Tennis Betting

How Does Tennis Betting Work?

Tennis betting is popular among Scandinavian sports enthusiasts. Betting engages you with this thrilling sport. However, you must know the fundamentals of tennis betting before placing your first wager. These include understanding:

Online vs Offline Tennis Betting

The easiest and most convenient way to bet on tennis is through online sportsbooks. These platforms offer various betting markets, competitive odds, live betting options, and often enticing bonuses for new customers. Create an account and deposit funds, and you can place bets on tennis.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more traditional approach, you can visit physical sportsbooks or betting shops. While these may have a more limited selection than online platforms, they offer a social environment. So, you have the opportunity to interact and network with fellow bettors.

Odds and Calculations

The amount of wager and the odds associated with your bet determines your potential payout. Three main formats present the odds:

• American odds
• Decimal odds
• Fractional odds

A positive (+) sign in American odds means the amount you will win on a 100 euros bet. On the other hand, a negative (-) sign indicates the amount you need to bet to win 100 euros. In decimal odds, a number represents the total payout for every 1 euro wagered.

Moreover, there are fractions in fractional odds. A fraction shows the potential payout or profit relative to your stake. You can multiply your stake by odds to calculate your potential payout in tennis betting. So, this is how you calculate the odds. Similarly, you can find online betting calculators to streamline the process.

Odds and Probabilities

Odds are the bookmaker’s evaluation of the probability of a specific outcome in tennis betting. Lower odds mean a higher chance of winning. However, lower odds have a lower potential payout. On the other hand, higher odds indicate a lower probability of winning the bet, but it usually has a higher payout.

For instance, you are watching a tennis match between Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner. Medvedev is a seasoned professional and favorite with odds of 1.65. Sinner is a rising star in tennis, but he is the underdog in this match with odds of 2.20. So, if you bet 50 Euros on Medvedev and he wins the game, you will receive 82.50 Euros (your 50 euros stake + 32.50 euros profit).

However, if you bet the same amount on Sinner and he wins the match, you will receive 110 Euros (your 50 euros stake + 60 euros profit). So, this teaches you the fundamental principle of odds. Favorite players have lower payouts but higher chances of winning, while a weaker or underdog has lower chances of winning but offers higher payouts.

Types of Tennis Bets

All sports, including football, ice hockey, and horse racing, share similar and different bet types. If you want to increase your chances of winning bets on tennis, you must understand the types of bets that work well for this sport. The following table gives a quick overview of the types of tennis bets, so you know which one to choose and when to decide.

Moneyline

Moneyline betting in tennis is simply picking who you think will win the match. It is the most straightforward type of tennis wager. For instance, in a Wimbledon semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, you might see Djokovic listed at -150 odds and Alcaraz at +120. It means that a 150-euro bet on Djokovic will net you $100 if he wins, while a 100-euro bet on Alcaraz will net you 120 euros if he wins. The negative (-) odds indicate the favorite (Djokovic), and the positive (+) odds indicate the underdog (Alcaraz).

Game Spread

Sports betting can make you rich if you develop a good strategy and go beyond moneyline bets. Game spread betting in tennis is a way to wager on the margin of victory in a match rather than just picking the winner.

Let’s say Iga Swiatek is playing Elena Rybakina, and Swiatek is favored by -4.5 games. So, this means you are betting that Swiatek will not only win but win by at least 5 games or more. If Swiatek’s final score is 6-4 or 6-3, she covers the spread, and your bet wins. If she wins, but by less than 5 games or loses, your bet loses.

Set Spread

Set spread betting in tennis is like giving one player a head start in a race, but instead of meters, it’s sets. It is a great way to add an extra dimension to your wagers, particularly if you are looking for an alternative spread in betting.

For example, there is a Grand Slam match between the dominant force, Novak Djokovic, and a young upstart, Holger Rune. Being the favorite, Djokovic might be given a spread of -1.5 sets. It means he needs to win the match in straight sets (2-0) for your bet to win. If Rune manages to snag even a single set, pushing the game to a decider, then bets on Djokovic with the -1.5 spread would lose.

On the contrary, you could bet on Rune with a +1.5 set spread. So, this means that even if Rune loses the match but manages to win at least one set, your bet still wins. It is a way to find value in backing the underdog or to secure a win even if your favored player does not dominate completely. Therefore, this bet type is particularly relevant in best-of-three set matches, where the spread is usually -1.5 or +1.5. In best-of-five-set matches (like in Grand Slams), spreads can be higher, like -2.5 or +2.5.

Total Games

Total games betting is also known as over/under betting. In tennis, total games betting means predicting whether the total sets/games in a match are under/over a specific figure set by the sportsbook. So, this figure is usually a decimal (e.g., 21.5 games) to avoid a push (tie). Your bet wins if you correctly predict whether the match will have more or fewer games than the set number.

