A Tennis Betting Guide for Beginners

Match Betting

A match bet is usually similar to a Moneyline or outright bet. However, in this case, you are not choosing the winner of the tennis tournament but the individual game you are looking at. As said earlier, there is no draw in the options, and you can only pick either of the players.

The odds for either side depend on the expected outcome. The favourites usually have lower odds than the underdogs. However, having lower odds does not mean either side has the upper hand in winning. Here is an example. In a game between James Belt (2.35) and Wallace Watson (3.21), you decide who among them would win and place your bet. It is the most straightforward type of bet.

Set Betting

In set betting, you predict the winner of the tennis match and the result of the tennis sets. In essence, you are enhancing the odds by betting on two outcomes in a tennis set. Here is an example: if Albert Montana is playing Santiago Giraldo, your set bets may look like this:

• Albert Montana to win 2-1
• Albert Montana to win 2-0
• Santiago Giraldo wins 2-1
• Santiago Giraldo wins 2-0

Bookmakers provide a line for any possible outcome in the two of the three best outcomes in a three-set match. This type of betting has better odds than betting for a win or the outcome of a set alone.

Scorecast

A scorecast bet usually involves wagering on the exact score of a set along with the expected winner. However, since you are betting on two outcomes, the odds for the option are usually higher than in many tennis markets. However, it also has a higher risk than other markets.

Scorecast markets usually list options for each set. Therefore, you can bet on one or more sets at once. Here is an example: Guido Pella is playing with Santiago Giraldo. These are the scorecast options, including exact scores and winners as follows.

• Santiago Giraldo 6-0 2.5 Guido Pella 6-1 3.04
• Santiago Giraldo 6-1 2.01 Guido Pella 6-2 3.45
• Santiago Giraldo 6-2 2.62 Guido Pella 6-3 4.01

Over/Under Betting

In most cases, the over/under betting involves a bet on the number of sets each game will take to complete. In this case, you are not picking a winner but rather the duration of the match. The popular market in this section is usually over/under 2.5.

If you believe the tennis match will take two straight sets, you bet for under 2.5. However, if you feel the match will take more than the straight sets, you go for the over-market. The odds for either selection are usually skewed and not even.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting or spread betting usually improves the odds of the outrights or match betting. If you expect a player to win, such as when a strong player meets a weaker one, you can instead bet on the margin of the win or loss.

As the name suggests, in handicap betting, you are giving one player a handicap or boosting the odds of the weaker ones to provide them with a level playing field before the start of the match. Here is an example. The odds of a game may be:

• Player 1 +2.5
• Player 2 -2.5

In this case, you will be betting that player one will lose by three sets and player 2 will win by a similar number of sets. If player one loses by a single set, you lose the bet. Similarly, if the player two wins by just two sets, it is a loss.

Tennis Accumulators

Tennis accumulators are multiple bets. You combine several bets to increase your odds and enjoy higher payouts. However, this also increases the risks. However, if you do a thorough analysis, you can still win reasonable amounts. Many players go for the match bets to include in their tennis accumulators, but you can pick any tennis market for your selections.

Accumulator bets are settled once all the games on the bet slip are concluded. A single loss means that you lose your entire stake. However, some bookmakers offer insurance promotions such as free bets or cashback options to refund some of the cash they lose in selected accumulator bets. Others give cash-out options to get your winnings before all the selections are concluded.

Choose A Tennis Betting Site

If you do not have a betting account, look for a reputable gambling platform. Such a platform should offer extensive coverage of tennis matches worldwide and not just concentrate on major leagues. You should also pick a platform that accepts players from your region to make it easy to transact.

Check if the bookmaker's website is easy to navigate and uses various features. If you are a regular player, check if there is an app for your mobile platform or a responsive mobile site.

Create Your Betting Account

Visit the selected bookmaker's site and look for the signup link on the homepage. You will be taken to the signup form to fill in the required information by clicking the link. Such information includes your contacts, biodata, and choice of currency.

It would be best if you did not take more than a few minutes to complete the registration process. The bookmaker will send you a link or code to confirm your contact method. Use it to verify the account before logging in.

Choose a Payment Method and Make a Deposit

Log into your account using the username and password you created during registration. Head to the banking or cashier section of the website under 'My Account.' Select one of the methods from the available options. It is recommended that you pick a method you usually use in your online transactions.
Then, locate the deposit section within the cashier and click the method you just added. Add the amount you wish to deposit and complete the transaction with your service provider.

