In-play MMA betting – also known as live wagering – is the most exciting way to bet on a fight. Live odds are based on betting patterns and can change during the fight, depending on how much people are placing bets on one fighter or another. This can lead to some bettors focusing on what they perceive as the most obvious factors, such as the records of the opponents and their past foes, instead of handicapping the fight with careful analysis of fighting styles.
The key to successful MMA betting is careful research and analysis. This means delving into the details of fighters’ histories and looking at their current form, injuries, style, reach, stance, and other important statistics. It also means understanding the concept of plus and minus, which is how sportsbooks calculate the odds for each bet. This system rewards bettors who correctly predict the winner of a fight, while punishing those who incorrectly pick a loser.
Live betting on MMA is available at most top-rated online sportsbooks. However, it doesn’t offer as many betting options as pre-fight betting. The reason for this is that MMA is a fast-paced sport and the betting market often changes in-fight, especially as the fight progresses. It’s important to be able to move quickly in-fight to place bets when the value is there, before the betting market and sportsbooks adjust the odds accordingly.
Prop bets, parlays (accumulators), over/under, method of victory and round bets are common MMA betting types. Many sportsbooks display three different odds expressions, which include American, fractional and decimal. The most popular odd type is American, which is displayed by default, but bettors can choose the one they prefer from the menu at the top of the page.
It’s also important to understand how MMA odds work, as these can confuse bettors. In MMA betting, the odds tell you how much you can win from the bet, not what the probability of winning is. This is a crucial difference, as bettors often assume that odds are telling them how likely it is for their selection to win, which can cause confusion and misguided thinking.
It’s also important to set a budget and stick to it, as losing bets can quickly drain your bankroll. This can be particularly difficult in MMA betting, as the excitement of the fight can easily lead to excessive wagering. It’s essential to recognise the signs of problem gambling and know when to step away from the table.