Enter the realm of futures betting, because this is where predicting future prospects coincides with the hand-over fist motif. You can’t predict: the Super Bowl champion before the season starts, or MVP winners in general. Betting on futures certainly relies a lot on luck, but it’s also just plain old fun with the bookies. This guide will walk you through the first steps, from the basics to some sneaky tips that can give you an edge in the game.
What is Betting on Futures?
So what exactly is betting on futures, you ask? Well, futures betting is a type of wager in which you bet on something that will happen—sometimes several months down the line or all the way until next year. We might call it a forward-looking forecast with an eye fixed on tomorrow… like which team comes through to win the NBA Championship or takes the laurels of World Series champion.
For example, suppose the NFL season has not yet begun, and you have a feeling that this will be the year when the Kansas City Chiefs clinch the Super Bowl title. You can get $100 back at 3-1 by placing a future bet on them right now. If they do make it, your early-season futures bet and choice of 3-1 could result in a big payoff for you. Because the odds were probably better than they would have been—with X team comfortably astride Y division or whatever—when the season started and more was known about how things would shape up.
The last one was received 4 minutes ago
How to Read Futures Odds
Futures odds might strike you as a little complex before you get the hang of it, but eventually, the art and skill will be learned. Futures odds are usually presented in three formats: American, Decimal, or Fractional. Let’s walk through each one with examples:
First of all, these are the more ordinary for America. If you see +500 odds, that means if you bet $100, your correct futures bet pays out $500. If the odds were -200, then it would mean you have to put up $200 to win $100. The plus sign shows what you get on $100, and the minus sign is the amount that must be risked for a $100 ticket home!
These are common in Europe and Canada. They include the overall return you would receive if a bet is successful, plus your stake. E.g. If the price is 3.00, you would receive $3 in return for every $1 staked ($2 profit and your original stake of $1).
These odds are usually seen in the UK, and for example, if a bet was placed with 5/1 fractional odds, it would refer to gaining $5.00 winnings per $1.00 staked on said game or event. It could be viewed as another way of looking at the same concept — what your potential payout will be compared to how much you bet.
Types of Bets
One of the ways to bet on futures is not just about champions, since here a lot of options exist. Here are some of the most popular examples:
🔷 Outright Winner
The traditional futures bet. Ultimately, you are wagering on who will win the thing, be it the Super Bowl, World Series, or Premier League. The sooner you make this futures bet, the better odds will normally be offered (so long as it’s not on a stand-out favorite, of course).
🔷 Conference or Division Winner
You might not want to bet on an overall champion but feel like a team will dominate their conference or division. It is more of a mid-range play, since the size of one relative bookmaker’s exposure may reduce expected payout.
🔷 Season Win Totals
You make a bet on whether you think your team can win more or fewer games than the number set for them in their season. For instance, the Green Bay Packers are set at 9.5 over/under, and you could bet on whether they will get ten or more wins (over) or nine or fewer (under).
🔷 Wager on Player Awards
If you have an emerging young player of rare quality, it might be wise to note that he’s good value at any futures bets as they offer less informed wild guesses equal status. For example, if the rookie wins Most Valuable Player in the NFL, Sixth Man of the Year in basketball, or Baseball’s Cy Young Award for pitchers—not bad at all.
🔷 Statistical Leaders
Predict which player is slated to lead the league in a statistical category, like most home runs or passing yards. Both those futures bets take a bit of player knowledge, and it is simpler to have your gut feeling guide you.
🔷 Prop Bets
These are bets that deal with an event in a season or game. Like the number of homers a player will belt this season, or whether a team will contend for its division.
🔷 Combination Bets
Are you feeling daring? Others take the approach of making multiple futures bets, which may seem like an intelligent way to mix things up, but in reality, they are just slashing their future moneylines. For instance, you could make plays on multiple teams to win their divisions. Now, this can improve the overall odds of winning something; however, it also requires some careful planning and organization.
Pros and Cons
As with all gambling wagers, futures bets come with their respective pros and cons. Here’s a quick rundown
| ✅ Pros: | ❌ Cons: |
|---|---|
| Higher Rewards: Betting way in advance can offer better odds, leading to potentially greater rewards. | Locked-Up Funds: Your money is tied up for months, which could be negative if you prefer quicker returns. |
| Season-Long Investment: Futures bets give you a reason to follow along all year long. | Market Volatility: Injuries, trades, and slumps can greatly alter the landscape, making predictions less accurate. |
| Hedging Opportunities: You can make additional futures bets or hedge to lock in profit as the season progresses. | High Risk: With the potential for great rewards comes significant risk. |
Futures Betting Strategies
By now, you know the essentials, so let’s move on to strategy. However, when it comes to futures betting, it is not just about throwing a guess out there the numbers are against you if you do. Consider these strategies:
- Remove Emotions: Be as objective as you can. Betting on futures with a favorite team can lead to biased decisions.
- Bet at the Best Odds: Shop around different sportsbooks to find the best odds for your futures bets.
- When to Bet: Early futures bets offer better odds, but waiting allows you to see how the season unfolds.
- Diversify: Spread your futures bets across different teams or outcomes to manage risk.
- Hedging: Hedge your futures bet by betting on the opposite result as the season progresses to lock in profits.
- Special Promotions: Look for promotions that can enhance your futures sports betting strategy.
- Betting on Favorites: Smaller odds pay less but are more secure if your futures betting predictions are accurate.
- Buying Low: Identify teams with rough starts but potential for a comeback, and place your future bet when odds are favorable.
Where Can I Place Future Bets?
If you’re ready to dive into futures betting, consider BC Game. Our platform is reliable and secure, offering a wide variety of futures bets. By making futures bets with BC Game, you can easily find what you’re looking for through our user-friendly interface. Whether you’re new to sports betting or a seasoned pro, BC Game makes your futures sports betting experience enjoyable. Plus, you’ll have access to various futures markets that add excitement to your games. Don’t forget to read our terms and conditions to see all the futures betting opportunities available to you at BC Game.
The Bottom Line
Futures betting makes you a prophet in the sense that your predictions could result in massive rewards. That said, the approach is not without risks most notably market volatility and the difficulty of predicting future events. However, if you can learn the odds and employ futures betting strategies, in addition to only trusting established sportsbooks for your gaming needs, you’ll increase your chances of success. Whether you have never bet on sports in your entire life or are a seasoned pro at the book, futures wagering makes for an entertaining way to keep up with some of the biggest events in sports.
