Let’s use the 2018 World Cup championship game to explain how odds are calculated and what bets won in France vs. Croatia.
| Team | Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|
| France | -110 | O 2 (-165) |
| Croatia | +360 | U 2 (-125) |
The draw for the example is +230. This was the betting line for the 2018 World Cup championship match in regulation time, which consists of 90 minutes of play and extra time added for injuries. France was the betting favorite at standard -110 odds, meaning you would have had to bet $110 to win $100. A $100 bet on Croatia would have paid out $360 if the underdog had won.
We know that was not the case as France prevailed by a score of 4-2. In addition to France winning, the game went way over the total of two goals. This is the combined total of goals scored by both teams. A $165 bet on the over paid out $100 and you also would have received your initial $165 stake back.
The total for the game involves the combined number of goals scored by each team in 90 minutes of regulation time. This is important to note when it comes to soccer, particularly in a World Cup championship match. Teams will play two 15-minute overtime sessions if the game is tied after regulation. If it remains tied, penalty kicks will decide the match.
There are also odds offered on the winner regardless of how the game unfolds. France was -220 and Croatia +180 on the moneyline just to raise the World Cup no matter what. World Cup odds are based on the performance of the teams and their relative strengths and weaknesses. Injuries can affect these odds, as can players being ineligible for a game due to too many yellow and/or red cards (penalties in previous matches).
We’ve already covered spread, moneyline, total, and futures bets, but there are other fun ways to have action on the World Cup.
Parlays feature multiple bets (or legs) in a single wager that can increase your amount of winnings. Let’s say you like both France and Germany to win their respective games in the opening round of the 2022 World Cup. If you bet $100 on France and Germany in a two-team parlay (at standard -110 odds for both games), you’ll cash a winning ticket of $260 if both teams do in fact win.
Parlay odds increase with each leg you add to the wager. A $100 bet on a successful three-team parlay pays $600, and a winning four-team parlay returns $1,100. Take advantage of Gaming Today’s free parlay calculator. It will show you the implied probability of winning your parlay, odds, and the potential payout.
Prop bets are also plentiful when it comes to World Cup betting. Prop bets are not directly tied to the outcome of a game or tournament. There are individual prop bets on players to score a goal, for example. There are team prop bets on the number of yellow cards or corner kicks a team will have in a match.
You can also bet on the winner of the Golden Ball (MVP) and Golden Boot (Leading Scorer) at the end of the World Cup. In 2018, Croatia’s Luka Modric took home the Golden Ball award despite his team’s 4-2 loss to France in the championship match. England’s Harry Kane captured the Golden Boot award with a tournament-high six goals in the 2018 World Cup.
Technology gives sportsbooks the ability to update odds on a real-time basis. After a game is in progress, that is when live or in-game bets can be made. These odds are fluid over the course of a 90-minute game, to say nothing of one that goes to two 15-minute overtime sessions and penalty kicks. You’ll find constantly updated odds for the spread, moneyline, total, and more.
Betting odds will be adjusted based on how the game unfolds along with the volume of in-game bets coming in on each side. It’s important to note here that oddsmakers always try to limit the potential liability for their sportsbook.
Anywhere, literally. Mobile sports betting is legal in the state and you can use the BetMGM sports betting app to wager in Nevada. If you’re old school and want to visit an actual sportsbook in Las Vegas, check out the Westgate SuperBook or Circa Sportsbook. However, the most convenient option is to register for a new account with BetMGM. You don’t need to be a resident of Nevada; you just need to be at least 21 years old and be within the state to make World Cup bets.
Knowledge is power with any type of sports betting. Research the top contending teams heading into the World Cup. Look at their recent form (results) and understand the relative strengths and weaknesses relative to other teams, especially in their own group. What style of football does the team play? Are they aggressive offensively, or perhaps prefer a more methodical approach to the game? Goaltenders are also important in the World Cup as games can sometimes come down to penalty kicks to be decided.
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