Ranking the Toughest Sports for Gambling (From Least Difficult to Most Challenging)
In the world of sports betting, some games are notoriously difficult to predict, making them a challenge for even the most seasoned of bettors. Here, we take a look at the sports that experts deem the hardest to bet on profitably.
Soccer, often cited as one of the toughest sports to bet on, presents several obstacles for bettors. The low-scoring nature of games, the frequency of upsets, and the psychological trap of overconfidence in favourites or parlays are all factors that contribute to its difficulty. Bettors frequently fall into patterns such as trusting big-name teams, which can lead to losses as oddsmakers compensate for favourites.
An analysis of 10,000 soccer bets revealed that most bettors lost not due to luck but because of poor strategies such as chasing parlays and overvaluing favourites. Even experienced bettors can be undone by last-minute goals or unexpected results.
Combat sports like MMA and boxing are also highly unpredictable due to the quick and often decisive outcomes. A single error, a sudden knockout, or a controversial judge’s decision can change the result of a fight. There is also a general lack of livestreaming and comprehensive data for some martial arts, making research and informed betting more challenging.
While there is a wide range of data and stats available for top-tier events like UFC, smaller or less televised fights can be erratic. The unpredictability is compounded by the variety of ways a fight can be decided (knockout, submission, decision).
Despite their challenges, soccer and combat sports are not the only difficult sports to bet on. American football, especially at the college level, is considered easier and more profitable for bettors who do their research. The availability of extensive data, structured play, and more predictable patterns make it easier for informed bettors to find profitable opportunities.
In summary, soccer and combat sports are widely regarded as the hardest sports to bet on due to their unpredictability and the fallibility of common betting strategies. American football, especially at the college level, is considered easier and more profitable for bettors who do their research. Knowledge and research are crucial for success in sports betting, regardless of the sport or level of experience.
References: [1] Bettingexpert.com, 'Why is soccer betting so hard?' (accessed 1st March 2023) [2] Sportsbetting.ag, 'How hard is it to bet on MMA?' (accessed 1st March 2023) [3] Action Network, 'The best sports to bet on and the worst' (accessed 1st March 2023) [4] Gambling.com, 'The best sports to bet on and the worst' (accessed 1st March 2023) [5] Covers.com, 'The best sports to bet on and the worst' (accessed 1st March 2023)
Football (soccer), along with combat sports like MMA and boxing, are often considered the hardest sports for profitable betting due to their unpredictability and the challenges they present to bettors. The low-scoring nature and frequency of upsets in soccer, coupled with a tendency to favor big-name teams, can lead to losses despite a favorable position.
In combat sports, quick and decisive outcomes, the general lack of livestreaming and comprehensive data, and the variety of ways a fight can be decided, contribute to their difficulty. American football, especially at the college level, is considered easier for informed bettors due to its availability of extensive data, structured play, and predictable patterns.
Both basketball and American football (NBA and NFL) offer opportunities for successful sports-betting, but require extensive research for optimal returns. The availability of reliable data, the structured nature of play, and predictable patterns in games make them somewhat easier to predict compared to soccer and combat sports.
Golf is another challenging sport for betting because of its individual nature and the various factors that can impact performance, such as weather conditions, player form, and course history. Baseball, while offering fewer high-intensity moments, presents its own complexities due to its long duration and multiple factors that can influence outcomes, such as pitcher matchups and batting stats.
Overall, the key to successful sports-betting is knowledge and research, regardless of the sport or level of experience. It's essential to analyze historical data, track current trends, and adjust strategies accordingly to minimize losses and maximize profits.
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