| With the 2010 FIFA World Cup upon us, it is time to | | | | case, the bettor would win $210 for every $100 risked |
| discuss how to bet on soccer. Soccer is considered | | | | if the game was tied at the end of regulation. |
| the world's most popular sporting event; however, in | | | | Although it seems pretty simple, it can be tricky to |
| the United States it isn't even in the top four. That | | | | beginners due to the "end of regulation" rule. A typical |
| being said, it is gaining popularity every year in both | | | | soccer game goes for 90 minutes of play in addition to |
| viewership as well as with the sportsbooks. | | | | "injury time". For the aforementioned three-way money |
| Online sportsbooks are expecting record setting | | | | lines, they are graded once the 90 minutes + injury |
| betting for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with many first | | | | time has been played. So any goals in overtime (extra |
| time soccer bettors getting into the action. However, | | | | time) or shootout will not count towards the three-way |
| there are a few rules that one must be cognizant of | | | | money lines. |
| before placing a soccer wager. | | | | For example, if Brazil and Spain meet in the World Cup |
| Three-Way Money Lines | | | | Finals and are tied 2-2 at the end of regulation and |
| Just like betting baseball or hockey, betting on the | | | | injury time, bettors that wagered on Brazil or Spain |
| money line is the most popular way to bet on soccer; | | | | would lose their wagers while those that bet the draw |
| however, there is one major difference. Whereas in | | | | would win their wager. Whatever happened in |
| other sports, betting on the money line is just basically | | | | overtime and/or the shootout would be irrelevant to |
| betting on a team to win the game outright, in soccer | | | | this wager. |
| the bettor has the option to bet the draw (tie) as well. | | | | Something else the novice bettor needs to be aware |
| So money line soccer bettors have three options: bet | | | | of is the aforementioned "injury time". Although |
| Team A to win the game, bet Team B to win the | | | | regulation is 90 minutes of play, the officials often |
| game, bet Team A and Team B to tie. | | | | extend regulation by a few minutes to make up for |
| Using the odds for the 2010 FIFA World Cup's game | | | | time lost due injuries. Again, this time counts towards |
| between England and USA, let's take a look to see | | | | regulation and the three-way money line wagers will |
| exactly how this works. | | | | be graded once this time is complete. |
| The oddsmakers currently have the odds as: | | | | Betting the Total |
| England -238 | | | | Similar to the other major sports, soccer bettors also |
| Draw +310 | | | | have the option on betting on the 'total', also referred to |
| USA +650 | | | | as the 'over/under'. |
| If you were going to wager on favored England, for | | | | The typical 'total' on a soccer match is 2.5 goals. So |
| every $238 you wagered, you would win $100; as long | | | | the bettor can wager on the 'over' if he thinks the two |
| as England was victorious after regulation. Please note | | | | teams will combine for three goals or more. Or they |
| the words "after regulation" which is another unique | | | | can wager on the 'under' if he thinks the two teams |
| rule with soccer betting which we'll get to in a bit. | | | | will combine for fewer than three goals. |
| Now, if you were backing the underdog USA team | | | | Just like in three-way money line wagering, 'total' bets |
| you would win $650 for every $100 wagered as long | | | | will be graded after the 90 minutes of regulation and |
| as the Americans were victorious after regulation. | | | | 'injury time' has been completed. Any goals in overtime |
| Finally, considering that so many soccer games end in | | | | or a shootout will not count towards the 'total'. |
| a tie, bookies provide the draw option as well. In this | | | | |