Prop Bets

Prop bets, short for proposition bets, add a layer of excitement and variety to tennis wagering. They are about focusing on specific events within a match instead of the final outcome. These can range from predicting if a tiebreak will occur, which player will win the first set, or even how many aces a player will serve. Prop bets offer a chance for a deeper analysis of player tendencies and match dynamics. Examples of Prop Bets in Tennis are:

• Will there be a tiebreak in the match?
• Who will serve the first ace?
• Will a specific set go to a tiebreak?
• Correct score of a specific set

Live Betting

Live betting in tennis brings the excitement of the court directly to your fingertips. Imagine Novak Djokovic is a set down against a surging young opponent. The crowd’s energy shifts and the odds start to move. With live betting, you can capitalize on this momentum shift. You can back the underdog to win the next set, or even the match, often at much more favorable odds than were available before the game started.

It is not just about upsets, though. Live betting lets you modify your strategy as the match progresses. If your initial bet is not good, you can hedge your losses or take advantage of new opportunities. Live betting is the ultimate test of your tennis knowledge, ability to read the game, and decision-making under pressure.

How To Analyze Tennis Matches for Betting?

To consistently win at tennis betting, you need more than just luck; You need a strategy rooted in analysis. Let’s dive into the important aspects to consider before placing your wagers:

• Assess Player Form and Statistics
• Focus on Tournament Dynamics
• Develop Your Tennis Betting Strategy

Assess Player Form and Statistics

Digging into player data can reveal valuable insights. Here’s what you should look at:

Recent Performance: How has the player performed in their last few matches? A winning streak can boost confidence, while losses might signal a dip in form.

Head-to-Head Records: Does one player have a historical advantage over the other? It is a significant factor in predicting the outcome.

Playing Surface Strengths/Weaknesses: Some players excel on clay, while others thrive on grass or hard courts. Understand their preferences and how they have performed on the specific surface of the upcoming match.

Serve/Return Statistics: A strong serve is usually a game-changer, and a solid return game can neutralize an opponent’s power. Look at ace counts, double faults, and break point conversion rates.

Ranking (ATP/WTA): While rankings are not everything, they offer a general idea of a player’s skill level and consistency.

Focus on Tournament Dynamics

The specific court surface plays a huge role in how the game unfolds. For instance, clay courts are slower, favoring players with a strong baseline game and stamina. Grass courts, conversely, are faster and are a haven for big servers and aggressive net players. Hard courts have a more balanced playing field, but the speed and bounce can vary depending on the tournament venue.

Develop Your Tennis Betting Strategy

With your analysis in hand, it is time to formulate your betting approach:

Value Betting: Seek out players whose odds seem higher than their chances of winning. Remember, this requires careful research and a keen eye for discrepancies.

Follow Tennis Tipsters/Experts: Experienced analysts often share valuable insights. While not foolproof, their opinions can offer different perspectives and potentially uncover hidden value bets.

Statistical Models and Analytics: Dive into the world of tennis data. Advanced statistics like Elo ratings or serve/return models can provide a more objective assessment of player abilities.

How To Choose the Best Tennis Betting Platforms?

With tennis betting growing in popularity, numerous platforms are vying for your attention. Choosing the right one is daunting, but focusing on key factors can help you make an informed decision. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Licensing and Regulation
• Security and Payment Options
• Bonuses and Promotions
• Range of Tennis Betting Markets
• Live Streaming Options
• User Experience (Interface, Mobile Apps)

Licensing and Regulation

Choose a betting platform with a reputable license. For example, you can choose an online sportsbook licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority or MGA. You can also select sportsbooks that hold a Curacao license. These regulatory organizations have strict standards, ensuring players’ protection and fair play/betting.

Security and Payment Options

Choose an online sports betting platform that secures your personal and financial information. I recommend looking for sportsbooks with SSL encryption. At the same time, the platform you choose must offer secure and diverse payment options, such as credit/debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency.

Bonuses and Promotions

Many sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses or ongoing promotions specifically for tennis betting. These can improve your bankroll. You must read the terms and conditions to know the rules and wagering requirements.

Range of Tennis Betting Markets

The range of tennis betting markets is crucial for experienced bettors. Look for betting sites that have different bet types, including:

• Match Winner
• Set Betting
• Handicap Betting
• Total Games
• Prop Bets

Live Streaming Options & User Experience

Some platforms offer live streaming of tennis matches, allowing you to follow the action in real-time and make informed live bets. In addition, the platform should have an intuitive interface that allows for easy navigation, both on desktop and mobile devices. Look for features like live scores, statistics, and betting tools to aid your analysis.