The short answer is because it’s not real. At least not yet. All the matches and outcome are pre-determined, so you can’t really be affected by the game’s results. You can, however, be influenced by the quality of the playing, and that’s what makes football interesting to wager on. It’s not that the sporting world isn’t heading towards some kind of virtual reality. It’s just that the technology isn’t quite there yet. If it were, we’d be able to enjoy football as it really is meant to be enjoyed, rather than having to settle for a computer generated alternative.
The Physics Behind It All
The reason why football doesn’t generate enough interest for betting purposes is because of a fundamental principle of physics called the second law of thermodynamics. Simply put, it means that all things in nature are moving towards disorganization and chaos. The same goes for the universe as a whole and, as such, there’s nowhere for the little energy you put in betting to go but down.
Consider this. Each week, hundreds of matches are played around the world. On average, there are 34 goals scored per match. If you were able to forecast the goals well enough to make successful wagers, you’d be making huge amounts of money. Unfortunately, the odds of correctly predicting the outcomes of future sporting events is, to put it mildly, not something that can be easily accomplished. In any case, the outcome of a football match is, by its very nature, chaotic and hence unpredictable.
The Psychology Behind It All
The reason why many sports don’t lend themselves to betting is because of something called the Yerkes-Dodson law. Named after two American psychologists who discovered it, this law means that, when participants are given the choice between winning or losing money, most people will opt for the less financially rewarding option.
It’s easy to see how this might happen. If you place a big wager on the favorite in a football match, you’re essentially telling the world that they are inferior to the other options available. While this might seem like a great idea at first, in reality it can be very destructive. After all, if you think that your chosen team is going to lose, why not just sit back and watch the fun? Better to stick with a risky but potentially rewarding option than to ruin your chances of winning big by taking the safe route. This kind of thinking can effectively reduce your sports betting experience to that of a digital mugging.
The Mathematics Behind It All
What about all those mathematical formulas that purportedly predict the results of sporting events? Believe it or not, those formulas only work in theory. In practice, they’re often so complex that they’re virtually useless. Let’s take the upcoming World Cup in football as an example. It’s coming up in four months, which means that the odds of correctly predicting the winner using those kind of formulas will be 1 in 4. That’s not very good, is it?
If you actually want to bet on the World Cup, the smartest thing to do would be to bite the bullet and bet on one of the teams you’ve chosen for the pleasure of trying something new. Sure, it might be a steep learning curve, but at least you’ll have a change to win some money. One of the best things about sports betting is that, while the mathematics and science behind it are complicated, the practical application is quite simple. If you want to make money, all you need to do is bet on the favorites.
Final Takeaway
The above article briefly discussed some of the challenges that arise when trying to bet on football. Even if you’re a diehard sports fan and were looking for ways to indulge your love, you might not want to consider putting your hard-earned money on football. That’s not to say that it’s definitely not for you- it’s just that the odds might not be in your favor. On the other hand, if you’re a student of mathematics or a fan of science-fiction, you might find that betting on football is a thrill that you shouldn’t miss out on. After all, money can’t change the outcome of a game that’s already been played, so there’s no real harm in trying. As they say, the best way to enjoy football is by participating in it. However, if you find that watching games has made you sick to your stomach, maybe it’s not the sport for you. Ultimately, it’s up to you. What do you think? Is football a sport you’ll enjoy participating in or watching? Why not give it a try and see if your feelings change? You might just find that it’s the best thing that you’ve ever done. Who knows? You might even choose a team you enjoy rooting for and end up having a blast. All profits from sports betting go to charity, by the way- just in case you’re wondering.