Betting on Cards Explained: Cards Betting Guide and Tips Cover

Betting on Cards Explained: Cards Betting Guide and Tips

by Oddspedia Experts
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Cards betting is a form of gambling that is currently sparking interest among players worldwide. The betting option is a perfect alternative to usual markets like Corners, Match Winner, and Double Chance. It has become popular in sports betting because the markets often bear better prices.
Cards bets are also independent of the final score, which means you don't have to wait until the end of the match to get paid. Keep reading to have a solid idea of card betting and the golden strategies you can use for a better outcome.
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What is Cards Betting?

If you are new to this type of gambling, card betting is wagering on the number of yellow or red cards a referee will show during a match. This betting format comes with different markets but revolves around bookings or sending-offs made in a game.

A good example of the card betting option is the Number of Cards issued in a match. In this case, you can choose Over/Under 3.5, predicting whether the cards displayed are 4 or more or under 3.

Like traditional markets, betting on cards requires bettors to conduct thorough research on the game and the teams to place winning bets.

Types of Cards Betting Markets

Cards betting markets are many, so you will be spoilt for choice whether placing in-play or pre-match bets. Some common bet types you should expect in bookies include Alternative Card Handicap and Asian Total Cards.

Total Number of Bookings Over / Under

The total number of bookings is a market where you guess the number of yellow or red cards to be received by players within the match's regular time. This bet type often comes in the form of Over/Under. For instance, the operator may require you to predict whether the total number of bookings will be Over/Under 3.5. If you choose Over 3.5, the number of cards given to players in the game must be 4 or above for you to win. On the other hand, Under 3.5 means the number of yellow cards given to players will be 3 or below during the match.

Exact Number of Bookings

The exact number of bookings is a popular bet type slightly similar to the total number of bookings. The only difference is that you must determine the number of cards given to players. This is usually hard, which explains why the betting market bears better odds than the total number of bookings.

Bookings at Halftime

A football match usually has two halves of 45 minutes each. Bookings at halftime is a betting option that determines the number of cards players will receive before the end of the first 45 minutes of a football match. In most cases, you must estimate and not state the exact number of yellow cards.

Handicap Cards

Handicap cards are a common market in card betting. It is a three-way bet where you punt on a football team that will get the most cards. This betting option refers to a team getting advantaged or disadvantaged by the bookie to level the playing field. As a result, you must beat the handicap to win the bet.

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Team With More Bookings

A team with more bookings is another market you can bet on with real money or a bet credits stake. In this case, you need to determine which team will receive more bookings at the end of the match. The outcome only counts within 90 minutes of the game and not overtime.

Time on The First Card in The Match

A booking or a sending-off can occur anytime during a football match. Given that the game lasts 90 minutes, it can be difficult to pinpoint when the referee will flash the first yellow or red card required in this betting market. It would be best to do comprehensive research on this betting market.

Player to be Booked

As the name suggests, the operator may require you to pick the player who will receive a yellow card during a game. For instance, if Liverpool plays Manchester United, you may need to indicate whether the player is Harry Maguire or Jordan Henderson. This market requires you to focus on players' gameplay. You must also know which players already have a yellow card and other relevant statistics.

Red Card in The Match

Red Cards or sending-offs are not as common as yellow cards in football matches. This is why some sportsbooks require players to determine whether or not there will be a red card in a game. If you back up that there will be a red card during the game, the referee must flash the card for you to win the bet. This can be fairly challenging, especially if you don't know the teams' statistics.

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Over 3.5 bookings in the game
vs.
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Over 3.5 bookings in the game

Important Factors to Consider When Betting on Cards

Whether you focus on booking point markets or the options detailed above, football card betting is difficult. However, there are important factors or strategies you can consider to streamline the entire process. Some of these strategies include:

Check the Statistics

One of the important factors to consider during football card betting is to scrutinise the statistics of the teams playing. The good news is that there are many resources online with helpful information that you can use.

When placing booking bets, focus more on the team cards. For instance, the average number of cards a club has received in a season. You should also check the number of cards a team has accrued during the last five games. This will help you figure out the correct card bets to place. The strategy is applicable even when dealing with the booking points market.

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The Referee of The Match

Though difficult to obtain, analysing statistics about the match's referee can help you understand the card betting trends. This especially applies if you are considering the booking points market. One of the things you need to observe is the referee's strictness.

You must also note the frequency with which a particular referee issues cards. Finally, check the average number of cards issued by the referee in previous matches and use the knowledge to determine the expected total booking points in the match. You can also apply the data to bet on other booking points markets.

Important Matches (Cup Finals, Decisive Standings Match or Other Important Events)

Always take note of important matches when placing booking bets. Cup finals and decisive standing games tend to trigger competitiveness among players. This usually ends up influencing the number of cards issued in a match. So, before researching other aspects of the game, check the event's significance. If the two teams have ever met in such a standing, go over their history to know how they often compete.

