The MMA betting market is highly competitive and offers some of the largest payouts among all sports bets. However, it also has some unique pitfalls that can make it difficult for casual bettors to profit from their wagers. These pitfalls include placing bets with their heart instead of with their head, over-simplifying the sport, and making too many parlay bets. While these pitfalls are not exclusive to MMA betting, understanding how to avoid them can increase your chances of winning big.
Betting on a fighter to win is the most basic form of mma betting. This is known as a moneyline bet and is offered by most online MMA betting sites. Typically, the favored fighter will have a minus symbol in front of their odds while the underdog will have a plus symbol in front of their odds. This is how the bookmaker distinguishes which fighter is more likely to win.
While it can be tempting to place a bet on your favorite fighter, this is one of the quickest ways to lose money. It is important to analyze each fight and fighter’s styles before making a decision. In addition, beware of a fighter coming off a KO loss as this can often affect their approach inside the octagon.
In-play MMA betting – sometimes called live betting – can offer bettors an even more lucrative experience than pre-fight betting. In-play odds are updated as the fight unfolds and can be more accurate than pre-fight odds that are usually determined by algorithms and live traders. Moreover, in-play odds are more apt to take into account technical aspects of the fight that pre-fight odds can miss.
Prop bets are another popular option for MMA fans and are a great way to increase the excitement of the fight. These bets are typically placed on specific aspects of the fight, such as how a fighter will win or how many rounds it will last. Often, the oddsmakers will set a specific amount for these bets, which can increase your chances of winning by placing a bet on the under or over side of the total.
Mma is a fast-paced sport, and it can be hard for even the most experienced fighters to know exactly how long each round will last. This is why it is a good idea to look at the previous fighting records of both fighters when determining how long each round will be. In addition, you should consider the fighting style of each fighter to see how it will impact the length of the round.
MMA matchups tend to have lots of late changes, and it is not uncommon for a replacement fighter to be thrown into the mix at a moment’s notice. This can drastically impact the overall outcome of the fight. In fact, late replacements have lost 64% of their UFC matches. This is why it is crucial to stay up-to-date with news on the fighters’ health and training and to keep your eyes open for any last minute changes in the odds of a particular fight.