Bets come in all shapes and sizes and for a variety of reasons. Some people like the thrill of seeing a number on the screen and hoping it turns out to be right. Others may feel a need to prove a point by backing a certain team or player they believe in. The meaning of a negative bet can vary from case to case depending on the situation and how the bet is structured. It’s important to understand the differences in order to get the most out of your wagers both online and offline.
The Appeal Of A Negative Bet
If you’ve ever watched a football game or other sporting event on television, you may have seen a large crowd of people around the ‘book’ or ‘match’ as they call it in the UK. These are the people who bet on the game, backing one side or the other, with the expectation of seeing their chosen team win. As with any other type of bet, there is a certain thrill to be had from backing the winning side and being able to boast about it to your mates. The problem is that not all bets are created equal, and backing a team that is already ahead can be a poor idea. Even if you think your team will win, you may be better off waiting for the outcome and avoiding some of the pitfalls that come with negative betting.
The main pitfall associated with negative betting is, in fact, the very thing that makes it so attractive. As already mentioned, some people like the thrill of getting their bet right while others may feel the need to prove a point. When someone places a bet they expect to lose, they’re almost certainly going to feel deflated afterward, particularly if they put their own money on the line. As a result, they may be more tempted to throw a tantrum and argue with the bookies, believing that their team is clearly going to lose. This is something that may end up damaging your odds of winning in the long run. If the bookmaker’s reputation is anything to go by, they’re probably going to give your side (the loser in this situation) their official disclaimer, offering their sincerest apologies and promising to make it up to you somehow. This is an example of why it’s unwise to bet against the house. Once they’ve gotten rid of you as a customer, there’s not much they can do to make it up to you other than giving you what you asked for in the first place.
Of course, you could keep on betting until you land on a winning streak, but that would be rather foolish of you, wouldn’t it? There’s always the possibility that the law could step in and shut down the establishment that is taking your money, but you’re probably safer casting your lot with a known entity than trying to do business with an anonymous bookmaker. Once again, betting doesn’t have to be negative in nature, but there are certainly situations when it makes sense to go that route. For instance, if you’re trying to make a point with somebody or if you’re just looking for a way to release some frustration, backing the underdogs can be a good idea.
Types Of Negatives
Every now and then, you’ll see a bet that is labeled as a ‘minus’ bet. These are the types of bets where you expect the opposite of what you want to happen, but you’re still going to gamble on the outcome. Examples of these types of bets would be placing a bet on a favorite horse that you know is going to lose, or placing a bet on a team that you feel is not worthy of your support. You may put your own money on the line, as with any other type of bet, but you’re going to be rooting for the opposite outcome. There is still a thrill to be had from backing a team or horse that you believe in, even if that team or horse is going to lose, and it can be a good way to find out if they deserve your support or opposition without risking too much of your own money.
The most frequent cause for a minus bet is a pick against the spread. These types of bets are usually placed by people who want to prove something, whether it be that their team is better than the one opposing them, that a certain player is going to outperform the spread, or even that a certain horse is going to win. If you look at the history books, you’ll see that many sporting events ended in a draw, which means that both teams scored the same number of points. With a spread bet, you’re essentially placing a wager that the total number of points won by one team will be greater than the total number of points won by the other. For example, in an NCAA basketball game where the spread is 2.5, you’re backing the team that is projected to score more points to win (assuming both teams are evenly matched).
Whether you win or lose, betting can be fun, exciting, and (most importantly) rewarding. Just make sure to approach it with a healthy dose of common sense and don’t do anything that could potentially damage your chances of winning in the long run. That’s the only way to ensure you’re having fun and staying in the game.