Futures
Unlike traditional bets that focus on a single game or match, Future bets allow bettors to speculate on the performance of teams or individuals over an extended period or even an entire season.
Welcome to our comprehensive Futures Betting Guide! As you venture into the world of sports betting, understanding the ins and outs of betting on Futures is essential. This guide aims to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to navigate the often-overlooked realm of sports betting Futures.
From the basics to advanced strategies, our Futures betting guide could help you elevate your sports betting game. So, let's dive into the world of Futures betting and uncover everything you need to know!
Understanding Futures Betting
Future bets, as the name suggests, are wagers placed on events or outcomes that will occur in the future, typically in the medium to long term. Unlike traditional bets that focus on a single game or match, Future bets allow bettors to speculate on the performance of teams or individuals over an extended period or even an entire season.
How betting Futures works?
To fully grasp what a Future bet is, it's essential to understand how Future betting odds work and the process of placing such a wager.
In Futures betting, odds are set by ESPN BET Sportsbook well ahead of the event or season. These odds are based on various factors, such as the teams' past performances, player acquisitions, injuries, and other variables that may impact a team's or individual's chances of success. As events unfold and new information becomes available, we will adjust the odds accordingly.
Here's an example to illustrate how betting on Futures works:
Let's say you want to place a Futures bet on football for the winner of The Big Game before the season begins. ESPN BET Sportsbook and Casino will provide a list of all participating teams, along with their respective odds of winning the championship. The odds may look something like this:
- Kansas City: +500
- Jacksonville: +600
- Minnesota: +800
- Los Angeles: +1000
- Seattle: +1200
These odds represent the implied probability of each team winning The Big Game, with the "+" sign indicating how much you would win if you were to bet $100, however this is not a required bet amount. In this example, if you were to place a $100 bet on Kansas City at +500 odds, you would win $500 if Kansas City won the game.
Keep in mind that Futures betting is a long-term commitment, and your wager will be locked in until the event or season is over. Throughout the season, Future betting odds may fluctuate as teams perform better or worse than expected, or due to unforeseen circumstances such as injuries or suspensions.
How to place a Future Bet?
Placing a Futures wager may seem intimidating at first, but once you understand the process, it's quite straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bet on Futures:
- Log in to your ESPN BET account.
- Navigate to the Futures betting section.
- Select your sport and event.
- Review the odds.
- Make your selections.
- Enter your stake.
- Confirm your bet.
What to know about Futures Betting?
Futures betting can be a potentially rewarding aspect of sports wagering. To make the most of it, it's crucial to understand some key concepts and terms. In this section, we'll discuss the differences between props and Futures.
Differences between Props and Futures
While both props and Futures involve betting on events that will occur in the Future, there are some key differences between the two. Props, short for "proposition bets," typically focus on individual or team achievements within a specific game or match, whereas Futures bets are centered around long-term outcomes, such as the winner of a championship or season.
Props can involve a wide range of scenarios, such as the number of touchdowns a player will score in a game, or the total points scored by both teams in a match. Futures, on the other hand, deal with outcomes that are determined over a longer period, with Future betting odds reflecting the implied probability of these outcomes.
Futures Betting markets
Futures betting is available across a wide range of sports, offering bettors numerous opportunities to wager on long-term outcomes. Let’s explore the main Futures betting markets for American Football, Basketball, Hockey, Baseball, and Soccer, along with examples for each sport.
