AFL betting strategies

it’s important to have a plan in place before risking any of your hard-earned money on AFL betting.

There’s no denying that betting on the AFL can add an extra level of excitement to the footy season. But it also requires skill and strategic thinking, and with so many AFL betting markets to choose from, it’s important to have a plan in place before risking any of your hard-earned money.

Here, you’ll find information on some effective strategies that will help you make the best possible decisions when placing a bet, potentially maximising your returns and making sure the whole AFL betting experience remains fun and financially safe.

Research Teams and Players

Before you even think about placing a bet, one of the most important strategic moves you can make is to research different teams and players. Study their recent form, scoring stats, injury list, and any other relevant information that could impact their performance. Likewise, take the time to look at any changes in coaches, as this could impact the team’s performance this season.

Home Ground Advantage

There’s a certain level of superstition when it comes to the home-ground advantage in Australian rules football, but the general consensus is that many fans believe teams play better when they’re at their home venue in front of a roaring crowd. Don’t rely on this phenomenon alone, though. Do some research and look at the history of your team’s performance at their home ground, and if you feel they’ve performed better at home in the past, use that as part of your betting strategy.

Weather Conditions

It’s also a great strategic move to keep an eye on the weather conditions ahead of a game, as wet weather can heavily favour defensive, territory-based styles of play and make scoring more difficult. On the other hand, dry conditions with little wind often result in high-scoring shootouts!

Shop Around for Odds

With so many bookmakers offering AFL better markets these days, it pays to shop around for the best available odds on any given name, as seemingly insignificant differences in pricing can make a big impact on your long-term profits or losses. It’s also worth signing up to the emailing list of a few different bookies to take advantage of special promotions and incentives.

Line Betting

While traditional match betting involves wagering on the outright winner, line betting offers a different approach by applying a handicap to each team that levels the playing field. In terms of strategy, placing this type of bet can be particularly useful in matches where one team is heavily favoured, as it provides more balanced odds and opportunities for value betting.

Player Performance Markets

Another strategic approach and a more nuanced way of betting on AFL is to look at player performance markets. There’s loads of variety in betting with this strategy, too, including the first goal scorer, most goals kicked by a certain player, or total goals kicked by a team. The odds on this type of betting are often pretty good, adding to their strategic advantage, but they can require more research into each player or team’s form.

In-Play Betting

In-play betting (or live betting) allows you to place bets during the course of a match based on real-time developments and fluctuations in gameplay. This form of betting opens up a world of possibilities in terms of strategy, allowing you to capitalise on shifting momentum and make tactical adjustments as events unfold on the field. Whether it’s backing a team to stage a second-half comeback or predicting the next goal scorer, in-play betting offers you the opportunity to supplement other bets you’ve placed as the game progresses.

Avoid Emotional Betting

We get it – everyone has their favourite team or player. But when placing an AFL bet, you need to keep a level head to avoid letting emotions cloud your judgement. Instead, make an objective decision based on research, analysis, and sound reasoning. By staying disciplined in this way and maintaining a rational mindset, you’ll find it much easier to place effective bets rather than hoping that your favourite AFL star will play as well as you need them to.

Budget

As with any form of gambling, setting a budget and sticking to it is essential for long-term success in AFL betting. Bet strategically, following the guidance and tips we’ve outlined above, and don’t chase any losses. By doing this, you can make sure that your AFL betting experience remains both enjoyable and sustainable.