How to Bet on Tennis? Comprehensive Guide For Beginners in Tennis Betting
If you are new to tennis betting, the market can be confusing as there are many selections and odds to choose from. However, this complete guide to tennis and wagering shares everything you need to know about the possible sports betting options.
What is Tennis Betting?
Betting on tennis is when a player goes to a bookmaker and selects a match to wager on. Then, the bettor will select their favoured odds from a range of markets and place a stake on their wager.
Often, players choose matchwinner markets at a sportsbook. However, other options like set bets, number of points and handicaps are also available.
Where to Bet on Tennis in Zambia?
Before you start betting on tennis, review some of the best betting sites in Zambia. Ultimately, taking time to select your preferred sportsbook means you can find all your preferred odds, free bets and services in one place.
Tennis Betting Odds Explained
Currently, you are likely to see different types of tennis odds at Zambian online bookmakers. You can learn about the odds used in pre-match and live betting for tennis in the section below.
Fractional
First, a common odds type for tennis matches is fractional odds. These odds are displayed in a fraction amount that shows how much you will receive if your bet is successful.
For example, if Novak Djokovic is going to play Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic might have 2/1 odds. This means for every 2 ZMW you place on Djokovic to win; you will get 1ZMW in return from the bookmaker.
Decimal
Recently, decimal odds have grown in popularity on betting sites. Decimal odds use numbers to show how much your winning bet will multiply by if it wins.
For instance, if your selected bet had 1.8 odds, you would receive a 1.8 increase for every ZMW you stake.
American
Some sportsbooks also use American odds, which consists of minus and plus symbols to showcase the pre-match favourite and underdog. The number after the plus or minus symbol shows how much you would win for every $100 or equivalent you stake.
For example, if Stefanos Tsitsipas were about to play Stan Wawrinka, Tsitsipas would likely be the pre-match favourite. Therefore, he might have odds of -110 to win, meaning you would get $110 for every $100 staked.
Tennis Betting Markets Explained
Similarly to most sports, tennis has lots of available betting markets. As a result, players have hundreds of selections for tennis matches. Here, you can learn more about the most famous tennis markets.
Match Betting
Firstly, match betting is one of tennis’s most common pre-match and live selections.
Also known as a Matchwinner bet, players simply choose the overall winner of an upcoming match. There are no draws in tennis, so there are only two possible outcomes to select from.
Point Bets
Another standard option is a points bet. Players choose the total number of points in a match, set or league game.
Usually, players can select either the exact total number of points or under/over a certain number. Moreover, bettors can choose the number of points per player or for an individual player.
Sets
Sets betting is where punters wager on outcomes and occurrences during individual sets.
Some options in this market include a player to the set, total points and handicaps. Additionally, bettors can back one player to win an entire match in straight sets.
Handicaps
Sportsbooks today will generally provide handicap betting options for tennis matches. As the standard ranges hugely in professional tennis, the handicap market is used often in this sport.
A handicap bet is when a bettor selects one player, usually the stronger player, to have a minus set or game handicap before the game begins. Then, the player must overcome the handicap to win the bet.
For instance, you might select one player to have a -1 set disadvantage to begin the game. Then, if this player wins by two clear sets, such as 3-1, 4-1, 3-0, etc, the bet wins.
Future Markets
A future bet in sports is when a punter chooses a final outcome of a competition before it begins. One of the most popular future selections is betting on the outright competition winner.
However, alternative options are available, like the player to win the most games or the best-performing wildcard entrant.
How to Bet on Tennis in Zambia?
Before you start wagering on any tennis match or competition, consider using a few betting tips. Generally, players with a strategy and commitment to pre-match research make informed and knowledgeable decisions.
As a result, you can avoid random selections in different betting markets.
Check Player Form
Firstly, player form is a significant factor in any tennis match. Competitors thrive on winning momentum and form, often giving them a psychological edge.
Therefore, you can check a player’s previous results for the season to see how they are competing. For example, if Carlos Alcaraz has won his last five matches in straight sets, he is in good form.
Also, you can quickly browse the ATP and WTA world rankings for a quick snapshot of how well a player is performing. The higher a player’s ranking, the better their form for the season.
Look For Injuries
Often, injuries in tennis can have a big impact on player performance. Therefore, it is crucial to find out if a player has suffered from a recent injury.
Then you can use this information to make an informed decision in your tennis bets.
Also, if a player returns to competition after a long-term injury, be cautious, as their performance levels might dip after a significant layoff.
Head-to-Head Games
Before making tennis bets, look at how the competing players have performed in previous meetings.
Generally, some players will have a good streak against another opponent. In contrast, others might have a poor record against one particular competitor.
