Football Betting: A Simple Guide
Football is the most popular sport in the world right now. There are over 3 billion fans that follow the game with great passion and care. The five major European leagues are some of the most watched annual events in the world of sports, and there are very few people who don't anticipate the World Cup with great excitement.
Of course, when a sport gets as popular as soccer is, the bookies are quick to cover it. Sportsbooks do their best to present fair odds on the latest matches, and even prepare well in advance for the big name tournaments, like the UEFA Euro Championship and the World Cup. Undoubtedly, football is the most popular sport to bet on, but where does one even start?
Finding a Safe Sportsbook
The first step in betting on any sport is finding the right bookie. In 2024, most people wager online, as online sportsbooksoffer the best premier league betting, and are safe, reliable, and easily accessible. However, it wouldn't be right to say that all bookies are created equal. Indeed, some sportsbooks operate unlicensed, and therefore can't be trusted. That is why, picking a safe bookie is of utmost importance. But, what are the factors that determine whether a sportsbook is safe?
- License: a bookie must be licensed by a notable authority, whether local or offshore.
- Fair Odds: a lot of people make the mistake of looking for good odds. This often leads to finding odds that are too good to be true. Instead, look for fair odds.
- Bonus Promos: bookies often offer bonuses, and taking advantage of them is a great place for beginners to start.
- Payment Options: credit cards are popular, however, a lot of bookies now offer different payment options, from crypto to e-wallets, and even direct bank transfers.
Understanding Odds
The second thing any punter must learn is how to read and understand the odds. Luckily, understanding odds is not as complicated as some would have you believe. In truth, it is a simple matter, and with a little help from the internet, anyone can learn how to read odds. But first, you have to know that there are three distinct variants on sports betting odds.
- Fractional: Most common in the UK and Ireland, fractional odds depict the chances of a team using fractions, where the top number is the amount you can win for each wager equal to the bottom number. For example, if the odds are 6/2, it means that for each 2 Pounds wagered, you will win 6 on a successful bet.
- Decimal: Also known as European odds, decimal odds depict the odds using decimal numbers. The higher the number, the less likely it is that the team will win the game. So, if Team A's odds are at 2.5, and Team B's are at 5.4, that means Team A is the favorite, and for each 1 Euro bet, you will win 2.5 Euros on a successful wager.
- Moneyline: Almost exclusively used in the USA, moneyline odds depict the chances using negative and positive numbers. The negative number represents the favorite, whereas the positive represents the underdog.
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