Soccer (also called Futbol or European Football) betting is very popular in many parts of the world. In fact, the only place that it's not is the United States. The game of soccer can be claimed as the world's true sport, but the United States does not enjoy soccer anywhere near as much as other parts of the globe. As with any other game, it's important to know the game before you put down your cash. Thanks to the Internet keeping up with teams and getting information on foreign teams is a snap. You can find some wild money lines in soccer.
If you are brand spanking new to soccer betting, you are in for a treat--and possibly a headache. One thing that's both good and bad is the number of leagues around the world. It's good because there is plenty of soccer action to wager on, but it can be overwhelming at the same time. It's recommended that you start by focusing on the soccer league(s) in your region or a region that interests you. This will allow you to become an expert in that area and you will do much better. Once you get the hang of it, you can expand your horizons if you want.
To win more money and more consistently you will need to know how a soccer game works--at least to some degree. The more you know about soccer and the more you understand the flow, the better off you will be. This task can be accomplished quickly be browsing some Internet websites and reading the data they offer. While you are searching around, look for pages on some of the teams you might be betting on. Specifically, look for any information on how they play the game and anything about their scoring and defense.
The main question is about money. Can you make real money betting on soccer? The quick answer is yes. Soccer presents some great opportunities for the informed sports bettor. When you place a bet on a soccer match, you bet on the winner outright. There is no point spread--although some sports books do proposition bets with goals. You can also bet on the match ending in a draw, which happens semi-frequently. Betting on the draw usually results in a nice payoff if it comes in. Many draws will be +200 or higher.
The lines in soccer matches are usually pretty interesting. Matches that feature teams who are close in talent have plus-money lines, which is different from other sports. For example, you might have the favorite being a +125 and the underdog being a +175. No matter whom you choose, you are getting value for your money. Even if you are not experienced with soccer betting or soccer in general, it can sometimes be easy to spot the big favorite. Teams that are overwhelmingly dominant in a match might be -500 favorites. Obviously, there's no value here and smart sports bettors should stay away from such matches.
Here's an example betting line.
West Ham United +120
Bolton Wanderers +175
Draw +225
As you can see, there's value in all three wagers and the line is easy to interpret. It's important to note that typically, after 90 minutes of play, the game is final. The sports book might not take Overtime, the Golden Goal rule and penalty kicks (outside of regulation) into consideration.
Overall, soccer betting is definitely something sports bettors should look into. The game gives sports bettors great value for their money and there is plenty of action to go around. If you have not tried betting on soccer yet, give it a look. You just might find your new moneymaker.
