Tennis Betting Guide – What You Need to Know
Contrary to the often perceived complexity of the sport, tennis is actually one of the simplest and most popular sports to bet on. The betting markets are quite straight forward and it’s easy to understand even when you are new to the sport.
Before explaining the various strategies you can use when betting on tennis, let’s first discuss the available tennis markets, the odds, the basic betting rules and the type of tournaments to expect.
Tennis Betting Markets
Some of the most popular betting markets include:
- Match winner market: In this market, you simply predict which player will beat the other.
- Set betting market: Here you bet on the exact match outcome in each set. This market is perfect for players who want to boost their winnings from small bets.
- Match totals: This could be a bet on the total games in a match, total Aces, total sets or total double faults. The most common bet in this category is the under/over bet.
- Handicap: This market lets you bet on one player betting the other by a certain advantage.
Serves & Sets in Tennis Betting
A typical tennis match consists of games, sets, and points. A set consists of a number of games, usually a minimum of 6 games, which in turn, make up points. A set is won by the first players to win the first 6 games by a margin of a minimum of 2 games.
A serve, on the other hand, is a shot that one of the players takes to start a point. A successful serve should go over the net diagonally into the opposite service box.
Serves and sets can give you multiple betting opportunities such as betting on the set winner, or place a first to win bet based on who served the game first.
Tennis Betting Odds
Odds represent the probability of an outcome in a certain event. In tennis, there are different markets with multiple probabilities, often represented by odds. Tennis betting has 3 types of odds – moneyline, fractional, and decimal odds. All 3 odds formats express the amount you should risk to obtain a specific reward.
- Moneyline odds: Often expressed in either a positive or a negative number. In a positive number, the figure shows the amount you stand to win for every £100 you bet, while a negative number shows how much you should bet to get a reward of £100.
- Fractional odds: In fractional tennis odds, the figure on the left shows your potential win relative to the risk you place, which is the figure on the right. If the tennis odds read 6/1, you stand to win six times your stake.
- Decimal odds: This tennis odds format is the simplest of the 3. To know your potential winnings, you need to multiply your bet amount by the stated odds. There are no complexities involved.
Types of Tennis Tournaments
There are four primary tennis championships within the professional circuit: the Australian Open, French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon. Collectively known as the Grand Slams, these tournaments stand out from all others that are categorized into various tiers. For instance, the ATP classifies its events into four levels: Grand Slams, Masters 1000, ATP 500, and ATP 250.
Advancing further in a tournament and competing in higher tiers grants players more ranking points and prize money. Winning a grand slam awards the champion the significant 2,000 points, underscoring their importance in the tennis world.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) oversees a variety of tennis tournaments, including prestigious events like the WTA 1000, WTA 500, and WTA 250 series, showcasing top-tier talent in women’s tennis.
How to Bet on Tennis?
Key Factors for Tennis Betting
Before getting started on tennis betting, you need to be familiar with some of the most popular tennis betting markets and tennis wagers, understand the odds, and do your research. Part of doing your research is analyzing each player’s previous matches so you can rank the favourite and the underdog. This knowledge will help you decide who to trust when making free tennis predictions and placing your bets.
The Players and Their Head-to-Head Records
It’s important to not only be familiar with the tennis professionals, but also to review the players’ head-to-head statistics to learn which one has a clear edge over the other. Look at their last encounter together, how did each of the players perform? Is there a certain pattern in the way they play You can then review each player’s history – how did they perform in their last match? Are there any factors that would influence their performances now? Do they have an injury? This data will help you analyse and guide you towards placing your bets.
Player Form and Recent Performance
Considering a player’s current condition is crucial in tennis betting because even top-ranked players can underperform due to factors like injuries, fatigue, or lack of motivation, while lesser-known players may be in peak form and deliver outstanding performances. Tennis is a dynamic sport where rankings don’t always reflect the immediate state of a player. For instance, an underdog on a winning streak with excellent physical fitness and mental stamina may outplay a higher-ranked opponent who is struggling with recent setbacks.
The Playing Surface
Tennis court surfaces come in 3 types; grass, clay, and hard court. Each of these surfaces have an influence on a player’s performance. While some players excel on hard surfaces, there are others who thrive on grass or clay courts. You can use this analysis to your advantage by looking at players’ previous encounters on different court surfaces.
The Playing Conditions
Heat, humidity, and other weather conditions have a significant impact on a player’s endurance. Some players may find it physically exhausting to play in the heat and that is where their opponent gains an advantage in the match. By evaluating these external factors, bettors can gain a deeper understanding of how the match might unfold and make more accurate predictions.
