Betting on MMA can be intimidating for anyone who hasn’t placed bets on team sports before. It requires discipline and a good understanding of the sport’s rules to place winning bets. It’s also important to remember that MMA betting is inherently risky, so it’s important to bet responsibly and only place bets you can afford to lose.
The most basic MMA bet is the moneyline, which is a wager on a fighter to win the fight. The odds for a moneyline bet are determined by the bookmaker and reflect how likely it is that the chosen fighter will win the fight. The odds are typically displayed in American Odds, although some sportsbooks also offer fractional and decimal odds as well. The higher the odds on a fighter, the more money a bet will pay out.
Another popular MMA betting option is the over/under rounds bet, which is a wager on how many rounds the fight will last. The oddsmakers set the over/under total based on the fighting styles of the two fighters and the number of scheduled rounds for the fight. The over/under price, which includes the house’s vig (or juice), is then based on the implied probability of the fight reaching that total.
Round betting can be extremely profitable if you know what to look for. Depending on the fighters’ style and how aggressive they are, you can make an educated guess as to how many rounds the fight will last. In addition, the style of a fighter’s opponent can affect how many rounds the fight will last. For example, a southpaw fighter may be at a disadvantage against an orthodox fighter due to the fighter’s unfamiliarity with that stance.
In addition to the over/under, some MMA sportsbooks will offer exact-round betting. This type of MMA betting can be very lucrative, as you’re wagering on the precise round that the fight will end in. Depending on the betting patterns, the amount of action in a certain round, and any news about the fighters, the round betting odds can change from the moment they open up to the time of the fight.
One thing that bettors should keep in mind when placing MMA fights is the impact of weight cuts on the outcome of a fight. Fighters that struggle to make the weight limit must undergo extreme measures to make the cut, such as starving themselves and dehydrating themselves, which can leave them drained of energy by the time they hit the octagon. This can have a detrimental effect on their performance, and bettors should be mindful of this when capping a fight. A knockout loss, especially a devastating one, can also have a lasting effect on a fighter and change their approach inside the cage.