decent tips on how to do this in his book.
He starts by advising you to use a credit card that does not impose any foreign transaction fees – otherwise known as a zero-percent credit card. He also suggests you spread your bets as much as possible, so that while you are still paying the high rate, you are not doing so for an extended period of time. This way, your betting experience will not be affected as much by the vigorish. And last but not least, he advises you to stay away from betting against professional or collegiate sports teams, as you will usually lose money on these types of wagers. This is because even if you do not have to pay the vigorish for these types of bets, you will almost certainly lose money due to the volatility of the odds. Professional sports teams are usually less likely to get injured, so this makes their games more predictable. In addition, most college sports fans are not very affluent, so this reduces the amount of money wagered on these teams. Keep all this in mind, and you will be well on your way to a more pleasant and profitable betting experience.
What Are Some Commonly Asked Questions About Betting?
If you are new to betting, then you may have a lot of questions, or perhaps even a lot of misgivings. Where should I wager? What should I wager on? How much should I bet? How often should I bet? What is vigorish? How can I minimize the vigorish? Are professional sports fans really that much more affluent than college students? Etc. etc. etc.
These are all excellent questions, and hopefully, this article will help answer some of them. However, if you want to find out more, then you should consult the experts – namely, the people at the bookmakers you are using. Chances are, these businesses also have websites, so you can always find manuals there, as well.
It’s also important to note that different countries have different laws regarding sports betting. Be sure to check the local laws before getting involved in any type of wagering activity. In addition, some countries may require you to be over a certain age to get involved in wagering activities. If you are not sure how things work in your country, then it’s a good idea to contact an attorney or a legal representative before getting started.