MMMA betting is a relatively new sport when compared to soccer and basketball, so oddsmakers don’t have as much experience setting prices for the fights. This can result in inefficient betting lines.
To make the most of your MMA bets, it’s important to understand how fighters’ strengths and weaknesses impact their potential paths to victory. This can help you beat the betting lines.
Betting options
The most common MMA betting options are moneyline bets (otherwise known as match bets) on who will win a fight, over/under bets on the number of rounds a fight will last and parlays. These wagers are easy to understand and can offer a high rate of return.
Non-championship MMA fights usually last three rounds, while championship and main event fights last five. This difference in rounds is important for a customer to understand, as it can help determine whether an over/under bet on the number of rounds will be profitable. It is also a good idea to line shop for the best price on these bets. The more research you do, the better your chances of finding a great price. The odds on these bets will change over the course of a fight, as the ebb and flow of the action affects the betting lines.
Moneyline bets
Moneyline bets are one of the easiest types of wagers to make. The odds of a moneyline bet reflect the probability that a team will win and the amount that you would receive on a winning bet. If a team loses, you don’t get any money, and a tie (or push) will result in you getting your original bet back.
It is important to research a team’s matchup edges before placing a moneyline bet. For example, a good matchup edge for an NFL team may be its ability to stop pass-catching running backs or for an NBA team, how well it plays against left-handed guards. In hockey, researching how a team performs in overtime and penalty shootouts can help you find better value. Likewise, in soccer and MMA betting, a moneyline that offers a Draw option is an excellent choice.
Over/Under bets
In MMA betting, Over/Under bets are based on the number of rounds the fight will last. These bets are popular and can yield large payouts. However, you must be careful with MMA Over/Under bets because the number of rounds in a match is small and it can be hard to judge how many rounds a fight will last.
MMA judges use a variety of different factors to determine the winner of a fight, including effective striking and dominance. For example, Khabib Nurmagomedov landed 21 takedowns in his fight with Abel Trujillo, which shows that he is a dominant fighter and is effective at taking down opponents.
In addition to Over/Under bets, MMA sportsbooks offer several other types of wagers. These include method of victory bets, which allow you to place bets on whether a fight will end by submission, knockout, or judge decision.
Parlay bets
MMA betting offers a variety of wagering options. These include prop, future, and live bets. The latter are placed during a fight and allow bettors to place wagers on events happening in the live fight. The odds for these bets are dynamic and change based on the actions of fighters in the match. This makes them fun and fast to place.
Parlay bets are also popular among MMA fans, as they can yield bigger payoffs by including multiple bets on the same outcome. For example, a bet on Ferguson to win by submission or KO could result in a payout of +230. But, be aware that all of the bets on a parlay must win for the bet to pay off. This type of bet is riskier than single bets, but can increase your winnings dramatically.
In-play betting
In-play betting is a fast-paced wagering option that allows players to place bets as the fight progresses. However, it may not be suitable for new and recreational bettors who may find the frantic line movements too stressful to manage. In addition, the in-play lines are often set by sportsbooks that have less experience setting them for MMA fights.
In-play betting can be a risky activity, especially for those who struggle with gambling problems. It is recommended that players seek professional help if they are concerned about gambling problems. However, several studies have used proxy indicators of gambling harm and smaller subsets of customers, which limit their utility for assessing the risk of in-play betting. These limitations should be addressed in future research.