MMA betting is more popular than ever, but it can be intimidating for newcomers. There is a lot of information to take in, and many different types of wagers are available. It is important to understand the odds system used by sportsbooks, and to research fighters and fight analysis. It is also important to set a budget and only bet within it. This will help to avoid chasing losses and becoming addicted to gambling.
When betting on MMA, the most basic bet is the moneyline. This bet is based on whether a specific fighter will win the fight. The oddsmakers assign a value to each fighter based on their abilities and record. This is reflected in their odds, with the favorite being more likely to win. The underdogs are usually listed with a minus sign in front of their odds.
In addition to the standard moneyline bet, MMA betting offers prop bets, over/under bets, round bets, and method of victory bets. MMA betting also allows bettors to place parlays, or accumulators, that increase their payouts if all of their selections win. Prop bets are offered for a wide range of things, including how the fight will end (by knockout or submission), what round it will end in, and even if two fighters will touch gloves before their match.
There are three main types of odds expressions: American Odds, Fractional Odds, and Decimal Odds. The odds for a fight are constantly changing, so be sure to check them often. Also, bookmark the MMA section of your sportsbook so you can keep track of future matches. After a while, you will learn the cadence of each sportsbook and be able to predict when the odds for upcoming fights will be posted.
One of the biggest mistakes new bettors make is placing wagers based on emotion or a gut feeling. This is especially common for fans of certain fighters, as it can be tempting to make wagers based on their fandom. Ultimately, this will result in a losing wager. Taking the time to thoroughly research all fights will improve your chances of making profitable bets.
Another mistake that is commonly made is looking for underdogs. While underdogs can offer big payouts, it is important to remember that the oddsmakers have a job to do and are trying to reflect the probability of each fighter winning. It is also a good idea to research fighters’ records, styles, physical attributes, and other factors that may affect the outcome of the fight.
As with NFL and NBA betting, sharps can move the lines in MMA betting. Unlike these leagues, however, the liquidity in the MMA market is low, and large bets from public money can quickly move the odds on a fight. Because of this, it is often best to fade the public in MMA betting, as doing so can provide great line value. For this reason, it is a good idea to only bet on MMA matches that you have spent real time researching.