The sport of mixed martial arts has gained tremendous popularity over the last few years. As a result, sportsbooks are now offering wagers on MMA events. While betting on MMA fights can be a fun and exciting way to experience the action, it’s important for bettors to understand the odds and fighters before placing a bet. In addition, a thorough understanding of the sport’s history and fighting styles is essential to make informed bets.
The first step in mma betting is understanding the odds and how they are calculated. Unlike traditional point spreads on team sports, MMA betting odds are not based on a percentage of money bet on either side of the line. Instead, MMA betting odds are based on a plus and minus system that is simple to understand. A favorite has negative odds (in this case -270) while an underdog has positive odds (in this case +210). The larger the discrepancy between the odds, the greater the payout on a bet.
In addition to the basic MMA betting odds, some sportsbooks offer a variety of other special bets during a match. These include round betting, which allows a bettor to place a bet on which round the fight will end in. This type of bet also offers great payout odds, especially if the fighter wins in the final round of the fight. Another popular MMA betting option is the method of victory bet, which is placed on whether a fighter will win by KO, TKO, submission, or decision.
A good MMA handicapper will know that the sport is very dynamic and that odds for a given match can shift dramatically from the time they open to the time they close. This is due to a number of factors, including public perception and the fact that sportsbooks seek to balance bets on both sides of the fight.
When making a bet on an MMA event, a bettor should also consider the fact that most of the fighters in the sport are well rounded and train in several different disciplines. Nevertheless, even the most successful fighters have strengths and weaknesses that can be exploited by opponents.
Another important aspect of MMA betting is the use of parlays. Parlays are bets that combine two or more individual bets on the same event to create a single large wager with higher odds. When done correctly, parlays can yield significant profits for savvy MMA bettors.
One of the biggest mistakes MMA bettors make is getting too greedy when placing parlays. This can lead to a blown bankroll in a short period of time. For this reason, it’s essential for MMA bettors to manage their bankrolls and stick to a sensible betting strategy. In the long run, this will save bettors money and increase their winning potential.
