Quick summary
This article explains what a side bet is, how it works, and why they’re popular among professional bettors. We’ll explore the most common types of side bets, provide real-life examples, and discuss how these bets add excitement, value, and variety to your betting experience. For more articles like this, visit our blog, The Advantage.
Looking for extra action in your betting?
If you’ve ever wanted to go beyond the basic “who will win?” question, side bets are designed for you. They let you wager on smaller, specific events within a match, rather than the overall outcome.
In this guide, we’ll explain what side bets are, how they work, and why they’re both exciting and risky in sports betting.
What is a side bet?
A side bet is a wager placed on a specific aspect of a game that isn’t directly tied to the final result. Instead of betting on who wins, you might bet on:
- Which player will score the first goal?
- How many three-pointers a player will hit?
- Whether the first half will end with an odd or even number of goals?
Side bets can be offered by sportsbooks or agreed upon informally between friends. They’re often smaller, fun bets, but they can add variety and value when used wisely.
How do side bets work?
- Identify the market: Side bets are listed separately from the main match line.
- Place your wager: Choose your selection, stake, and odds (usually higher because of increased risk).
- Outcome decided: The bet settles based on that specific event, regardless of the match winner.
Examples of side bets
Football (Soccer) side bet
- Main bet: Manchester City to beat Arsenal.
- Side bet: Jeremy Doku to register an assist.
- Even if City loses, the side bet can still win if Jeremy Doku provides an assist.
Types of side bets
- Player props: These are wagers on individual athlete performance, such as who will score the first goal or how many rebounds a player will record.
- Team props: These bets focus on team-level outcomes, like total corners in a soccer match or points scored by a team in the first half of a basketball game.
- Novelty bets: These are non-game-related wagers, including outcomes like the coin toss, length of the national anthem, or halftime show events.
- Micro-bets: These are in-play wagers on immediate events, such as the result of the next play in football or the next point in tennis.
- Friendly side bets: These are informal bets made between friends, often for fun, like predicting who will score next during a game watch party.
Difference between side bets and main bet
Main bet
- Definition: Wager on the overall outcome of a game (win, loss, or spread).
- Focus: Entire match or contest outcome.
- Risk: Lower, fewer variables affect the result.
- Payout: Typically smaller and more predictable.
- Settlement: At the end of the match or event.
- Examples: Team to win, cover the spread, total points.
- Use Case: For bettors seeking outcome-based wagers with fewer variables.
Side bet
- Definition: Wager on a specific event or statistic within a game, independent of the final result.
- Focus: Individual plays, player performance, or team milestones.
- Risk: Higher, more variables, and unpredictability.
- Payout: Often higher due to increased uncertainty.
- Settlement: As soon as the specific event occurs, sometimes during the game.
- Examples: Player to score first, total rebounds, number of corners.
- Use Case: For bettors looking for added excitement or to complement main bets
Why professional bettors explore side bets
- Add excitement: Side bets keep games engaging even when the main outcome seems obvious.
- Leverage specialized knowledge: Bettors who track player stats, team trends, or situational performance can find edges in specific markets.
- Enhance strategy: Side bets can complement main bets, allowing combinations like backing a favorite to win while predicting a key player’s performance.
- Exploit higher odds: Because side bets involve more uncertainty, they often offer higher payouts than standard wagers.
- Diversify risk: Placing smaller side bets alongside main bets can spread exposure and create opportunities for profit in multiple markets.
Conclusion
A side bet is a wager placed on a specific aspect of a game rather than its overall result. Side bets include player props, team props, novelty bets, and micro-bets, and are settled independently of the main match outcome. These bets typically carry higher risk due to the increased number of variables involved.
Frequently asked questions
Are side bets and prop bets the same?
Prop bets are a type of side bet. Sportsbooks use the term “prop bet” for wagers on specific events or player performances, while “side bet” is the broader category that also includes informal wagers between fans.
Can you win a side bet if your main bet loses?
Yes. Side bets are settled independently of the overall match result. For example, if your team loses the game but your player prop (such as scoring a goal) is successful, the side bet still pays out.
Do all sportsbooks offer side bets?
Most major sportsbooks provide side bets, particularly for popular events like the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, or World Cup. However, availability varies by sportsbook, sport, and market size.
Are side bets profitable?
Side bets can provide value in certain situations, especially if you track player statistics or team trends closely. However, they are generally higher risk and less predictable than main bets, which means profitability is harder to sustain long-term.