As a result, you can see which player might have the edge in upcoming tennis matches.
Head-to-head tips work well when two players are evenly matched so you can see who might have the slight advantage in the betting markets.
Keep a Tennis Betting Journal
Lastly, an effective long-term strategy is to keep a betting journal. You can track all matches you have wagered on across the season with a journal.
Then you can filter through your bets to find patterns and selections that have worked well.
Overall, you can use a journal in different ways. For example, you can track just your matchwinner selections.
But you can go more in-depth and log your game bets, set selections and total number of points betting.
Most Important Tennis Events
Each season, some of the biggest tennis tournaments take place. These are also called the four majors of Grand Slams.
Often, these competitions are the most competitive and fiercely contested in men’s and women’s tennis. Only a select few players win these coveted tournaments throughout their careers.
You can learn more about the tennis calendar’s four biggest events here.
Wimbledon
One of the most well-known major tournaments is Wimbledon. The competition is the longest-running tennis event in the world, and Wimbledon betting is hugely popular worldwide.
It started in 1877, and 135 editions of the prestigious competition have been played.
In addition, Wimbledon is the only of the Grand Slams that is played on a grass surface.
Each year, the event is held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon.
Some of the best-ever players have competed and won at Wimbledon. Former player Roger Federer won the tournament eight times, while Novak Djokovic is the current title holder.
In the women’s singles event, former player Martina Navratilova won the most titles, with nine, and Elena Rybakina won the 2022 competition.
US Open
The US Open is the final major played each season, and it takes place at Flushing Meadows in New York. In 1881, the first US Open was played on grass before it moved to a clay surface, and it is now contested on hard courts.
Since its formation, the US Open has seen many multiple winners. US players have some of the most long-standing records in this competition.
For example, American men’s players Richard Sears, William Larned and Bill Tilden have all won the tournament seven times. Similarly, US women’s player Molla Mallory holds the record for eight singles titles.
In 2022, Carlos Alcaraz won the US Open title in the men’s singles category at just 19 for the women. Polish player Iga Swiatek lifted the title last time out.
Australia Open
The opening Grand Slam of the tennis season is the Australian Open, which takes place in January each year. Originally, the competition was held on a grass surface. But, in 1998, the surface changed to hard courts when it moved to Melbourne Park.
The Australian Open is one of the newer major tennis tournaments, and it was first held in 1905. Annually, the event overlaps with the national holiday Australia Day, one of the most attended sports events in the Southern Hemisphere.
Serbian player Novak Djokovic holds the title for men’s singles. Also, he won his tenth Australian Open title in January 2023 after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
Former Australian player Margaret Court dominated the women’s singles title as she won the competition 11 times. In 2023, Aryna Sabalenka won her first major title at the Australian Open.
French Open
The French Open (also called the Roland Garros) is the only clay-court Grand Slam held in Paris each season. However, until 1975, it was the only major tennis competition not held on a grass surface.
The first Roland Garros took place in 1891 and was initially played on a sand surface. But it changed to clay in 1908.
Also, the event was not considered a Grand Slam until 1925, when it joined Wimbledon, the Australian Open and US Open.
Recently, Spanish player Rafael Nadal has dominated the French Open and has 14 titles at the event. In the women’s competition, US player Chris Evert holds the most French Open wins with seven.
Summary
Once you know how to place a wager, you can join a betting site and place a tennis bet. Bettors have a variety of sportsbooks to choose from, with several pre-match and future markets on offer.
Some of the most famous tennis betting options are betting on individual games and sets. But some players also like to wager on future bets, such as tournament winners.
However, before committing to a wager, consider using some betting tips. A short amount of research on an upcoming game or competition can help you make sensible betting choices in the long term.
In addition, you can apply these tips to other sports, likehow to bet on football.
How to Bet on Tennis in Zambia? – FAQ
To conclude this complete betting guide on tennis events and markets, you can view answers to common questions about the sport.
Is tennis betting legal in Zambia?
Currently, Zambian bettors can register and deposit funds at licensed bookmakers. Always check that a brand has a valid Zambian betting licence before you commit to the site.
How do I place a bet on live tennis?
Live betting on tennis games is straightforward once you have a betting account. Simply head to the sportsbook, go to the live section and select your preferred match.
Then, choose your in-play odds, set your stake and confirm the bet. Also, remember to utilise the same tips in live betting that apply to pre-match wagers.
What are the popular tennis betting platforms in Zambia?
1xBet, Gal Sport Betting and Betway are the most popular Zambian tennis sites.
How do I open an account with a tennis betting platform?
You will need to register with your preferred betting site. You must provide personal details, like your name, address and phone number. Also, check to see if your chosen provider has any welcome offers or free bets for new players before signing up.