Top Strategies for Betting on Tennis
🌟 Betting on Favorites
Betting on favourites usually pays off, especially in big tournaments such as the Grand Slams where players always give their best. Top-ranked players have a proven track record of success, especially in early rounds of tournaments where they face lower-ranked opponents. Their superior skills, experience, and mental resilience make them reliable choice, so betting on favorites can be a safe and strategic approach for steady gains.
🟰 Tennis Betting Strategy 40:40
This is one of the most popular strategies among tennis bettors. It is much more efficient when placing live bets. Bettors place wagers on the occurrence of a deuce during a game, as the odds for this market are often higher than traditional betting options. The 40:40 strategy can be highly profitable when applied to matches with evenly matched opponents, making it a favorite for experienced tennis bettors.
⏫ Tennis Accumulators & Parlays
Parlay betting, also referred to as accumulators, is both exciting and rewarding. This strategy is particularly appealing because it allows bettors to combine multiple bets into a single wager, so even small stakes can lead to substantial payouts if all selections are correct. The primary advantage of parlays is the higher odds amount that directly translates to a higher payout for bettors. However, these types of bets can also be quite risky. When a single selection goes against your prediction, the entire parlay bet is off.
📈 The Martingale System for Tennis
The Martingale strategy is a mathematical strategy that is applied in different sports betting scenes. Basically, the strategy suggests that you double your bet after every loss until you achieve a win. The main idea behind this strategy is to amplify your chances of recovering your losses, once you hit a win. While this approach can be effective in theory, it requires a substantial bankroll to sustain potential losing streaks and discipline to manage risk.
🎾 Serve-Break Strategy
The Serve Break Strategy is a popular tennis betting approach that focuses on predicting when a player will break their opponent’s serve. This strategy is particularly effective in matches where one player has a strong return game, or their opponent struggles to hold serve consistently. You need to carefully analyze factors like serve statistics, break-point conversion rates, and pressure-handling capabilities to identify opportunities for a serve break.
⚡ Zig-Zag Betting Strategy
The Zig Zag Strategy in tennis betting is based on anticipating shifts in momentum during a match. This strategy works well in matches with evenly matched opponents, where fluctuations in energy, focus, or tactics are common. Bettors using this approach often place live bets on the player who has just lost a set or game, expecting them to bounce back due to increased motivation or adjustments in strategy. The Zig Zag Strategy requires careful observation, understanding of player psychology, and knowledge of their historical patterns.
Strategies for Betting on Tennis Match Results
Betting on the Match Winner
Betting on the match winner is one of the most straightforward and widely used strategies for tennis betting. This strategy involves predicting which player will win the match outright, making it accessible even for those with limited experience.
However, success requires a detailed analysis of various factors. Research should include player rankings, current form, and recent performances, as these can indicate who is likely to dominate. Additionally, head-to-head records provide insights into psychological advantages or disadvantages, while surface preferences reveal how players perform on specific courts, such as clay, grass, or hard surfaces.
While betting on favorites is a safer approach, it typically offers lower returns. On the other hand, betting on underdogs can yield higher payouts, especially if backed by strong evidence such as an opponent’s inconsistency or struggles in similar matchups.
Betting on the Exact Score
Betting on the exact score is one of the most challenging yet rewarding strategies for tennis match results, as it involves predicting the precise outcome of sets in a match. This strategy offers higher odds compared to standard match winner bets, making it attractive for bettors seeking significant payouts. To succeed, bettors must conduct thorough research, considering factors such as player form, head-to-head records, and performance trends on specific surfaces. Additionally, understanding players’ tendencies -such as their ability to win sets decisively or struggle in tie-break situations – can provide valuable insights.
Betting on Set Winners
Betting on set winners is one of the most strategic and flexible approaches to tennis betting, allowing bettors to predict the outcome of individual sets rather than the entire match. This strategy often provides better odds than simply betting on the match winner, especially in evenly matched games or when an underdog has the potential to take a set. Researching players’ past performances i such as their ability to recover after losing a set or their consistency in tiebreakers, can significantly enhance the accuracy of predictions.
Handicap Betting
Handicap betting is one of the most effective strategies for tennis betting, especially in matches with a clear favorite and underdog. This approach levels the playing field by applying a positive or negative handicap to a player’s total games or sets. Handicap betting is particularly useful in one-sided matches where outright odds on the favorite are too low to be profitable. It allows bettors to extract value by predicting not just who will win, but by how much. On the flip side, betting on an underdog with a positive handicap is advantageous when the player is expected to put up a strong fight, even if they ultimately lose.
