Betting on Underdogs Explained

Betting on underdogs can be rather satisfying and as colorful as the story behind the term – underdog.

Dating back to the late 19^th century when it signified a losing dog in a stigmatized practice of dog fighting, underdog now stands for a team that is unlikely to beat the firm favorite in a contest.

Underdogs are those lower-quality sides bookmakers are betting against by placing high-priced odds on. Backing the favorites is deeply rooted within the psychological aspects of betting and sports in general which state there is a universal mentality which pushes the public to root for favorites.

Going against the strong wind by backing the underdogs is therefore not only fun and daring, but it can be quite rewarding.

How to Bet on Underdogs?

The worst thing you can do and the biggest mistake you can make with betting on underdogs is to bet randomly, without a clear-cut system and a sound strategy that will help you maximize potential winnings.

A refined strategy for betting on underdogs is hard to create, but the most crucial aspect that can improve your underdog betting chances significantly is finding betting value. This particular thing, like many others in life, have knowledge as its key.

Understanding that underdogs come in various forms and shapes, which are quite different from one sport to another, is crucial. An underdog in football and an underdog in tennis, in the most popular example, are two different categories and betting on those must be approached from a different perspective.

Football vs Tennis

Speaking from a football perspective, punters need to analyze the stats, head-to-head records, squad quality, and form, but should never neglect the psychological aspect. Let’s say we have Premier League giants pitted against a Championship outfit in the FA Cup – a competition known for surprises and upsets.

We need to have in mind that lowly teams rarely head into these games with pressure on their shoulders as they play for the fun of it and for the pure joy. Adrenaline plays a great role here as these teams have nothing to lose and give all to beat their more illustrious opponents. On the other side, favorites are expected to deliver and the expectancy can be their enemy in this regard, which is why they tend to fail. It is up to you to recognize value, potential and pounce for it.

When it comes to tennis, things can be a bit different. In order to recognize the true value of an underdog, punters need to do their homework. All of you who plan to bet on tennis should gain extensive knowledge of the game, preferably on low-ranked players who are pushing their way into the ATP Series from Challengers and Futures. Some bookies tend to disregard such players and diminish their true value which can be significant for a knowledgeable bettor.

This comes to play best when we have an established top-100 tennis player playing against a – let’s say – Grand Slam qualifier and especially when the two players haven’t met before. With high-value betting odds disregarding the underdog’s true value, it might be a good choice to back him/her early in the competition, when motivation, stamina, and morale are at their best.