Betting on sports has become a prominent activity in Australia, with between one and two million Australians placing bets at least once a year.
Of the various sports, Australian Rules Football (AFL) remains the most popular among bettors, with 58.5% of regular online gamblers reporting it as their go-to sport. This comes as no surprise considering the massive cultural significance of the AFL, which features 18 clubs and a season running from March to September. During these months, betting activity peaks as local bookmakers roll out special promotions, such as the Bet365 referral code, that beginners can use while signing up.
AFL betting offers various options, from straightforward match winners to complex multi-leg bets, allowing fans to combine their passion for the sport with wagering. However, to start with betting on AFL, understanding these options is very important.
Key AFL Betting Markets
When betting on the AFL, understanding the different markets is essential. Some bets are straightforward, while others require a deeper understanding of the game.
Head-to-Head (H2H) Betting
The simplest and most common form of AFL betting is head-to-head, or H2H betting. This market is easy to grasp for beginners—you are simply betting on which team will win the match. For example, let’s say the Richmond Tigers are listed at $1.65 to win, while the Essendon Bombers are at $2.30. If you bet $100 on Richmond and they win, you would receive $165 in total. On the other hand, a $100 bet on Essendon would yield $230 if they managed to pull off an upset.
H2H betting is straightforward and doesn’t require much more than a basic knowledge of the teams involved. However, it’s always wise to consider factors such as team form, injuries, and home ground advantage before placing your bet.
Line Betting
In line betting, bookmakers set a margin (handicap) to level the playing field between teams of varying strengths. If Geelong Cats are -12.5 points against Adelaide Crows, a bet on Geelong will only win if they beat the Crows by 13 points or more.
Conversely, a bet on Adelaide wins if they either win the game outright or lose by fewer than 13 points.
Total Points (Over/Under)
The over/under market, often referred to as total points betting, revolves around the total number of points scored in a game by both teams. The bookmaker will set a line, for instance, 165.5 points, and your task is to predict whether the combined score of the two teams will be over or under that number.
Over/under betting is popular for games where the result might seem too unpredictable to confidently back a winner. Instead of focusing on which team will come out on top, bettors can use their knowledge of the teams’ offensive and defensive strengths to predict the overall pace and scoring of the game.
Advanced Betting Options
If you’re confident and want to go beyond the basics, several advanced betting markets can add excitement and challenge to your AFL betting experience.
Same Game Multi
A Same Game Multi is one of the most popular bet types in AFL, which allows you to combine multiple bets (known as ‘legs’) from the same game.
You can bet on the winner, the margin, and specific player performances all in one wager. If all your legs win, the payout can be substantial. However, the more legs you add, the riskier the bet becomes.
Player Props
Player prop bets focus on individual performances, making them ideal for fans who really know their players. Instead of betting on the overall outcome of the game, you’re wagering on things like how many disposals a player might rack up or how many goals they’ll score. For example, you might bet on a midfielder to get 25+ disposals or a forward to score 2+ goals.
These kinds of bets allow you to apply your knowledge of player form and trends. If a forward has been in great scoring form lately, backing them to hit the scoreboard multiple times can be a smart move that adds more excitement to watching the game.
Futures Markets
Futures bets allow you to predict long-term outcomes, such as which team will win the AFL Premiership or which player will take home the Brownlow Medal. These markets open before the season starts and can offer higher odds, but they also require a lot of patience.
Summary
Betting on AFL can be thrilling, but it’s essential to understand the various markets and strategies to increase your chances of success.
From basic head-to-head bets to more complex Same Game Multis and player props, there’s a market for every level of bettor. Whether you’re betting for fun or looking to win big, always approach it with a solid strategy, stay informed, and gamble responsibly. http://gty.im/2167194412
