Part of the fun of watching professional sports is seeing a team or player make their way to the top of the heap to end the season as the champion. Predicting champions is fun, but a smart sports betting futures strategy helps you find real value. What exactly are future bets, and which sports can you wager on? In short, future bets are where you try and pick a champion or individual winner. For example, in the NFL, futures bets include the MVP and the Super Bowl winner. Pretty much every major sport has futures wagers available, but how do the odds work and when should you wager? We will answer those questions and more in this future’s betting guide, so let’s get to it.
What Are Future Bets in Sports Betting?
Some people tend to think of futures and props as being cut from the same cloth, but they are different. Props are generally in-game wagers, while futures are dictated to outcomes that may not arrive for months, such as the Stanley Cup winner, NBA champion, and more. The bookies set the lines for futures prior to the start of the season, with the odds changing as the fortunes of teams rise and fall. For example, the Kansas City Chiefs came into the season as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, but their odds have lengthened dramatically. We will get into timing your wagers later in this piece.
^ TopHow Do Future Odds Work?
Future betting lines are put in place using implied probability, but they change based on performance. For example, you might have an F1 driver starting the season at odds of +650 to win the championship. If he wins the first few races, those odds will shorten. In figuring out implied probability, use this equation: 100 / (Odds + 100) for plus-money futures.
Should You Bet Futures Early or Late?
Your futures betting strategy is dependent on the level of risk you are willing to take. Betting early usually offers the best odds, but there is greater risk. If you wait until later in the season, you have a better shot at winning, but your odds are reduced. In terms of specific wagers, betting late is best for MVP awards and for finding the true favorites, as you have data and a body of work to draw upon.
What Sports Offer the Best Future Betting Opportunities?
Let’s see if we can break it down by individual sport:
- NFL Futures
The NFL futures market is easily the most popular, with Super Bowl, team win totals, and division and conference winners all up for grabs.
- NBA Futures
NBA championship futures are always hot, as are MVP and Rookie of the Year.
- NHL Futures
Think of things like Stanley Cup winner and individual player awards, of which there are several.
- MLB Futures
World Series future odds are big, as are Cy Young and ROY.
- College Football & College Basketball Futures
National Championship is big in both sports, while March Madness futures dominate the hard court.
- UFC, F1, Golf, Tennis Futures
There are so many different UFC futures, and same with golf and tennis, where tournament futures are always popular.
Pros & Cons of Future Betting
Futures betting is not for everyone, but if you are interested, let’s take a look at the pros and cons:
- Pros
You are essentially able to lock in future betting value, especially when you wager early. It’s also great to see your winning wagers unfold over the course of a long season.
- Cons
A portion of your bankroll is tied up in wagers, while futures betting risks such as injury and line volatility can be a real issue that leads to frustration.
How To Bet Future Lines: Actionable Strategy Guide
There are several factors that come into play when you learn how to bet on future, so here is an actionable strategy that should help with timing and possible hedge opportunities:
- Monitor preseason news (trades, injuries).
- Compare multiple future markets (NFL, NBA, NHL).
- Look for value early before the public moves lines.
- Bet late on awards when performance stabilizes.
- Hedge your future wagers when your team reaches playoffs.
- Avoid placing too much value on longshots unless early.
- Track implied probability changes weekly.
FAQ Section
- Are future bets profitable? – Absolutely, especially if you use the strategy outlined above to know when to place those wagers.
- What is the best sport for futures? – They are all fun and potentially profitable, but in terms of volume, it is the NFL that wins.
- Should I bet futures early or late? – It really depends on your aversion level to risk.
- Do futures pay more than regular bets? – In most cases they do.
- Can I cash out my futures before the season ends? – You are in it for the haul, so be prepared to have your money tied up for weeks or months when wagering on futures.
- What is implied probability in future betting? – This is the percentage change of a team winning that the bookies then convert into odds.
- What affects future odds the most? – Injuries are big but winning and losing streaks also play a role.
- Are futures good for beginners? – If a beginner is ready to put in the work to find value future bets, they can be.
- What’s the difference between futures and props? – Futures are long term bets, while props are in-game.
- How do I hedge a future bet? – You can wager on several different teams for the same outcome and still be in profit. Find an online hedge bet calculator to help you.
Final Thoughts
If you want to have success when you bet futures online, use the tips outlined in this guide and learn how timing and line movement is important. The markets shift quickly, so you need to be ready to act. Compare future odds and track movement all season long at MyBookie.
^ TopFeatured Sports Betting Guides | Learn, Analyze & Win
Take your strategy to the next level with MyBookie’s complete sports betting guide library. Learn how to evaluate odds, manage risk, and combine AI insights with sharp fundamentals.
- Can You Make Money Sports Betting?
- An Intro to Sports Betting: Spread Betting Tips
- Sports Betting Guide: Spread vs Money Line
- Wagering on Moneyline or Straight Up Bets
- The Use of Trends in Football Betting
- Using Trends to Predict Outcomes in Sports Betting
- Half-Bankroll Betting Strategy
- Introduction To Bankroll-Boosting Pleaser Bets
- Principles of Value Betting
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