Sports betting and running sports: unique options and guidelines for beginners – AW

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Sports betting has been hugely popular for decades, if not centuries. It allows sports fans the opportunity to bring extra levels of excitement when watching their chosen events, and puts their skills of prediction to the test. While there’s no denying how enjoyable this can all be, the reality is that beginners can sometimes feel a little overwhelmed. That’s because there are so many options to learn about, as well as rules and strategies to consider.

As you read on, we’ll be helping to make things that much clearer. By the end, you’ll be confident when it comes to placing bets on running sports, and you’ll understand all of the terms that are involved.

Understanding Sports Betting

At its basic level, sports betting is just about wagering money on the outcome of an event. It could be that you want to try and predict the winner, you may want to guess the end score, or you may want to bet on any other possible occurrence during an event. The increasing popularity of online sports betting, and the platforms that support this, have made it so easy to place a bet on pretty much anything across a massive range of sports.

Before you dive in and look to place a bet, there are some key terms that you need to understand:

• Betting markets: These are the different types of bets that are available such as spreads, props, and moneylines.

Unique opportunities in Running Sports

Running sports, such as marathons, endurance races, and track events are a particular niche in the sports betting world, and that means that they come with their own opportunities. While betting is generally dominated by the likes of team sports, such as football, betting on running is becoming more and more popular, and here’s a look at the reasons why:

Diverse Betting Markets

These include:

• Predicting the overall winner of a certain event

• Betting on split times or if a runner will be beating a set time at a set point

• Matchup bets where 2 runners are set to compete against each other for your wager

Live Betting Opportunities

Live betting offers a fantastic experience for fans of running. You can bet on the likes of the winner or runners position all while watching the action unfold in real-time.

Specialised Knowledge

To bet on running sports, you need an understanding of athletes’ form, weather conditions, and the difficulty of the course. This all needs looking at along with historical data.

Guidelines for Beginners

Following these steps will allow you to enjoy your betting journey from the start:

Start Small

The first thing to be aware of is the importance of managing your bankroll. Blow it too soon and that’s your betting brought to an end. Start with small bets so you can develop your understanding and resist the urge to chase winners. Never wager more than you can afford to lose.

Learn the Basics

Get to grips with the betting terminology that we’ve already touched on. When you remember, and understand, then the whole experience is far less daunting.

Research Thoroughly

When you’re looking to place a bet, you need to look at factors such as:

• Athletes profile

• Course details

• Event history

Use reputable Betting Platforms

There are plenty of betting sites out there, but they are far from being created equal. Only wager at sites that ensure fair play and offer secure transactions. A great example can be found by looking at the Bety.com sportsbook. This is a trustworthy platform that’s great for beginners and experienced bettors alike.

Enjoy Live Betting Wisely

There’s no denying that live betting is exciting, but bear in mind that it needs you to be okay with quick decision-making. The key here is to keep your head and avoid bets that are impulsive.

Track Your Bets

Keep a record of all the bets you place and the amount you wager, as well as the type of bet. This will help you to identify any strategies that could be useful in the future.

Stay Disciplined

Set yourself limits such as the amount you will wager per week. When you can stick to limits you can be sure that your sports betting will always remain fun.

Popular Running Events for Betting

There are some events that garner far more attention than others when it comes to betting. Let’s take a look:

Marathons

These cover iconic races such as the Boston Marathon, the London Marathon, and the Tokyo Marathon. These events have plenty of betting opportunities such as betting on winners and times.

Track and Field Championships

When you look at the World Athletics Championships and the Olympics, you’ll find that there are numerous running events to enjoy. There are opportunities to bet on sprints as well as middle and long distance races.

Ultramarathons

These races are like no other and see runners test their endurance to the extreme. Understanding runner strategy and weather conditions are key here.

Relay Races

These running events bring a team element to the bets and this brings whole new dynamics to consider. Looking at hand-offs and split times are needed to be successful with these bets.

Leveraging Online Sports Betting Platforms

The arrival of online sports betting platforms have made engaging with running, and other sports, easier than ever before. When you tap into what they offer, you stand to benefit from:

• Convenience: You can place a bet at anytime no matter where you are

• Variety: The best sportsbooks give access to a huge range of sports and betting markets

• Insights: Detailed analytics and betting guides come is really useful

Common Mistakes to Avoid

No matter what guidance you may receive, it’s still possible to make mistakes and we want to do all we can to help you avoid these. These are some of the most common pitfalls that beginners face:

Overconfidence in Favourites

When all you do is bet on favourites you can be sure that your returns will be minimal (and some of the excitement is taken away). It’s also worth noting that the favourite won’t always come out on top so you must take the time to analyse all contenders before you place your bets.

Ignoring Underdogs

Placing bets on underdogs can lead to some huge payouts. When you look at events like marathons, yes they have favourites but the distance covered means that the outcome can be unpredictable. An educated punt on an outside chance can be beneficial.

Betting Without Research

If you place bets based on gut feeling or hearsay, you can be sure that wins will be few and far between. To be successful, you need to take the time to study events and contenders so that you place your bets wisely.

Failing to Manage Bankroll

If you bet recklessly or exceed your limits, you could find yourself in financial trouble. Even if you avoid serious issues, there’s still a good chance that you’ll bring your betting to a premature end.

Chasing Loses

No one likes to lose but when you do you need to accept that it’s part of the experience. Don’t make the mistake of increasing your next bets to try and recover your previous losses as this will rarely work out well.

Final Thoughts

When you consider sports betting, and running sports in particular, it’s easy to see the levels of excitement that are on offer. However, it’s also important to consider the strategy element of this. If you take the time to understand the opportunities that are on offer, such as the range of betting markets and live betting, beginners can quickly progress and see more and more success. Be sure to start small as you learn how the betting markets work, and only bet at established and trusted sites. On top of this, be sure to maintain your bankroll and keep sports betting what it’s meant to be: fun.

As you see success with popular running events, you then may find yourself drawn to more niche ones. These can offer whole new opportunities that beginners miss out on, and these can lead to some exceptional payouts.

FAQs

What is the safest way to start sports betting?

The safest approach is to start with small bets and stick to sports that you have a good understanding of. Also, be sure to stick to reputable platforms when placing any wager. This means that you will see fair odds and can be sure that winnings will be paid.

Are there any strategies for betting on running sports?

There are no strategies as such. It is research that will pay dividends. Be sure to study the form of athletes, the course, and historical data too. It’s also worth diversifying your bets so that you’re not wagering your whole budget on a single outcome.