When it comes to betting on football, understanding the risks involved in different markets is crucial. This is especially true if you have a low tolerance for risk.
While betting can add an exciting dimension to the game, not all bets are created equal. Some carry higher risks than others. Let us guide you through the riskiest football betting markets and provide safer alternatives.
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5 High-Risk Football Betting Markets
Source: tribuna.com
If you head over to Betway Malawi and take a look at the football betting markets, you’ll see that some of them have a higher payout than others. The payout for a successful bet is a good indicator of the risk involved in betting on various markets. In general, the higher the payout, the less likely the outcome you bet on.
But this doesn’t mean, though, that all low-payout bets are safe. At the same time, not all high-paying bets are risky – identifying the so-called “value bets” is a completely different matter, though. We’ll cover that in another guide. For now, here are some of the riskiest betting options that you should avoid if your risk tolerance is low:
1. Correct Score Betting
Correct score betting is where you predict the exact final score of a match. It’s one of the riskiest bets in football due to the unpredictable nature of the game. Factors like the weather, player form, or a sudden tactical change can change the course of a match. Making accurate predictions about the correct score is very challenging.
2. First/Last/Anytime Goalscorer
Betting on the first, last, or anytime goalscorer means predicting which player will score first, last, or at any point during the match. While it may seem straightforward, player performance can be unpredictable. Injuries, substitutions, or simply an off day can all impact a player’s ability to score, making these bets quite risky.
3. Accumulator Bets
Source: insideworldfootball.com
Accumulator bets combine multiple selections into one wager. To win, all your picks must be correct. The more selections you add, the higher the potential payout, but the risk increases exponentially. One wrong prediction and the entire bet is lost.
Accumulators are especially tricky because bookmakers often actively encourage placing them. Many bookies will offer increasing bonus payouts for accumulators. The more of them you choose, the higher your bonus, often amounting to several hundred percent on top of what it would normally pay.
If you can’t resist the temptation of placing a long accumulator bet, though, we recommend that you keep your bet small. This way, if things go wrong, your losses will be limited – and if you win, you’ll still get a hefty payout.
4. Half-Time/Full-Time Results
This market involves predicting the result at both half-time and full-time. It’s challenging because football is a game of two halves, and a lot can change during the break. A team leading at half-time might lose their advantage by full-time, making this a risky bet.
5. In-Play Betting Markets
In-play or live betting involves placing bets on matches as they happen. While it adds to the excitement, it requires quick decision-making and often leads to impulse bets. The odds can change rapidly, making it a high-risk option.
3 Low-Risk Alternatives
Source: brazilian.report
However hard you may try to limit the risk involved in your betting activity, there’s no way to eliminate it completely. But you can always go with markets that are easier to predict. The betting options below are generally considered low-risk. Use them to feel the thrill of betting on football while still keeping your risk-taking at a tolerable level.
1. Match Result (Win/Draw/Lose or 1X2)
A more predictable and lower-risk option is betting on the overall match result (1X2). Analyzing team form, head-to-head records, and current player conditions can give you a better idea of the likely outcome.
Double chance bets cover two of the three possible outcomes in a match (win, lose, or draw). It’s a variation on match result bets that reduces the risk further. For example, you could bet on a team to either win or draw or the other team to do so, or even for either of the teams to win, excluding a draw. This reduces risk as you have two chances to win your bet.
Draw No Bet is another variant of the match result bet. Here, you can bet almost normally on the winner of the match. If there’s a draw, in turn, your bet is returned to you.
2. Over/Under Goals
This bet focuses on predicting whether the total number of goals scored will be over or under a certain number. This market is less risky as you don’t need to predict the exact score or the winner of the match. The previous records of the teams playing can provide you with insights on what to expect.
3. Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
Source: medium.com
In this market, you bet on whether both teams will score during the match. Looking at the offensive and defensive records of the teams can offer insight into their performance. This makes the BTTS bet a safer choice than predicting exact scores or individual goal scorers.
The BTTS bet has a very popular variant: Both Teams to Score or Over 2.5 goals. This is exactly what it sounds like: you bet on both teams to score or if not, for at least 3 total goals scored in the match. This makes this bet a pretty safe one, a good choice for most bettors.
Conclusion
For those with low risk tolerance, navigating the world of football betting can be daunting. Betting on the correct score or the first goalscorer bets can be exciting, but come with significant risk. Safer alternatives like match result, double chance, and BTTS provide a more secure way to enjoy betting without the high stakes. But this is what makes betting on sports an exciting and intriguing hobby: finding a balance between risk and reward.
Placing a low-risk bet is exciting and safer but it comes with limited payouts. On the other hand, a high-risk bet can be a more thrilling choice with a higher possible reward but it also comes with high risk involved. Luckily, there are more than enough options in football betting to cater to all types of bettors.
Always remember to research thoroughly and bet responsibly. Remember, no bet is without risk, but understanding these markets can help you make more informed decisions.
