Unraveling the Details:

Pump Up Your Palms and Get Ready to Bet!

Armwrestling, a test of strength and will, has captivated people for centuries. This intense competition is like a duel between two combatants, facing off to pin down one another's hand on a table first. Although it's not an Olympic sport, it's massively popular in Europe and North America, leaving some bookmakers swimming in green by offering lines on this thrilling event.

History of the Brawl

trace back to ancient combats called "hand-to-hand combat." The first official competition happened in 1952, in the good ol' USA. Ten years after, international games rocked the globe. From 1969, competitions spread like wildfire across the USA, with TV coverage increasing its fame.

In 1977, the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) made this sport official as the real deal. The first Russian tournament kicked off in 1989, with a local athlete raising the world championship trophy just three years later.

Here's the No-Nonsense Rules

There are a bunch of rules to follow, but here are some key ones:

Dress code is casual (no fancy dress allowed), and hands are bare with no bandages or wraps on the wrists or elbows;
When your name is called, beam to the battlefield with your opponent within 2 minutes, or it's a loss for you;
The free hand can grasp the table's protruding pin and lean the elbow on the table's edge;
Fouls like ignoring the referee's instructions or a false start result in a warning. Rack up two warnings, and you'll get disqualified.

Astonishingly, there are over 20 rules in total, with two referees ensuring everyone plays fair.

Big-Time Tournaments to Watch

Every year, the World and European Armwrestling Championships roll into town. With 11 men's and 8 women's weight categories, this event sprinkles medals for both hands separately in each weight category. Participants can show off their two-handed dominance simultaneously.

The TOP-8 tournament, first held in 2019, is popular amongst fans. In this event, the top 8 warriors from around the globe, hand-picked based on their Unified Rating in Professional Armwrestling, go head-to-head for the ultimate title.

Time to Pound Those Bookies

Mindful bettors can capitalize on bookmakers' commonly careless odds setting. These mistakes often present opportunities for sharp bettors to take advantage. By focusing on the head-to-head history (a deal-breaker in one-on-one sports) and closely monitoring athletes' injuries, you can get a leg up on the bookies. Keep an eye on athletes' social media accounts for updates on their health status.

A handful of legal bookmakers offer bets not only for prestigious arm wrestling events but also for regional competitions. Standouts on the global betting scene include:

Linebet: A trusted platform with a global presence, boasting live betting options for various sports, including arm wrestling.
1xBet: Apart from esports and traditional sports, this bookmaker offers an extensive range of betting markets. Although arm wrestling may not be explicitly mentioned, it's worth checking for hidden treasures in their sportsbook.

A Few Tips for Russia and USA Betting

Russia:

In Russia, it's essential to look for bookmakers licensed by the Federal Taxation Service. Options like 1xBet and Parimatch are well-known in the region, but arm wrestling bets may not be continuously available. Check their websites or customer service for updates on what's offered.

USA:

With online sports betting regulated state by state, prominent bookmakers like FanDuel and DraftKings focus on major sports. For niche sports like arm wrestling, explore smaller, specialized platforms or reach out to local sportsbooks to inquire about their betting markets.

Well-informed punters can test their luck against bookmakers, exploiting numerous errors they make when setting odds in this action-packed sport. Armed with knowledge, patience, and a keen eye for opportunity, arm wrestling fans can cash in on the thrilling world of betting.

Armwrestling, a sport initially traced back to ancient hand-to-hand combat, first officially competed in the United States in 1952.
The World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) made this sport official in 1977, and the first Russian tournament took place in 1989.
In 2019, the TOP-8 tournament was established, featuring top arm wrestlers from around the world.
Fans in Russia and the USA can capitalize on bookmakers' errors in setting odds for armwrestling events by focusing on head-to-head history, monitoring athletes' injuries, and checking out legal bookmakers like Linebet and 1xBet.