Here at NetBet, we’ve got a whole load of great markets for sports betting and offer some of the best Football odds around. We don’t just take bets on individual contests; we offer online betting on plenty of markets across different games and tournaments on our UK betting site. If you want to place any sports bet, here’s a quick guide on how exactly you should go about it.
What is Football?
Football is among the most followed sports, with millions flocking worldwide to enjoy the game. This undying love and appreciation for the sport have led to various football betting sites popping up over the course of several years and they are now as popular as ever.
It is hard to imagine someone that doesn’t have at least a vague concept of what football is. However, for those who are curious, football is a team sport that involves two teams playing against each other to score their sphere-shaped ball in the other opponent’s net (called a goal). Both teams consist of 11 players who take up varying positions on the pitch.
Football is referred to as “soccer” in the United States of America. It has been estimated that around 200 nations play the game, totalling approximately 250 million players worldwide. Events such as the world cup and the Champions League final have been known to reach audiences of over 1 billion people.
The History of Football
The game’s original rules were established by the Football Association of England in 1863. Ever since then, it has evolved exponentially, with the introduction of state-of-the-art technology in recent decades, such as goal-line cameras.
But before 1863, other forms of the game also existed. They were played in public schools, but no standardised rules had yet been governed. As a result, many versions of the game were played with the most popular versions of the game consisting of Sheffield and Cambridge rules.
It is difficult to credit any one person for having invented the game. However, one individual known as Ebenezer Morley is responsible for creating England’s Football Association.
Deemed the “father” of the association, he also founded the Barnes Football Club. In 1863, he brought 12 clubs together to codify the game.
For more context, the history of football goes as far back as 2000 years ago in regions like China, Ancient Greece, Rome, and parts of Central America.
Ultimately, most agree that England modified those previous disparate games and their rules into the game well-loved today.
The Football Association uniformed the sport, introducing some of the most defining rules still considered standard today, such as the prohibition of fouling people or touching the ball with your hands.
How do I Bet on Football?
Once you start betting, you will notice there are hundreds of markets on any football match. Each sportsbook offers a different number of football betting markets and odd sizes on which you place bets. It is up to you to determine which markets and odds to pick while placing bets.
At NetBet, we strive to offer the best odds and various bets. Below are the most popular bet types you must know:
Football Match Bet
The match bet is the most common bet type in football betting. This is when players bet on the outcome of a game. A football match comprises three outcomes: a win, loss, or draw. It is often called a 1X2 bet because the bettor bets on the home team to win (1), bet on the away team (2), or bet on a draw (X).
You will generally find the match bet at the very top of any sportsbook platform offering football betting since the outcome is what most regular bettors gravitate towards.
Double Chance Bet
A Double Chance bet is a popular form of betting where players bet on two outcomes in a match. That lets players bet on a draw and a win simultaneously. Ultimately, this type of bet offers bettors a chance to play with reduced risk.
The odds are lower than those in match betting, but the winning chances of a player’s bet are greater as they are backing more outcomes.
For instance, Chelsea plays at home against Manchester United, and you decide to place a Double Chance bet on Manchester United (1x). You will win your bet if the team wins or draws. You may also place bets on one of the teams to be victorious via Double Chance betting (12), in which case, you will lose your bet should the match end in a draw.
Handicap Bet
Handicap betting (Three-Way Handicap) is also a common choice in football betting. This betting system comprises goal differences between two teams offering a speculative advantage or disadvantage to the chosen team before the match begins.
For instance, you can bet on Arsenal beginning a football match against Leicester with a -1-goal handicap where they compete in the Premier League. For your bet to be successful, Arsenal will need to win the game by a minimum of two goals.
Over/Under
Over/Under is also a common betting market in the football betting scene. This option is best for bettors who want to speculate on variables rather than the outcome. For instance, you may predict the Total Score of a football match to be Over 2.5. Your bet will be successful if the game you are betting on has 3 goals or more.
When you choose NetBet Sport, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality sports betting markets. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.