Main Bet vs Side Bet

A main bet is placing a bet on the direct final outcome of a game. There are three possibilities to place your bet on, i.e. team A, team B or draw. Individuals can bet on all of the possibilities as well.

A side bet is a bet placed over and above a main bet. A side bet is placed on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a specific event during a football game. A side bet need not directly affect the final outcome of a game.

Side Bets In Detail

A side bet is also referred to as a proposition bet, novelty or just prop. People that bet on the result of soccer games can go further by betting on specific events within a game. This can be to offset any losses or to earn more from an existing bet on a game.

Some side bets that can be made during a game include:

1. Both teams to score in the game
2. Accurately predicting the final scoreline
3. Draw no bet (no bet in case of a draw result)
4. A double result
5. Match handicap
6. Double Chance (betting on two possible results)
7. Total goals scored in a match
8. Goals in the first 5, 10, 20, etc. minutes of a game
9. Corners
10. Yellow Cards/red cards
11. Player to score or assist
12. Half markets (betting on the first or second half of a game)
13. Own goals

The above list of side bets is just an example of the side bets available. Side bets go into more detail when compared to main bets. It is important to have knowledge of specific game events that are likely to occur during a given game. This means an in-depth squad analysis, pattern analysis, analysis of previous games, evaluating the referee, style of play, etc.

Odds On Side Bets

The odds on side bets are really high, meaning some serious profit. But it is really hard to accurately predict the occurrence of an event. Make side bets when you know for sure something may happen.

For example, Team A scores late goals in most of their matches this season. Making a side bet on team A scoring after the 70th or 80th minute makes sense.