MMA Betting Basics

MMA betting is an exciting way to wager on the next fight, and it can add extra excitement to the live event. But there are some things that bettors should keep in mind before placing any bets. The most important thing is to be selective with your wagers. Don’t bet on every single fight on a card, but only those that you have researched and feel confident about. It’s also important to set limits for yourself, so you don’t spend more than you can afford to lose.

Whether you’re new to MMA betting or a seasoned pro, you should familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of the sport. You can find these by visiting the official website of the organization. In addition, be sure to check out the fighters’ records and previous performances. This will give you an idea of their abilities and strengths. You can also consider factors such as their weight and reach. These factors will affect the outcome of a fight and should be taken into account when making your bets.

One of the most basic MMA bets is the Over/Under Round total, which is a bet on how many rounds the fight will last. Depending on the matchup and style of the fighters, oddsmakers will set an Over/Under number for the expected amount of rounds completed. The Over/Under is then priced according to the probability of the fight meeting or exceeding that number. The higher the Over/Under, the more money you will make on a winning bet.

Other types of MMA bets include method-of-victory wagers, which are based on the type of win a fighter will earn in the fight, such as by KO/TKO, submission, or decision. These bets are often easier to win than standard Moneyline bets, and can offer much larger payouts. In-play betting, also known as live betting, is another great option for MMA bettors, as it allows them to place bets on the fight as it is happening. In-play betting odds are constantly changing based on the action inside the cage, and can be very profitable.

The odds for a fight are displayed on a sportsbook’s website, and can be expressed in three different formats: American Odds, Fractional Odds, and Decimal Odds. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to learn how to read them before placing a bet. Odds will shift throughout the day, based on how bettors are reacting to them, and will continue to change up until the fight happens.

The most common bet is the moneyline, which predicts which fighter will win a particular fight. Odds for this bet are usually given in positive and negative values, with negative numbers indicating that the fighter is considered to be a favorite while positive numbers indicate an underdog. A bettor can also place parlays, which combine multiple bets for a chance at a bigger payout. However, all the selections in a parlay must be correct to win.