MMA betting offers a wide range of wagering options, including moneyline bets, Over/Under bets and round bets. Parlays (accumulators) and Inplay betting are also popular choices. Understanding the nuances of each type of bet is crucial to maximizing your profits. The best MMA bettors are disciplined, use a variety of tools to assess odds and never place a bet without understanding the risk involved.
The most common bet in MMA is the money line, which reflects a fighter’s chances of winning a fight. The odds are assigned based on a fighter’s perceived strengths and weaknesses, as well as his or her recent performance and injury status. Odds are updated constantly and can fluctuate depending on the betting activity, public perception and even last-minute fighter news.
In addition to standard bets, MMA offers a variety of prop bets, or “proposition bets,” which are exotic bets that focus on specific match details. These bets often offer higher payouts than standard wagers, but require more research and analysis. Some prop bets include the method of victory in a certain round, while others predict whether a specific fighter will win in a given amount of time.
One of the most important factors in MMA betting is familiarity with a fighter’s style. A striker’s ability to land a devastating punch, for example, can dramatically alter the outcome of a fight. A fighter’s mental and physical state is also critical to consider, especially in high-pressure situations.
MMMA matches are scored by judges, who evaluate the fighting styles of both fighters and the overall quality of the contest. Generally, the winner of a match is determined by scoring at least nine points or higher on two of the three judges’ scorecards. If no fighter wins in the allotted time, a split decision is awarded.
If a fight ends in a draw, the bet is considered a push, which means neither fighter won the fight or lost it by a knockout or submission. If a fighter loses by a technical or unanimous decision, the bet is lost. If the fight goes to a second round, a tie is awarded if both fighters receive the same number of points from the judges in the first round.
MMMA rules allow for a third judge to score the match if both fighters have equal numbers of points in the first round. This rule increases the possibility of a tie in the second round and may result in a push in the third. The total for the third round is also set at a lower number than the first two rounds, as a fighter must earn 10 points or more to win the round. OddsJam will cover the complexities of MMA judging in future content, but in short: The fighter with the highest number of points wins. A second-round technical or unanimous decision is a push. A third-round split decision is a push as well.