Totals Betting Strategy for Tennis
Set Totals Betting
Set totals betting is one of the most popular and rewarding totals betting strategies in tennis, as it focuses on predicting the total number of sets played in a match rather than the winner. This approach is ideal for matches where the outcome is uncertain but the competitive dynamics are clear. Bettors can wager on whether the total sets will go over or under a predetermined number, such as betting on a three-set total in a best-of-three match.
Game Totals Betting
Game totals betting is a popular and flexible tennis betting strategy that revolves around predicting the total number of games played in a match rather than selecting the winner. Bettors can wager on whether the total games will exceed or fall short of a specific number set by the bookmaker. This approach is particularly appealing in matches where the outcome may be uncertain, but the playing style and competitiveness of the players can give clues about the overall length of the match.
Other Totals in Tennis
In addition to set and game totals, tennis betting offers other intriguing total markets that allow bettors to focus on specific match elements without predicting the winner. These markets provide alternative strategies tailored to various match dynamics:
- Total Aces: Wager on whether the total number of aces served in the match will exceed or fall short of a set number. Ideal for matches featuring strong servers, like John Isner or Iga Swiatek, with court speed as a key factor.
- Total Double Faults: Predict the total number of double faults during the match. This market suits matches involving players with inconsistent serving or under pressure in high-stakes games.
- Total Breaks of Serve: Bet on the total number of service breaks in the match. Matches on slower surfaces, like clay, often see higher break counts due to extended rallies.
- Total Tie-Breaks: Wager on whether the match will feature tie-breaks or how many. Matches with powerful servers and consistent holds often lean toward tie-breaks, especially on faster courts like grass.
- Player-Specific Totals: Focus on individual player stats, such as total games won, sets won, or aces served, tailoring bets to player strengths and match context.
How Does Live Tennis Betting Work?
Live betting, also known as in-play betting, is placing real-time bets on a tennis game that has already started. Usually, the normal bets are placed before the game commences, but with live bets, you get to place bets on an ongoing live tennis match, while you watch. This type of betting allows you to follow the game and analyze the momentum it is taking. It gives you better judgment and live betting markets are quite profitable too.
Live Tennis Betting Strategies
Set Betting
Set betting in live tennis involves predicting the winner of an ongoing set rather than the entire match. This strategy works well if you observe a player gaining momentum or dominating key rallies. Watching the players’ performance in real-time helps identify potential winners for the current set, especially when one player shows signs of fatigue or loss of focus.
Winning the Next Point/Game/Set
This strategy focuses on betting on immediate outcomes, such as who will win the next point, game, or set. Observing serving strength, return consistency, and psychological resilience during key moments can help make quick, informed decisions. It’s a fast-paced betting option that requires sharp observation and a deep understanding of the players’ tendencies.
Next Player to Break
Betting on the next player to break serve is ideal during matches with fluctuating momentum. Look for signs of weakness in a player’s serve, such as low first-serve percentages or double faults. Strong returners or players showing consistent aggression in return games are good candidates to secure the next break.
Hedging Technique
The hedging strategy involves placing bets on both sides of a live market to secure a profit regardless of the final outcome. For instance, if you bet on a favorite pre-match but the underdog gains an advantage, placing a live bet on the underdog allows you to lock in a return. This approach requires careful timing and quick analysis of shifting odds.
Best Tennis Betting Tips
👍 Understand the players’ matchup
Understanding players’ matchup is crucial for successful tennis betting. Each player’s style, strengths, and weaknesses can significantly influence the outcome of a match, so it’s essential to analyze factors like head-to-head records, playing surfaces and conditions.
👍 Check all relevant statistics
To make an informed tennis betting judgement, it is important to check any previous information on the players. Analyze metrics such as serve statistics, break points saved, and overall match performance to identify any possible trends and patterns. Understanding these stats helps you gauge a player’s competitiveness.
👍 Check the players’ recent results and current form
Recent match outcomes, surface-specific success, and physical or mental readiness can all influence a player’s chances in an upcoming match. Analyzing these factors helps bettors make informed predictions and avoid relying solely on rankings or reputations.
👍 Evaluate fatigue
Consider a player’s recent schedule and match duration, as fatigue can hinder performance. A tired player may not perform at their best, so it’s important to assess how rest or exhaustion might impact the match outcome and use that to your advantage.
👍 Back surface specialists
Players often excel on specific surfaces like clay or grass, making them more likely to succeed in matches on their favored court type. For example, Rafael Nadal is renowned for his dominance on clay, while players like Novak Djokovic excel on hard courts, and grass favors big servers like Roger Federer. Identifying these specialists can enhance your betting success.
