Betting on the World Cup
When it comes to World Cup Football, there are fewer sports out there that could possibly be more exciting. When the World Cup games begin, many a Football fan the world over will be glued to the television, staunchly standing by their team. This is truly a “world” event.
And usually, the size of that enthusiasm is matched by the size of the bets that are placed.
There are many who consider betting on World Cup Football one of the biggest gambling events out there, as evidenced by the sheer number of bets placed on this spectacle. The event actually makes up for two parts: The qualification phase and the final phase. The qualification phase is fairly cut and dry. It is this phase that many teams via to make it to the “final 32” that qualify for the finals, and is played over several years prior to the actual World Cup. The actual “World Cup”, if you will, is a 32-team tournament where the best team is determined. It is because of these two phases that there are many potential betting opportunities, and as a result, a significant chance to make some good money.
In general terms, betting can be done one of two ways – bet on individual games (this can happen in qualifying rounds as well as the finals), or betting on a team advancing to a certain point. Betting odds are all over the place, generally conforming to the standards of the venue/country taking the bet (moneyline in the US, fractional odds in the UK, decimal odds in Europe, etc.) So be aware of where you are betting.
The other neat thing about World Cup betting is the fact that many bets are made for a team even making the final tournament. For some Football powers (like Brazil, England, and Germany) it’s a given that they will make the tournament – in fact, if they do not, it’s a national disgrace. But for other countries (like the US in the 80’s) just making the final tournament is a victory in itself. So a lot of betting is done before the World Cup even begins.
Like other soccer bets, there are exotic wagers as well. Bet who will score the first goal (or “gooooooooaaaaaaaaaal” if you prefer), who will make the first penalty kick, who will get red carded, etc. The possibilities are endless.
Have fun with those bets, and may your national team bring home the victory!
