MMA betting can be a great way to make some extra money, but it can also be very risky. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to improve your odds and make sure you’re getting the best possible return on your wagers.
The first thing you should do is shop for the best odds on your favorite MMA fights. The best place to find the most competitive odds is at a regulated sportsbook, such as BetMGM or DraftKings. These places will offer a wider selection of wagers and often have more attractive prices than offshore sites, which can be a real advantage when it comes to MMA betting.
Betting with Emotion: Many people will be tempted to back their favorite fighters because of their personal biases, but it’s always a good idea to look at the underdogs as well. Whether it’s because they have more skill or are simply younger, backing underdogs can be a great way to boost your MMA bets and increase your profit.
Know the public: Understanding how sportsbooks and oddsmakers set their betting odds can help you make better decisions about what to bet on. While oddsmakers will strive to make both sides of a bet even, they can adjust those prices depending on how the public reacts to a specific line.
Prop bets: These are additional bets that can be based on a wide range of outcomes and are usually very fun to place. These bets include total rounds, method of victory bets, and more.
Total rounds are over/under bets that are based on the number of rounds the fight will last before a winner is declared. These bets are very popular in sports like football and basketball, but they’re not as common in MMA. This is because MMA fights are short and a lot of the time the fights are defensive. This makes over/under bets difficult to predict, but they can pay off if you get it right.
Parlay your bets: Most sportsbooks will allow you to place multiple bets on the same event, which can be a great way to increase your profits. This can be done by combining two or more legs into one single bet, or by putting your money on different lines on the same fight.
Don’t over-bet: MMA betting is fun, but it’s easy to over-bet. Especially when you’re new to the sport, it can be tempting to place bets on every matchup that looks exciting. But if you want to win, you need to have some strategy behind your bets.
Check if there are late replacements: If a fighter is forced to withdraw due to injury or lack of preparation, this can be an excellent opportunity to place a bet on them. In the UFC, for example, many fighters have been forced to withdraw from fights and are replaced by late replacements who may be more willing to fight.
The best MMA bets are those that have the highest payouts, such as those for a stoppage in a certain round. These bets can be very profitable, but they’re not available for every single fight, so you need to make sure to check the odds carefully.