Mma betting is far more complex than simply picking the winner of a fight. Understanding the different types of bets available will help you make informed wagering decisions and maximize your profits. Money Line bets are the most straightforward. They offer odds on a specific competitor and are based on their win/loss record and other factors such as fighting style, fighting experience, and current health status.
Over/Under bets, also known as totals, are a simple wager on how many rounds the fight will last. Oddsmakers set a number for each round and then bettors can either take the Over or the Under. The Over/Under will include a vig or juice, which is a fee charged by the bookmaker to compensate for their risk.
Method of Victory odds are a more specific bet on how a fight will end. These bets can be placed on KO/TKO, Submission or Decision and are offered at various odds depending on the likelihood of each outcome.
Fighter matchups are another popular MMA betting market. This bet type can pay out a higher payout than the Money Line and requires more in-depth research into fighters’ styles and recent performance. You’ll also want to understand the physical limitations of a fighter and their ability to recover from injuries.
In addition to fighter matchups, bettors can also place parlays – a group of bets that are tied together into a single wager to increase payout odds. However, parlays come with a higher risk as you need all of the bets to win for them to pay out.
MMA prop bets, which are bets on aspects of a fight other than the winner, can be profitable but are often more difficult to win than standard bets. These bets can range from who will land the most strikes to whether the fight will go to a decision. Props require an intimate knowledge of a fight and the fighters involved, including their injury histories, striking and grappling abilities, and their recent performances.
One of the most common mistakes bettors make is using MMA math, which is a process of comparing the records of two opponents to predict their outcome. This mistake can derail a bettor’s analysis and lead to unwise wagering decisions. It can also distract from the real work of studying fighters’ styles, stances, and matchups. For example, a southpaw fighter could have an advantage against an orthodox fighter due to the former’s natural fighting stance. This is why it’s important to read a reputable MMA betting site’s odds before placing your bets.