Soccer betting primer

Soccer is a game with a huge fan following and if your favourite team wins, it could mean that not only the players but you yourself are flush with funds. It lends itself beautifully to gambling. Betting on soccer is now almost universal among football fans.

Choose from a wide spectrum of soccer betting options

It’s true that it is usually only the top soccer names that make it to the League final, but don’t be put off by the huge odds attached to betting on the giants like Man U, Liverpool and Chelsea Arsenal. There is a whole variety of betting options to choose from. You only have to ask your bookmaker. And the best thing is, if you happen to pick a winner on these smaller bets, you are likely to be getting much better returns on your investment than if you had put big money on the biggies. Select a bookmaker that offers a solid bonus, 100% welcome bonus is very normal.

Handicap soccer bets

For small wagers, handicap bets are a good option. You get them at the League level as well as the top scorer level. Under this system, each team is allotted a certain number of points at the start, on the basis of how high on the list they are expected to reach. By this yardstick, the team which is the favourite to win isn’t given a ‘points start’ at all. This means that in theory, all start equal, because the extra handicap points cover the poorer teams and bring them up to the level of the giants on paper. When the season is over, the team with the most points, accumulated and starting points combined, is declared the winner. The system is the same for betting on the top scorer across soccer matches. There are variations like who you think will be either the top scorer of the soccer season or for the team.

Two-way soccer betting

Another choice is to bet on your player or team finishing within a certain number of positions. These are essentially two bets – your choice will win, or be placed within a certain number of positions behind the winner. Double your stake, but don’t forget that if you lose on the winner angle but get it right as to the positions, the odds will be reduced.

Individual soccer matches

You can also bet on the outcomes of individual matches and the players’ performances in each. Choose from betting on the outright winner, the first one to score a goal, the score at the end of play and the number of goals cored by the two teams combined. The scorecast and the half time/full time bets are also well favored by punters. The first means you will have to pick the player who you think will draw first blood and also predict the final score of the match. As the name implies, the second means you will be wagering on your choice of team which will be ahead at both half and full time.

Soccer betting tip: Read the fine print

While betting on individual matches, do pay attention to the fine print. Check with your bookie whether the bet is valid for the ninety minutes of play (extra time usually doesn’t count) or if it pertains to only the outright results – usually this is cheaper. Also, remember that own goals don’t qualify for bets on first goal, so if an own goal is scored, don’t think you’ve lost your bet on who will start the scoreboard moving.