Online football betting, choosing betting options, and analyzing odds are no longer unfamiliar to many bettors. In addition to popular bets such as the score bet, over/under bet, handicap bet, and corner kick bet, there are still some equally attractive side bets, including the offside bet. So, let's learn how to play the offside bet and increase your chances of winning with Wintips through this article.
Understanding What Offside Means in Football
For avid fans of the sport, the term 'Offside' is undoubtedly a familiar one. But what exactly is an offside in football?
What is Offside in Football?
Before delving into how to play, gamers need to understand what offside means in football. It's a term frequently used in football, referring to an offensive player being in a position closer to the opponent's goal line than the last defending player when receiving the ball from a teammate. This concept was introduced by FIFA and is considered a common infraction in football matches.
In the rules of football, the offside rule is designed to make the game more beautiful, promote the development of football tactics, and diversify strategies, such as trapping opponents in offside positions.
In football betting, offside violations have also been incorporated by many online bookmakers as a form of online betting. Offside bets are often available in major tournaments like the World Cup, Copa America, Euro, and more.
Offside bets come in various forms, similar to over/under bets, handicap bets, and Asian handicap bets. Bettors can choose the most suitable type of bet and start learning how to analyze odds to increase their chances of winning.
Identifying Offside Violations
To accurately analyze offside bets, players need to know the situations in which referees blow the offside whistle. A player will be considered offside if they meet the following four conditions:
The player is in the opponent's half of the field.
There are fewer than two opposing players between the player and the opponent's goal line compared to the ball.
The player is involved in the play.
The player is positioned ahead of the ball in the attacking direction.
With the evolution of football, the offside rule has become more stringent. Moreover, with the assistance of VAR technology, offside violations can be determined even if just a part of a player's body participating in the play is found beyond the last defending player of the opposing team.
Types of Offside Betting in Football
Currently, there are several types of offside betting available at various bookmakers for gamers to choose from. However, the two most popular types are as follows:
Handicap Offside Bet
This type of bet is offered by many bookmakers based solely on the statistics of the two participating teams, considering their current form, past head-to-head records, player lineups, and more. Using this information, bookmakers will set their own handicap odds for bettors to consider.
Different bookmakers may offer different types of handicap bets, so bettors need to choose the most suitable bookmaker for a safe and transparent betting experience.
Total Offside Bet
The total offside bet represents the combined number of offsides committed by both teams. Depending on the specific match and tournament, bookmakers may offer one or multiple types of offside bets. Bettors can use these odds to place bets on individual halves or the entire match.
Bet on the 'over' if the total offside odds are higher than the bookmaker's odds.
Bet on the 'under' if the total offside odds are lower than the bookmaker's odds.
For example, if the total offside odds are 3/3.5 and the combined number of offsides exceeds 5, the 'over' bet wins in full, while the 'under' bet loses completely. If the combined number of offsides is exactly 3, the 'over' bet wins half, and the 'under' bet loses half.
However, if the bookmaker offers total offside odds of 4, and the combined number of offsides exceeds 4, the 'over' bet wins in full, while the 'under' bet loses completely. If the combined number of offsides is 4, the 'over' bet wins in full, and the 'under' bet loses completely.
Tips for Accurate Offside Betting at Bookmakers
After understanding what offside bets are, players can increase their chances of winning by considering some expert tips when betting on offside at online bookmakers, as follows:
Study the offside charts of both teams in recent matches.
These statistics are crucial for offside bets. Players should examine the offside statistics of both teams. If the charts of both teams are relatively stable, players can consider placing 'over' and 'under' bets by adding and evenly dividing the combined number of offsides from the last 10 matches of both teams.
Then, they can determine whether to bet on the 'over' or 'under' based on the result. If one of the teams is experiencing poor form, players should consider switching to a different type of bet with more predictable odds.
Understand the defensive strategies of each team.
Before each match, bettors should gather information about the match's specific characteristics. High-stakes matches in major tournaments are typically more competitive, making it easier to analyze offside bets.
Researching match information should not stop at observing the playing style of both teams; bettors should also learn about the starting lineups, injury statuses, and the disciplinary records of individual players to make the most accurate bet.
Choose the appropriate betting timing.
The timing of placing bets plays a crucial role in whether bettors can win their bets or not. For offside bets, the betting time is usually within 45 minutes (if betting on the first half) and 90 minutes (if betting on the entire match).
For novice bettors who are new to sports betting, it's advisable to opt for 90-minute bets instead of 45-minute bets. After observing the match's rhythm for some time, bettors can have a better understanding of which side the odds are leaning towards and make the most suitable bet.
In Conclusion
Through this article, you should now have a better understanding of offside bets in football and how to play them for a higher chance of winning. This side bet offers simple rules and adds a significant level of excitement to the game. If you're a true football fan, don't miss out on the offside bet.
