Betting on sports has become a popular pastime, and each sport has its own unique types of bets. You may have noticed how betting styles vary depending on the game. Some betting types are simple and straightforward, while others are a bit more complex. Here, we’ll walk you through the most popular bet types for different sports. Understanding these can help you enjoy the thrill of betting even more.
Football
Football, the most widely followed sport globally, offers a wide range of betting options. You can engage with the beautiful game in multiple ways when placing bets. Some are simple, while others are for more experienced bettors.
Match Result (1X2)
The most common football bet is the match result, often called 1X2. This is where you predict the outcome of the match: home win (1), draw (X), or away win (2). It’s a straightforward bet that brings immense excitement. You only need to pick one of three outcomes.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
Here, you’re betting on whether both teams will score at least one goal during the match. It doesn’t matter who wins or what the final score is; you just need both teams to find the back of the net. If you think both teams have strong attackers and weak defenders, this could be a smart choice.
Over/Under Goals
In this bet, you simply predict whether the total number of goals in the game will be over or under a specific number, and this is usually set at 2.5 goals. This bet is ideal if you’re unsure who will win but know how aggressive or defensive both teams are.
Correct Score
If you like a challenge, you might enjoy betting on the correct score. You’ll need to predict the exact final score of the match. This type of bet offers high payouts, but it’s tough to get right.
Ice Hockey
Ice hockey fans joke that betting on the puck line is riskier than skating without a helmet, but the fast-paced nature of the sport translates into exhilarating betting opportunities.
Puck Line (Handicap)
The puck line is a form of handicap betting specific to ice hockey. You’ll either give one team a 1.5 goal advantage or a 1.5 goal disadvantage. This means that if you back a team at -1.5, they’ll need to win by at least two goals for your bet to come through. On the other hand, if you back them at +1.5, they can lose by one goal, and you’ll still win the bet.
This bet type makes games exciting, particularly when one team is heavily favoured.
Total Goals (Over/Under)
Like in football, ice hockey features the Over/Under market as a popular bet type. Here, the bookmaker sets a line for the total number of goals, and you bet on whether the actual total exceeds or falls short of that number. Ice hockey can often be unpredictable in terms of scoring, so this bet adds another layer of fun.
Period Betting
Instead of betting on the full game, you can break your betting down into different periods. Ice hockey is split into three periods, and this type of bet allows you to bet on the outcome of each one. You could bet on which team will win a specific period or how many goals will be scored during it, for example.
Basketball
Basketball is another popular sport for betting, with its high scoring and rapid pace. You’ve got plenty of options when placing your bets in this game.
Point Spread
In basketball, point spread betting is very common. The bookmaker gives one team a handicap, such as +5 or -5 points, and you’re betting on whether the team will cover that spread. If you bet on a team at -5, they need to win by more than five points for you to win the bet. If you bet on the team at +5, they can lose by less than five, and you’ll still win.
Total Points (Over/Under)
As with the other sports outlined in this article, the Over/Under market is also a popular option in basketball. Here, you’re betting on the total number of points scored in the game. It doesn’t matter which team wins; you’re simply predicting whether the total points will be over or under a set number. This bet is ideal for games where you expect lots of scoring but aren’t sure who will come out on top.
Player Props
Basketball has plenty of player-specific bets, known as prop bets. For example, you might bet on how many points a certain player will score or how many assists they’ll make. These bets are excellent if you follow specific players closely and understand their strengths.
Tennis
Tennis offers some unique betting options due to its scoring system and individual nature. While it’s not as team orientated as football or basketball, it still provides plenty of thrills.
Match Winner
The most basic tennis bet is simply picking who will win the match. This is a straightforward bet that works well for both beginners and experienced bettors alike. Tennis matches can be unpredictable, so there’s always room for a surprise upset.
Set Betting
You can also bet on the number of sets won by each player. For example, in a best-of-three match, you could bet on a player to win 2-0 or 2-1. It adds an extra layer of complexity to the experience, especially in matches where the players are closely matched in skill.
Total Games (Over/Under)
This bet works much like the Over/Under market in other sports, but instead of goals or points, you’re betting on the total number of games played. If you expect a close match, betting on more games could be a smart choice.
Bet Smart
As you can see, each sport has its own set of popular betting types in the same way that the roulette and blackjack games at top casinos like Jumba Bet do. When you understand the bets that most people are opting for, it can provide an easy way into a sport you’ve never wagered on before. Choose wisely and enjoy the thrill!
