Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world, thus offering a huge range of betting opportunities. In this article, we will dive deeper into the world of tennis betting and explain the main markets and concepts.
When you find yourself on a betting portal during a tennis match, you can calmly take notes. You can bet on sets and games, as well as handicaps and much more. What are the most popular betting sites in tennis? Find out below.
How are points calculated in tennis?
Before betting, it is worth understanding the structure of a tennis game. A tennis match consists of points, games and sets.
- Points make up a game
- Games make up a set
- Sets determine the winner of a match
Most tournaments are played in a three-set system, where two sets are needed to win.
However, in Grand Slam tournaments, men play in a five-set system, where three sets are needed to win.
Most popular tennis betting markets
Match winner
The simplest tennis bet is to predict the winner of the match.
For example:
- Jannik Sinner – 1.55
- Carlos Alcaraz – 2.45
In this case, the selected player must win the match to win the bet, regardless of the score at the end of the match.
Set winner
Set bets predict the winner of a specific set. Before the match starts, you can usually only bet on the winner of the first set, and the following sets are also opened for betting during the match.
Total number of sets/games in the match
Popular tennis markets include predicting the total number of sets and games in a match.
For example:
Over/Under 2.5 Sets
Over/Under 22.5 Games
If the match ends with a score of 7:6, 6:4, two sets were played, so the bet on “under 2.5 sets” wins. However, a total of 23 games were played in this match, so the bet on “over 22.5 games” wins.
Handicap bets
Handicap allows you to bet on a player with a virtual win or loss.
For example:
- Sinner -4.5 Games
- Alcaraz +4.5 Games
If you bet on Sinner with a handicap of -4.5, he must win the match by at least five games, for example 6:4, 6:3. If the match ends with a smaller difference in games, the bet is considered lost.
What is live betting?
Live betting means betting during the match. It is especially popular in tennis, because the odds change almost after every game. A player can be down one minute, but be back in the game the next.
Advantages of live betting:
- You can see the players’ performance and form
- You can assess the impact of injuries or fatigue
- You can find value in changing odds
However, it is worth avoiding quick decisions made on the basis of emotions.
What else is worth knowing when betting on tennis?
Court surface
In tennis, the court surface plays a very important role, because its properties differ, which is why not all tennis players play equally on different surfaces.
For example, some players may be very strong on a clay court, where the ball bounces more slowly, which gives more mobile players an advantage. On grass courts, where the ball bounces faster, players with strong serves and shots have an advantage.
- Hard Court (Australian Open and US Open)
- Clay Court (French Open)
- Grass Court (Wimbledon)
Head-to-head matches
Players’ previous duels against each other often provide valuable information. Some players may be more suited to one player’s playing style than another, which can affect the outcome more than the world ranking.
Form
Before betting, it is definitely worth checking:
- Results of recent tournaments
- Number of matches in recent weeks
- Possible injuries
- Success in a specific tournament or court surface
Common mistakes when betting on tennis
- Focusing only on the world ranking. A higher ranking does not always mean an automatic win.
- Ignoring the court surface. A clay specialist can be much less dangerous on a hard surface.
- Placing too many live bets. The fast pace can lead to impulsive decisions.
- Bet on your favorite player. Emotions should not influence the analysis.
Which tennis markets are suitable for beginners?
If you are just starting out with tennis betting, it is worth focusing on the simpler markets:
- Match Winner
- 1st Set Winner
- Over/Under Games
- Over/Under Sets
These markets are easy to understand and help you learn the logic of tennis and odds without too much complexity.
How to bet responsibly?
- Play responsibly. 18+
- Avoid emotions
- Follow your budget
- Don’t try to make up for losses with subsequent bets
- Every game is different! Remember this and base your analysis on it
- Enjoy tennis, because the most important thing is sport
- Use our sports betting app as the best way to keep an eye on your bets
Tennis offers a wide range of betting markets for sports bettors, from match winner to games, sets and live betting. The better you understand the structure of the game and the strengths of the players, the more informed you can place your bets.
Tennis Betting FAQ
What is an over/under bet?
Betting on whether more or fewer games or sets will be played in a match than the limit set by the bookmaker.
Is tennis suitable for live betting?
Yes. Tennis is one of the most popular sports for live betting because the odds change quickly during the match.
What is a handicap bet in tennis?
A handicap gives one player a virtual advantage or disadvantage in order to change the balance of power when betting.
What is the difference between a game and a set?
A game is made up of points and a set is made up of games. To win a match, you must win the required number of sets.