Make your Bets

Placing bets involves selecting the markets and bets that you wish to wager on. Start by visiting the tennis section of the sportsbook and move down to the game you want to play. Then select a market and click it. Repeat the same with all the selections that you want to make.

Then, head to the bet slip you created and enter the amount you wish to wager. Complete the bet by clicking the 'place bet' button.

Look out For the Best Available Odds

Tennis has several markets that you can bet on. Odds vary from one market to another. You may find a prediction that fits more than one market.
In this case, check the market with the highest odds and use them for all your tennis bets. This increases your potential win without increasing your stake or betting on several games. Many punters bet on match bets and fail to check other lucrative markets with higher payouts.

Here is an example. You could increase your potential win by using a handicap if you expect your player to win. In most cases, the handicap odds are usually higher than match betting.

Take Advantage of Matched Betting and Arbitrage Betting

Arbitrage betting is where you back a position or a prediction and lay against it. In essence, you bet on all possible outcomes so that any result becomes a win. This type of bet eliminates the luck or prediction bit and relies purely on mathematical advantages.

Matched betting is similar to arbitrage, except that players use bookmaker bonuses for betting purposes. If a tennis game has opportunities for matched or arbitrage betting, take advantage of such openings to enjoy a guaranteed profit.

Follow Tennis Tipsters and Their Expert Predictions

Several tipsters on the internet offer varying predictions. Experts in the field also provide insights into the upcoming games and different players. It is recommended that you follow several tipsters and experts to have varying insights, data sources and predictions.

Pay Attention to The Surface a Game Is Played On

The surface on which a game is played affects the outcome. For example, a hard court makes the ball bounce low, keeping the rallies short. On the other hand, a clay court slows the ball down and allows for a robust bounce. This makes rallies longer.

Some players are good on particular surfaces and not others. It is good to see where they excel in ascertaining their performance in the upcoming match. Just check the statistics and look at the grounds on the internet.

Keep Track of Your Betting Record

As said earlier, make betting a business enterprise where you check the gains against the losses. Keeping a record of your betting progress allows you to determine mistakes that you have been making, markets that you are good at predicting, and manage your bankroll for a particular period. You can check your betting record in the history tab of your bookmaker's account.

Take the Small Wins and Profits

Most punters look for ways to increase their earnings and take home life-changing amounts. While this is good, it may only happen once if you are fortunate. However, you can make a steady stream of betting income by taking in small wins from average wagers and odds. You will be surprised that this amount proliferates and your gaming undertaking becomes profitable.

Not Familiar with The Sport

It is a severe mistake to bet on a game that you are not conversant with. Knowing tennis means knowing the rules, how points are awarded, fouls, the ranking system, and telling that a player has better skill than the rival.

Game knowledge enables you to discover subtle features, facts and possible events that will likely happen during the game. Fortunately, you can use free materials from the internet to learn about tennis. Do not attempt to place a bet before learning about the game.

Ignoring Player Form and Injuries

The physical fitness of the players is as necessary as their skill. Unfortunately, most punters look at past performance and ignore any injuries or issues that negatively affect their physical fitness. Such problems may cause poor performance and lead to a loss to a weaker opponent.

Information about a player's physical fitness and injuries is readily available online. Do a quick search using the player's name and add the word 'form' or injuries. You can ascertain if the player is likely to play as expected in the next match using the information.

Mismanaging Your Bankroll

The first step to getting your finances in order is being disciplined with your funds. You should always set an amount to bet for a specific period. This saves you from overspending and ending up in financial distress.

Unfortunately, many players have difficulty establishing a bankroll and spending the cash as long as they have some. Others who have already set aside funds for betting usually spend it on a few games that are not informed by sound decisions. Always determine the amount you are willing to lose and spread it over a period so you are not tempted to deposit more and increase your chances of making a profit.

Avoid Betting on Your Favourite Tennis Player

Everyone who loves tennis has a favourite player. Unfortunately, we all expect the player to perform even when it is clear that they are likely to lose. This misplaced confidence invariably leads to a loss as punters fail to see obvious signs that their player is expected to lose.

Avoid betting on your favourite player if you can. If you go ahead and bet on them, subject them to the analysis and scrutiny level you subject to other players.