American Football
Futures bets on American Football are popular among American football fans who want to predict the outcome of events such as The Big Game or conference championships. Some common Futures include:
- Winner of the Big Game
- Conference champion (AFC or NFC)
- Division winner
- Regular season win totals (over/under)
- MVP award winner
Basketball
Futures bets allow basketball enthusiasts to wager on the outcome of events like the NBA Championship or individual player awards. Some typical Futures bets include:
- Championship winner
- Conference champion (Eastern or Western)
- Division winner
- Regular season win totals (over/under)
- MVP award winner
- Rookie of the Year
Hockey
NHL Futures bets provide opportunities for hockey fans to predict the outcome of events such as the Stanley Cup or conference championships. Some common NHL Futures bets include:
- Stanley Cup winner
- Conference champion (Eastern or Western)
- Division winner
- Regular season win totals (over/under)
- MVP award winner (Hart Trophy)
Baseball
Baseball aficionados have the chance to place Future bets on the outcome of events like the World Series or division championships. Some popular Futures bets include:
- World Series winner
- League champion (American or National)
- Division winner
- Regular season win totals (over/under)
- MVP award winner
Soccer
Soccer Future bets are available for various leagues and tournaments worldwide, allowing soccer fans to bet on outcomes like league champions or top goal-scorers. Some common Future bets include:
- League champion (MLS, Premier League, Serie A, etc.)
- Domestic cup winner (MLS Cup, FA Cup, Copa del Rey, etc.)
- Top goal-scorer in a league
- UEFA Champions League winner
- UEFA Europa League winner
- FIFA World Cup winner
How are Future Bets calculated?
Understanding the calculations behind Futures bets is essential for bettors looking to maximize their potential returns. In this section, we'll explain the mechanics of calculating Futures bets and discuss how payouts are determined.
Payouts
The payouts for Futures bets are based on the odds provided by sportsbooks at the time the wager is placed. These odds are expressed in various formats, but in The United States, the main one is the moneyline.
A Futures bet calculator can be a helpful tool for determining your potential payout based on the odds and your stake. But here's a brief overview of how payouts are calculated for each odds format:
Moneyline odds are expressed as positive or negative numbers, indicating how much you stand to win for a $100 wager. Positive odds (e.g., +500) represent the amount you would win for a $100 bet, while negative odds (e.g., -200) represent the amount you need to wager to win $100.
- Payout calculation: (Stake * Odds / 100) + Stake
Let's say you place a $100 bet on a team to win the NBA Championship at +500 moneyline odds. Using the payout calculation formula for moneyline odds, your potential payout would be:
- (100 * 500 / 100) + 100 = $600
This includes your original $100 stake, meaning your total profit would be $500.
What are the advantages of Futures Betting?
Futures betting offers several unique advantages for bettors looking to diversify their sports wagering portfolio. By understanding the potential benefits of Future betting odds, you can determine when and why to consider Futures bets. Some of the key advantages include:
- Attractive odds
- Long-term engagement
- Diversification
- Expertise leverage
- Value opportunities
Futures Betting strategies to consider
To maximize your chances of success in Futures betting, it's essential to employ effective strategies that can enhance your decision-making and overall betting experience. In this section, we'll discuss some Futures betting tips and outline a strategy to help you make more informed wagers.
- Research and analysis: Dive deep into team and player statistics, historical trends, injury reports, and other relevant factors to make well-informed predictions about long-term outcomes.
- Manage your bankroll: Allocate a specific budget for your Futures bets and stick to it, adjusting your bet size according to your overall bankroll.
- Look for value: Keep an eye on betting odds as the season or event progresses.
- Stay patient and disciplined: Futures bets require patience and discipline, as they involve a long-term commitment.
- Embrace contrarian thinking: Going against the grain and backing an underdog or less popular outcome can be a popular choice in Futures betting.
Futures Betting FAQs
Are Future Bets popular?
Yes, Futures bets are popular as they allow bettors to predict long-term outcomes and stay engaged with their favorite sports throughout the season.
What is Futures Betting?
Futures betting is a type of sports wagering where bettors place bets on long-term outcomes, such as championship winners, league standings, or individual awards.
How do Future Bets work?
Future bets involve predicting events that will occur in the Future, such as who will win a championship. Bettors place their wagers based on the odds provided by sportsbooks, which can change over time.
How to read Futures Betting odds?
Futures betting odds are typically expressed as moneyline, fractional, or decimal odds, and represent the potential payout based on your wager. Positive moneyline odds indicate how much you'd win for a $100 bet, while negative odds show how much you need to wager to win $100.