👍 Check on what surface the players competed last and how long they had to adjust if changing surfaces
Check the last surface players competed on and their adjustment time for any changes. Players transitioning between surfaces, such as from clay to grass or hard courts, often require time to adapt their playing style and movement. Those with insufficient time for preparation may struggle, especially if the surface change is drastic. On the other hand, players with recent success on the same surface are more likely to maintain their form.
👍 Consider the specific game conditions
Different surfaces (clay, grass, hard courts) can significantly affect player performance, while weather factors like wind or humidity may impact gameplay.
👍 Consider the home advantage
Players typically perform better on familiar courts with crowd support. This can enhance their comfort and motivation, leading to improved results against their opponents.
👍 Consider motivation levels
Factors like competing for titles or rivalries can boost motivation, while a lack of it may lead to underperformance.
👍 Back favorites in Grand Slams and other big tournaments
Back favorites in Grand Slams and major tournaments, as top players often perform better in high-stakes matches, increasing your chances of winning bets.
👍 Look for value on the underdogs
Especially in minor tournaments, underdogs can provide good odds and may perform unexpectedly well against inconsistent favorites.
👍 Manage your bankroll wisely
It’s always important to know when to put a limit to your betting. Proper betting bankroll management will help you avoid risks and save you losses.
How to Find the Best Tennis Betting Sites
Licensing & Trustworthiness
A licensed betting site is a clear sign of trustworthiness. All sites must be vetted before getting licensed to offer any betting services. So, when choosing a betting site to bet on tennis, always check if it is a regulated operator with a valid license.
Betting Markets
Some betting sites offer a more comprehensive list of betting markets for sports events than others. Besides, some offer numerous markets alongside a list of highly competitive odds. To stay at an advantage, always go for a sportsbook with great odds and multiple markets.
Bonuses & Promotions
A bookmaker with impressive and regular bonuses should be your go-to option. Betting bonuses play a significant role in increasing your initial capital and greatly increase your chance to make real money profits.
Payment Methods
You want to pick a betting site that offers a diverse list of secure banking methods, including your preferred payment options. This way, it will be convenient for you to make deposits and request withdrawals.
Withdrawal Conditions
All bookmakers are quite strict in their withdrawal policy. The regulatory bodies are very clear that any bookmaker that supports money laundering will lose their license of operation and in worst cases, be charged for money laundering. For this reason, a betting site will ask to review your identity before you can withdraw. You can always go for a bookmaker with the most convenient withdrawal terms that work for you.
Customer Support
It is quite comforting to know that you will get the assistance that you need any time you encounter issues. It is, therefore, better to choose a betting site that offer a 24/7 customer support and in various communication channels. For an even great experience, you can find a betting site that offers support in your own language.
Tennis Betting FAQ
Which is the most profitable strategy for tennis betting?
There are a couple of betting strategies that often work. The key idea is to figure out which one works best for you and at what time. We recommend the Betting on Favourites strategy, especially in the Grand Slam tournamenst. While it may come with smaller odds, a parlay of this bet will give you a good chance of getting profits.
How does live betting differ from pre-match betting in tennis?
Pre-match betting occurs before the match, focusing on overall outcomes with fixed odds. In contrast, live betting happens during the match, offering real-time betting options that change based on the game’s progression, allowing for quick decision-making based on performance and the game situation.
What are the advantages of in-play betting for tennis?
In-play betting allows to react to real-time match dynamics, increasing the chance for profitable bets. It offers diverse options like point-by-point and game outcomes, making the experience more engaging and exciting as bettors respond to player performance shifts.
How to increase my chances of winning on tennis live betting?
The first thing to do is research players’ recent performances and watch matches to assess the match momentum. Bet on specific outcomes, like games or sets, for better odds. Managing your bankroll can help you prevent major losses.
What is arbitrage betting?
This is placing opposing bets in the hope that one of each way will win the bet. For instance, placing 2 bets on each player in a tennis match to win the game. These types of bets can be placed at different betting sites, as long as the odds are quite favourable for you.
What are the pros and cons of outright tournament bets?
Outright tournament bets offer high potential returns, especially for underdog players. They allow bettors to engage with the tournament over its entirety. However, these bets can be risky, as predicting a tournament winner is challenging due to various unpredictable factors like player form and matchups.
What mistakes to avoid in tennis betting?
Avoid underestimating player conditions and overvaluing their overall reputation over their current form. Don’t chase losses or make bets based on gut feelings; rely on thorough research instead. Manage your bankroll responsibly to maintain control over your betting.