Derbies and Matches with Extra Charge

Take into account derbies and matches with extra charge. Such games often have players and coaches in high spirits, with both sides looking forward to winning the game. Furthermore, it can be hard to determine the likely internal confrontations; the outcome is often unpredictable. A good example of derbies you should note include Liverpool vs Manchester United, Lazio vs Roma, and Celtic vs Rangers.

Teams’ Playstyle

Every team has a distinct gaming style, usually determined by their coach. The playing style will decide the movement on the field, which may affect the number of fouls likely to occur in a game.

So, analyse every team's playing style and determine whether the similarities or differences in gaming are likely to lead to confrontations among players. How teams play is crucial in football betting since it also affects how the two teams are likely to perform.

Temperament Players

Understanding players' temperament is crucial to betting on booking options. This is because how fast players' moods change will determine the confrontations likely to be experienced on the field. If a team has players with high tempers, it is likely to receive many fouls. This will determine how many booking points the club will accumulate at the end of the day.

Placing an In-Play Cards Betting Accumulator

Just like other markets, be open to placing in-play cards accumulators. This is one of the best ways to increase your overall odds, which will, in turn, help you get significant winnings. So if four Premier League games are to happen at a particular weekend, consider taking the opportunity to place an in-play cards betting accumulator. Even though you will spend significant time researching, it may prove worthwhile.

Cash-out on a Cards Bet

Some sportsbooks allow gamblers to cash out card bets instead of letting the game continue to completion. Consider the feature whether you want to minimise the expected loss or maximise your winnings. You should, however, have great intuition and skills to know the opportune moment to cash out. Remember, not every card bet allows cash-out, so make sure the game offers the function before considering using it.

Conclusion

Cards betting is a special form of betting offered by different sportsbooks worldwide. This type of gambling entails wagering on the number of bookings and red cards given to players in a game within 90 minutes. Like other online sports betting markets, card betting offers different markets, including totals and over/under. You can also decide to predict the exact number of booking points in an event or the players likely to receive bookings. Note that placing card bets with real cash or bet credits is possible.

Furthermore, bettors can wager on pre-match or in-play card bets. In short, most operators don't limit you when betting on bookings. However, you should have excellent analytical skills before you consider card betting. Fortunately, card betting often comes with competitive odds. You can also increase your odds and the expected payout by placing card betting accumulators.

Pros vs Cons
Thumb Up
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  • Allows using bet credits
  • Offers competitive odds
  • It is exciting
  • Works with in-play events
  • Requires extensive research./cons-item]<br/> [cons-item]Sometimes, the number of markets is low
  • Sometimes, the number of markets is low
  • Could be quite unpredictable at times

Cards Betting FAQ

What Are Cards Bets?

Cards bets are predictions that allow you to wager on bookings and red cards likely to be issued in a game within 90 minutes. They are special bets distinct from the ordinary betting markets.

🏆 Can I Bet on Cards During a Game?

Yes, you can bet on cards during a game. Similar to other forms of gambling, betting on cards is common in in-play games. You need to identify the event with card betting markets.

💶 Can I Bet only On Red Cards?

Yes, you can now bet on red cards only. Bookmakers currently allow you to predict the number of red cards likely to appear in a game. You can also bet on whether there will be any red cards.

💳 Do 2 Yellows and A Red Count as 3 Cards?

Yes, two yellow cards and a red count as three cards. The same applies to one yellow card and a red card. It all depends on how the red card is shown.

Does a Straight Red Card Count as 2 Cards?

A straight red card does not count as 2 cards but rather as a single card. A straight red card is the immediate sending-off of a player due to misconduct.

🏆 What Do Over 5.5 Bookings Mean?

Over 5.5 bookings mean a game will end with 6 or more yellow cards within 90 minutes. This means the referee will show more than five cards to players.

💶 Which Bookies Offer Cards Betting Markets?

Many bookies offer card betting markets. The top bookmakers include Paddy Power and Betfair, among others. You will also find card betting options in sportsbooks such as The Sun, one of the top bookies in the UK.

💳 Which Leagues Produce the Highest Number of Bookings per Game?

Top leagues like the Bundesliga and the English Premier League produce the highest number of bookings per match. This is especially if the event is very important, such as in finals. Such events are usually filled with emotions and sporadic moods.
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This article was written by our team of betting experts, any contributing references are noted below.
Last updated 23/02/2024
References
  1. Taylor, M. (2021). How to bet on bookings in Europe’s major leagues. Pinnacle. https://www.pinnacle.com/en/betting-articles/Soccer/how-to-bet-on-bookings-in-Europe-major-leagues/E37JTKR5WMU2DPLQ
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