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Futures Betting Explained
Futures betting is a long-term betting opportunity that allows bettors to wager on the outcome of a series of events rather than a single game. In this expert guide to futures, we have provided an in-depth definition of this popular market, covered some tips and strategies, and everything else you need to get you started.
Overview of Futures Bets
Sports betting futures are wagers on outcomes that will be determined at a future time. They often factor in a series of events, the results of which are only clear at the end of a sports season or tournament. Some popular examples include betting on the championship winner, division championships, and player award recipients.
These differ from standard bets in that they are not settled after a game has concluded, and they will remain active until the outcome has been determined. This allows bettors to continue to bet on the markets or cash out as the season progresses and probabilities shift.
Different Types of Futures Bets
There are three main types of sportsbook futures that betting sites will list. These include championship winners, seasonal performances, and player performances. Each has its own perks and requires different levels of research. We break each of these down for you in this upcoming section.
Championship Winners
A championship-winning sports future is a wager on a team or player that is expected to win the championship title in a particular league or sport. This is almost like a moneyline bet in that you’re backing an outright winner, though the period is drawn out over both the regular season and championship games.
One of the most popular futures bets is an NFL wager on the winner of the Super Bowl before the regular season has begun. A wager on the Kansas City Chiefs to win could be presented at odds of +800. If you backed this outcome and they won, you’d win based on the odds placed at the time of your bet.
Season-Long Performances
A season-long performance futures bet will only take into account seasonal games before the playoffs. This could be a divisional champion such as betting on the winner of the AL East in Major League Baseball or AFC East in NFL football. Alternatively, you could back a conference champion such as the Eastern Conference winner in NBA basketball.
Some sportsbooks may offer futures bets that don’t necessarily relate to seasonal champions, but instead require bettors to predict the total number of wins of a team, their point-scoring potential, or other achievements. For example, this could be the Over/Under total wins for a specific NHL team during the regular season.
Player Achievements
In player achievement futures, bettors are backing the performances of individuals rather than the whole team. A common futures bet will back the winners of certain awards determined at the end of regular seasons, such as the Most Valuable Player (MVO), Rookie of the Year, or NBA scoring champion.
It’s also possible to bet on futures that predict the number of wins, points, or other achievements an individual player will generate throughout a season. Be mindful that these may not be available in all states for college divisions as they may be considered to be akin to prop betting.
How to Make Futures Bets
Before you enjoy futures sports betting, you must first know how to register at a sportsbook and fund an account in your area. The betting process is as simple as placing a regular pre-match or live bet.
To get started, head to the sports category and league that you wish to back. This could be in the off-season or currently in play. You will then find the Futures markets listed in their own tab, with either team or player performances available. Choose a category and consider the odds. Click the team, player, or market you wish to back, enter your stake, and confirm the wager. It will then pay out once the outcome is determined.
Strategies for Futures Bets
There are several useful futures betting tips you can follow throughout the wagering process that can improve your chances significantly. Firstly, you will need to be familiar with the current rankings of teams and players and their previous years’ performances. Watch out for any updates to lineups or coach changes in the off-season too, as well as injury reports.
Once the season begins, track the progress of your selections and seek out opportunities that arise. For example, if a team gets off to a slow start but you remain confident in their performance, you should be able to back a future on them at a favorable price.
If your team makes it to the championship game, you may find an opportunity to hedge your bets by backing the other team. This strategy can guarantee a profit and minimize any potential losses, but you will need to invest again. Another strategy could be to find parlay futures opportunities, where you add a team, player achievement, and seasonal winner in one bet.
Of course, it’s always wise to hold accounts with multiple sportsbooks so you can compare futures betting odds and take advantage of the best prices. Be sure to check for promotions and bonuses to find out if they’re eligible for futures markets and take advantage of them to lower your financial risks.
Factors Influencing Futures Odds
It’s helpful to understand how sports betting futures odds are determined so you know where to focus your research. As these outcomes can be especially hard to predict, sportsbooks will analyze the most recent data regarding team and player performances, which will likely be from previous season games.
Changes to lineups in the form of transfers or retirements will also be considered, as will changes to the coaching team. If a team has a young lineup that is maturing, this could also impact how they will perform in the following season and the dynamics of the teams.
When it comes to live sport futures, the seasons will already be in progress. This gives sportsbooks and bettors more relevant data to consider. Changes in odds prices could be related to serious player injuries or long-losing streaks that make an ultimate victory seem unlikely. This is why it’s integral to stay knowledgeable throughout the seasons and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Pros and Cons of Futures
There are plenty of advantages to placing futures bets that make this a lucrative and potentially rewarding activity. The clearest is that the amount of money that can be won by backing a favorite will far exceed what is offered before a championship game, allowing you to win much more than was wagered.
You can continue placing futures throughout the season, which allows you to complete your own analysis and adjust your strategy, hedge your bets, and find new betting opportunities. Odds discrepancies for futures between sportsbooks are also common, giving bettors the chance to shop around for the best prices.
