Soccer betting is a different animal than traditional sports wagering. It requires more research time and number crunching to make shrewd picks. Many bettors find it intellectually stimulating and a fun way to test their knowledge of the game against oddsmakers.
Over/Under bets in soccer work much like they do in other sports, but with a few twists. For instance, totals are usually listed in increments of.25 goals.
Odds
Odds in soccer bets reflect the likelihood of a particular event occurring during a match. Traders and odds compilers analyze vast amounts of data to determine these probabilities. They also take into account other factors, such as team form and injury status.
Soccer odds are expressed in decimal and fractional form. Decimal odds represent the potential profit you could earn for a $1 stake, while fractional odds display the total return on your investment. They are based on the odds that would be available at a sportsbook and include a margin, known as juice, that is taken by the bookmaker.
Aside from the standard 1×2 odds for home and away wins, you can also place bets on the total of goals scored in a game. These odds can be set at any number, but a popular option is 2.5 goals.
Over/Under bets
Soccer Over/Under bets involve placing a wager on whether the total number of goals scored in a game will exceed or fall short of a predetermined amount set by oddsmakers. This type of betting is similar to point spreads or handicap betting in other sports, but with a few key differences.
One of the most important things to remember when betting on Over/Unders is that OT and PK goals are not counted in the final score. Moreover, you should always shop around for the best betting numbers when betting on Over/Unders in soccer games. This is especially true for live betting, which allows punters to place bets on the game as it’s taking place. This is a great way to maximize your profits and minimize your risk.
Moneyline bets
A moneyline bet in soccer is a wager on one team to win the game. It is similar to betting against the spread in other sports, but it is different in that it can result in a tie. This makes it more attractive for people who want to bet on the winner of a match.
Understanding the odds and probabilities in soccer betting is critical to making profitable wagers. This knowledge allows bettors to identify situations where bookmakers misprice events, which is known as value betting. This is accomplished by identifying discrepancies between your own assessment of the probability of an event occurring and the odds offered by the bookmakers. In addition to moneyline bets, soccer players can also place prop bets on various statistics, such as corners and shots taken.
Parlay bets
A parlay bet is one of the most exciting ways to place a wager on soccer. It involves placing two or more wagers on correlated outcomes, and the payout can be very high. However, it is important to note that losing just one of the bets will cancel the entire bet.
Some sportsbooks offer multiple bet options on soccer, including over/unders and moneyline bets. In addition, some of them have a “soccer props” tab that displays the available betting markets for each game. SugarHouse, for example, offers a superb soccer props selection and has competitive odds. Also, the site is licensed in a number of states and has an easy way to display state certifications for players’ safety and security.
Layoffs
Layoffs in sports betting are a common practice for bookmakers to balance their books and minimize their risk. They can also help them manage a sudden surge of action on one side of a wager, or in cases where the odds are extremely imbalanced between different bookmakers.
This is similar to sports betting arbitrage, which involves placing bets with multiple bookmakers and exploiting differences in odds. However, layoffs can have a negative impact on a bookmaker’s reputation.
The layoffs at Sports Illustrated came as a surprise, as the company had posted strong financial results in recent quarters. The company’s revenue and profit both increased by 20%, and it had entered into data partnerships with two major sports leagues. The company’s decision to cut jobs was a blow to employees and investors alike.