Betting on AFL football is a surefire way to spice up your sports viewing experience.
Are you a sports fan looking to add a little extra excitement to your AFL viewing experience? Placing a bet is a surefire way to spice things up! But before you dive headfirst into the world of AFL betting, it’s important that you understand the various types of bets, know where to get up to date odds on the AFL, and have some key tips in your arsenal to help you make the best decisions.
From traditional wagers to more complex options, here you’ll find everything you need to know on how to bet on the AFL, starting with the different types of bets you can place.
Head-to-Head Betting
This is the most straightforward way to bet on AFL games, and it simply involves picking a team that you think will win the match outright, and the odds attached to each team will reflect their probability of victory. The lower the odds, the more likely that team is favoured to win.
So, for example, if you place a $100 bet on a team with an odds of 1.50, you could win $50 on that bet. Likewise, odds of 3.00 would mean a $100 wager would pay out $300 if that team wins the match.
Line Betting
Also sometimes referred to as “handicap betting”, line betting introduces a point spread as a way of levelling the playing field between to unevenly matched teams. This means that instead of betting on the outright winner, you’re betting on whether a team will exceed or fall short of a predetermined margin set by the bookmaker.
Total Betting
Total betting involves predicting the total combined score of both teams in a match, and you can wager on whether the total score will be over or under a predetermined number, which is set by the bookmaker based on an analysis of each team’s offensive and defensive capabilities.
Margin Betting
Similar to a total bet, margin betting is a wager on how many points will separate the two teams at the final siren. Various margins are offered with this type of bet with odds attached to each, and the tighter the margin range, the higher the potential payout.
Derivatives
One of the more complex types of bets you can place, derivatives provide you with more choice on specific game outcomes. This includes things like the first team to score, who the first goalscorer is, and a range of other alternatives to a simple match outcome. One thing to keep in mind with derivatives is that they tend to be higher risk but, if successful, can result in much bigger payouts.
Proposition Bets
With a proposition bet (or “prop” bet), you’re betting on whether a given player or team statistic will go over or under a set number. This can include things like total possessions, metres gained, inside 50s, and loads of other measurable stats.
Live Betting
Live betting allows you to place bets on AFL matches while they’re in progress. The odds are continually adjusted throughout the match based on the action, allowing you to capitalise on momentum swings or make up for losing a bet with a well-time live wager!
Futures
As the name suggests, futures betting involves predicting outcomes that will be determined at a future date, such as the winner of the AFL Grand Final or the Brownlow Medal winner. You’ll place this type of bet well in advance of the event, and if it is successful, the payout can be substantial.
AFL Betting Tips
Now you know the type of bets you can make while enjoying an AFL match. But, to keep the odds in your favour, there are some things you should keep in mind before placing your bet.
Firstly, make sure you stay informed about team performance, taking into account player injuries and other factors that could influence the outcome of a match. Even if you’re a die-hard fan of a certain team or player, there’s no use in placing a bet if their performance has been substandard this season.
It’s also a good idea to shop around and compare odds from different bookmakers before you lay your money down, as this will ensure you’re getting the best value for your bets. Likewise, take the time to familiarise yourself with different odds formats (decimal, fractional, etc) and how they impact potential payouts.
Finally, set a budget for your AFL betting and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses, and make sure you never bet more than you can afford to lose. This will keep things fun and, most importantly, prevent you from spiralling into gambling debt.