However, there are several notable drawbacks to sports futures betting. Notably, these require a good deal of patience and long-term commitment. You will need to be comfortable dealing with uncertainty, as the sportsbook will hold your money long before a market is settled.
These futures bets also provide a huge advantage to sportsbooks as there will only be one winner for the season. The winner of the NBA Championship winner, for example, is a 1-in-30 proposition. Plenty of factors can derail your success throughout a season, including injuries, trades, and the unforeseen success of competitors.
Futures Bets in Different Leagues
The most popular futures bets in the USA relate to the Big Four US leagues, which include the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. However, some sites will also offer futures for college division games and other popular international sporting events. We’ve covered some important details about these leagues below.
NFL
The NFL is the most popular sport for placing futures bets due to its huge following and the major betting draw of the Super Bowl. You have 32 franchise teams to consider for the championship winner bet, as well as divisional and conference winners. Other opportunities include the MVP Award recipient and the best player in the Super Bowl.
NBA
There are 30 NBA teams to consider for your championship futures bet, with a structure similar to that of the NFL. The regular season contains six divisions divided into two conferences, giving bettors broad options for seasonal futures. Player futures also include MVPs for the seasons and Finals, as well as players making the All-Star team.
MLB
The MLB sees 30 teams compete to win the World Series. Before the series, there are six divisions split between two leagues. You can also back the winners of the American League and National League with futures bets. The MLB provides over/under betting for team performances as well as the MVP.
NHL
In NHL futures bets, you can back 32 teams to win the Stanley Cup. There are four divisions and two conferences that are open to betting too, as well as player performance wagers such as MVPs. You will also find over/under future markets for the NHL.
Other Sports
Outside of the major leagues, you will also find futures markets for college division sports such as football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. You can back the winner of each sport’s NCAA champion, winners of the March Madness tournaments, and outstanding player prizes such as college football’s Heisman Trophy.
Just be mindful that states that prohibit wagers on college player props may restrict some futures betting options. Other great sports for futures bets include MLS and international soccer, with the sport perhaps offering the most options due to there being dozens of major leagues around the globe held all year round.
Successful Examples of Futures Bets
There have been plenty of examples around the world of lucky bettors who have earned huge payouts from their futures bets. The most successful futures wager of all time, in fact, was placed by Wisconsin first-time bettor James Adducci, who backed Tiger Woods to win the Masters Tournament in 2019.
Adducci flew to Las Vegas and wagered on Woods, who hadn’t won a championship victory in 11 years, to win at 14-1 odds. The millionaire placed $85,000 on the market, and one month later, Tiger Woods was declared the winner. Adducci took home $1.2 million from his bet, breaking records around the world.
Another betting market that produced several high-valued wins came during the 2015-2015 English Premier Season when Leicester City Football Club odds were posted with 5,000-1 chances of winning. That year, they stunned fans by winning the title, with several bettors earning more than $100,000 from their futures bets.
FAQ
What are futures in relation to sports betting?
A futures bet is a bet on an outcome that will be determined after a series of events. These are unlike standard wagers like moneylines, totals, and spreads in that they will not be settled after a single game. Instead, futures are determined at the end of regular seasons, divisions, conferences, and championships.
How do you bet on futures when wagering online?
Before you can place any real money futures bets, you must first join an online sportsbook that has been licensed in your state. You will need to verify your identity and fund your account to complete the betting process. Then, head to the pre-match betting lobby and find the sport and league you want to back. There will be a dedicated tab for Futures, which could contain team or player performances, whether they be for the MVP of a season or a championship game. Click the odds of the futures market to add it to your bet slip, set your stake, and confirm the wager.
How many types of futures bets are there?
We have listed three main types of futures bets on this page. The first and most popular is a Championship futures bet, which is a wager on the outright winner of the season. For example, this would be the winner of the Super Bowl in the NFL and the winner of the Stanley Cup in NHL betting.
Which sports are best for futures bets?
The best sports leagues for futures bets are the Big Four US Leagues. These include the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA. In all cases, you will be able to back the championship winners, conference and division winners, and player performance awards such as the MVP or best player in the championship game.
How can bettors increase their chances of winning using futures?
The most effective way to improve your chances of winning is to commit to plenty of research. When futures markets are listed pre-season, the odds will be based on the previous seasons’ rankings, updates to lineups, injury reports, and changes in the coaching teams among other important elements. Once the seasons commence, the odds will shift based on the team and player performances.
Conclusion
Futures bets are an exciting wagering opportunity that allows bettors to back teams’ and players’ performances over a regular season, championship, or tournament. If successful, bettors can benefit from extremely favorable odds to win big off of smaller stakes than needed for a moneyline. These are available at all major sportsbooks for many leagues and sports.
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For the best and safest futures bets, consider the legal and licensed sportsbooks listed on this page and use the links to claim welcome bonuses with ease. While you may not be able to use these promotions on futures, they can provide lower-risk betting opportunities. Be sure to always set a budget before playing and gamble responsibly.