For those who are used to betting on team sports, putting down a wager on an MMA fight may seem like a foreign concept. However, if you’re familiar with the basics of gambling, mma betting can be an exciting and profitable endeavor. There are a few key things to remember when placing your bets, such as not betting more than you can afford to lose and making sure to research fighters. In addition, there are some unique pitfalls of mma betting that you should be aware of before throwing your money down.
The most common MMA bet is called a Moneyline bet. This is a bet that simply involves choosing one fighter to win the fight. Typically, a favorite will be indicated by a minus symbol in front of their moneyline odds and an underdog will be displayed with a plus symbol. Some bettors prefer to place over/under bets, which involve wagering on the total number of rounds a fight will last. Sportsbooks will set a round total, and you can choose to bet over or under that number.
Prop bets, parlays (accumulators) and Method of Victory bets are also common MMA bet types. In order to place a bet, you must first select the fighter you want to bet on and then make your selection in the bet slip. Once you’ve made your bet, you can view the potential payout in the odds window. Odds showcase how much you can win for your wager, in dollars per $100 wagered, and understanding them is an important aspect of MMA betting.
Another important aspect of MMA betting is knowing how to handicap a fight. Many bettors fall into the trap of doing what is known as “MMA math” – comparing the record of two fighters and then assuming that a fighter with a better overall record will win. This can be a mistake, especially when considering the different styles of two opponents. For example, a southpaw fighter can exploit an orthodox fighter’s weaknesses by using his stance to his advantage.
Other things to consider include the location of a fight, as traveling can wreak havoc on a fighter’s energy. Additionally, fighting in a specific climate can be difficult for certain fighters. For example, Cain Velasquez struggled in his fight against Fabricio Werdum at UFC 188 due to the high altitude of Mexico City.