Did you know that the World Cup in Qatar so far has made over $7 billion?
There’s a lot of money to be made when FIFA’s in town, and there’s still a chance to get yours. Sports betting at the FIFA World Cup is an excellent chance to rake in some serious cash. But if you’ve never put down a wager for sports, the concept might seem frightening.
Betting isn’t as complicated as it seems. With a solid understanding of betting odds and probability, you should do just fine.
Keep reading for all the betting tips you need to cash in big at this year’s World Cup.
Betting Odds at the FIFA World Cup
Generally speaking, you can bet on one of the following:
- The favorite: the team with the highest likelihood of winning
- The underdog: the team with the least likelihood of winning
Favorites have a (-) next to their name, while underdogs have a (+) next to their names. You risk the most when you bet on an underdog–but you will get the highest payout if you win. Favorites will still pay out a fair amount but require a fairly steep initial wager.
Let’s discuss the most common types of bets you can make.
Money Line
A money line is simply betting on who will win, and who will lose. If the match results in a draw, then all bettors receive their money back.
Usually, you put down a wager for the minimum amount. Then if you win, you get that money back plus the profit. If the odds are -110, then you pay $110 and get $100 in return.
Totals
Totals mean betting on whether teams will be over or under a certain amount of points. This is a great way to make money if you think both teams will score low or high.
The sportsbook provider will give the threshold. The “overs” who bet for a match ending in high points will win if they’re over the amount. The “unders” will win if they were under the amount.
Prop Bets
These are bets about singular events that happen during the game. They can be for a certain player to get the first goal, or to get a certain amount of ball steals. These bets do have high juice (the cut your bet provider takes) but they expand your options.
Live Betting
Live betting refers to wagers that you put down as the game changes. For example, the enemy team scores, putting them a point ahead. That increases their odds against the competitor, meaning you could earn a higher payout.
Live betting is a ton of fun and keeps you highly invested in the game. However, this also has high juice and is much riskier overall.
Researching Your Bets
This one is up to you. Everyone has their philosophy on how to determine who will win a given game.
Some people use complicated mathematics and statistics to prove who the likely winner is. Others will just go off a feeling. Here are a few general betting tips to get you started on your research:
- Make use of statistics websites that run the numbers for you
- Join betting communities online to discuss with others
- Take the advice of seasoned bettors
- Spend some time researching individual player stats as well as team stats
Find a good sportsbook that helps you make bets with ease. You can find a sportsbook promo code to get some excellent beginner’s deals.
Sports Betting Tips and Tricks
There are a few timeless pieces of advice that any bettor should keep in mind before putting down wagers. Remember, nothing is set in stone with betting. Odds can change at the drop of a hat, and rely on a lot of factors.
Don’t Discount Parlays
Parlays are when you make multiple wagers. Those wagers must all pan out for you to cash in. If just one of the bets doesn’t pull through, then you lose the whole bet.
The World Cup often pits very different teams against each other. Some of the match-ups can be very one-sided with teams that are a known quantity. Take advantage of games where there’s clear evidence of who will win.
Don’t Put Too Much Stake in History
It’s easy to see top teams like Spain, Argentina, and Brazil, and assume they’ll win. They may continue to reach the World Cup year after year. Even finalists prove to be an enticing bet to make.
As we’ve said, betting is all about blowing your expectations out of the water. Don’t cling too much too common wisdom. Know there is always a chance for upheaval.
Stay Alert for Hidden Gems
Upsets are likely to happen, even at a late stage like the World Cup. Obviously, don’t bet against an established team with a long winning track record. But keep an eye out for underdogs who might flip everything on its head.
For example, Colombia went on to win the 2014 championships in a way no one could have predicted. Denmark survived long enough to make the semi-finals just last year.
After all, there’s no fun if you don’t step out of your comfort zone!
Dos and Donts When Betting for the FIFA World Cup
No list is complete without some do’s and don’ts. If you’ve made these mistakes before, don’t worry. We’re here to make sure your betting experience is as painless as possible.
Do:
- Wait for the lineups before you cast bets: you don’t want to bet on a team if its star player is injured
- Be judicious in later rounds: emotions get high the closer things get to the championship, so be cautious like the teams you’re rooting for
- Give underdogs a shot: the unexpected is part of the betting experience, so put some money down on underdogs
Don’t:
- Use huge parlays: keep parlays small, going for at most 5 individual bets at a time
- Let emotions cloud your judgment: it goes without saying, but take the time to think and cool down before committing to any big wagers
- Bet for every game: you don’t have infinite money, so save it for the big matches you care most about
Bet on the World Cup
So what are you waiting for? The FIFA World Cup is an excellent time to flex your betting muscles. Just know which bets have the best odds for you, and do your research ahead of time.
Continue reading our blog for more betting tips.