Tennis Betting Strategy for UK Players

Why Bet on Tennis?

Tennis betting has seen some of the most significant advancements and popularity in the UK in the last few years. If you are wondering why wagering on tennis is a great option over other sports betting games, there are some features that make it a favourite among many UK punters.

One of the reasons is the sheer volume of options you can bet on. Unlike most other sports and games, where you can only bet on prop bets, against a point spread, or on a winner, tennis betting gives you many more options. For example, the best tennis betting bookmakers in the UK not only allow you to bet on the overall winner of a tennis match, but also on games, sets, and total points, and next point outcomes.

Another aspect drawing many UK bettors to tennis betting is in-play betting opportunities. Even though most other sports also have live betting, tennis is the leader due to its frequent momentum swings and stop-start nature. This allows you to follow the game and place bets on various aspects of the game in real-time.

Also, tennis operates somewhat differently from other sports betting options in that there are no draws or ties. There are normally 3 to 5 sets in a standard tennis match, and when you place a wager on the match, you are betting on the player you are predicting will win.

Understanding Tennis Betting Markets

Tennis offers a variety of betting markets, which makes it a favourite sport among many UK sports betting enthusiasts. So, if you are an entry-level punter, you need to understand the different tennis betting markets available to find the one that can work in your favour. Let’s explore the most common tennis betting markets.

Match Winner

The match winner is the easiest-to-place and most straightforward tennis betting market, and it is ideal for those new to tennis betting. The market normally involves predicting the player who will emerge victorious after a given match.

And since there are no draws or ties in tennis, like in cricket or football, it makes placing match bets simpler. However, the odds of winning depend on the skills and disparity between the two players. So, if you are wagering on a tennis match that has a favourite, you will most likely not get good odds for betting on that player. You should, therefore, bet on the underdog as they will likely offer higher potential returns.

Set Betting

If you are looking to win big on tennis betting, set betting is your ideal market. But we only recommend this for more experienced bettors as you’ll need to assess and weigh each player’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as match conditions.

In set betting, you predict the exact score in a set for a match, instead of just predicting a winner. For example, if you bet on Player A to win 2-1 in sets against Player C, the scoreline must be exact for you to win the bet.

Over/Under Games

Also known as ‘total market’ or ‘total betting,’ this market involves predicting and betting whether the total number of games to be played in a tennis match will be above or below a set number threshold set by the sportsbook. This is commonly applied to the total number of games in a tennis match, but it can also include total sets as well as player-specific totals.

For example, in a tennis match between Player A and Player C, a sportsbook might set the totals at 23.5 games, and you can bet on whether the total number of games played will be under or over that threshold. 

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting is another popular tennis betting market with UK bettors, and it involves a betting process with an aim of levelling the playing field between players of different abilities. Here, you add a virtual advantage or disadvantage to a player’s final score to get more balanced odds of winnings and increase the excitement of the betting experience.

Typically, there are two types of handicaps in tennis: set handicaps and game handicaps. The former involves subtracting or adding a set from a player’s final score, while the latter involves subtracting or adding a certain number of games from the player’s final score.

In-play Betting

In-play tennis betting, or live betting, is a form of tennis betting where you wager on a tennis match while it unfolds in real time. For instance, you can bet on who will win the next game, the next point in a game, the correct game score in a set, whether the game will go to deuce, next break to serve, in-game score, total games in the set, and so on.

When placing in-play bets, keep in mind that the odds change fast and in real-time, so you need to be vigilant and act fast.

Top Tennis Betting Strategies

In tennis betting, there are many strategies that can improve your odds of winning. Our tennis betting experts have identified the top, most effective strategies that can help you make profitable bets.

Research Player Form & Surface

The first, most crucial strategy when betting on tennis is to research the players and their recent form and physical fitness. This is because if a player recently had an injury or seems fatigued, it can significantly affect their performance. Additionally, research on players’ specialisation. This is because different players excel on different surfaces. 

Value Betting

Value betting simply means finding odds that are higher than what the sportsbook’s probability implies. This enables you to get more money than you would normally get. So, if you believe Player A has a 70 chance of winning a tennis match, but the bookie is offering odds that imply only a 60 chance, you have found value, and you should place that wager instead.

This strategy revolves around expected value. If your expected return on a bet is positive, even if you lose in the short term, you have a chance of boosting your winnings in the long run. The strategy is not about winning every bet. It’s about betting at the right price.

Focus on Specific Tournaments

Not all tennis tournaments carry the same weight or use the same ecosystem. So, you should focus on specific tournaments that you actually enjoy, instead of betting on every match. You should also know the tournament game and its players inside out, as this will help you make informed decisions when placing your wagers.

In-Play Betting Tips

Another effective strategy is to bet on live tennis matches, as they offer plenty of opportunities to make profits. In this strategy, though, ensure you do your research and closely evaluate the players so you will be able to spot patterns as the match unfolds.

In addition, pay attention to the stats, which are updated constantly as the game progresses. These stats can help you tell what is most likely to happen. Similarly, pay attention to the player to glean how they are feeling or if they are motivated.

Avoid Betting on Favourites Blindly

When placing bets on favourites, you should never decide without doing due diligence. The player may be fatigued or healing an injury, which can affect their performance. Similarly, you should never wager on a player simply because they rank higher than the opponent. Instead, keep an open mind and check the odds all the time. Also, only bet on the player with the best value, rather than the one you like.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Tennis is a thrilling game that engages bettors, but it is also full of traps that even the most experienced bettors can fall into. One of the most common tennis betting mistakes you should avoid is betting without doing research. If you want to be a successful bettor, you need to understand the rules of tennis betting, different markets, and the specific game. You also need to learn about the players by assessing their strengths and weaknesses.

You should also never overvalue rankings and favourites. Just because a player you like is popular or has a higher ranking doesn’t mean they are the right choice when placing bets. Instead, bet on the real value by spotting a player who might not be popular but is in good form or better suited to play.

Additionally, many bettors tend to ignore players’ injuries and fatigue. Tennis can be extremely tiring, and if an elite player had a match a few hours ago or is nursing an injury, that fresh-looking opponent may have a serious edge.

Finally, when you are in a losing streak, it can be tempting to spend more trying to make up for a bad bet. That's where you go wrong, as you are more likely to lose even more. Instead, just stay calm and take a break. There will always be another tennis tournament to wager on.

Tennis Betting Tips for Wimbledon

Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slams in tennis betting, and it’s a beloved tournament by players from across the UK. We are going to give you a quick overview of top tips and strategies that can help you bet smart and improve your winning odds in Wimbledon betting.

• Monitor the weather: During Wimbledon tournaments, you should monitor the weather and take advantage of any conditions. For instance, you can fade players coming off matches with rain delays. You can also watch live matches and asses players struggling to play against the wind or straggling in the heat.

• Study the surface: Since Wimbledon is played on grass, some players struggle on this surface while others excel. So, take into account the players’ records and performance on grass before placing bets.

• Choose the right bookmaker: Nowadays, there are many bookmakers in the UK offering Wimbledon betting, including live betting. Your aim should be to choose a sportsbook with better Wimbledon tennis odds to get the best value for your money.

• Check the time zone: Wimbledon tennis events occur at different time zones, which can affect the timing and the availability of live betting. You should, therefore, adjust your routines based on the match calendar to ensure you don’t miss out on a crucial opportunity.

• Crowd impact: Many bettors tend to overlook the crowd influence in Wimbledon tournaments. However, the crowd impact is equally important as other factors because a crowd’s deafening boo following a contentious decision or an uproar after a spectacular goal can significantly impact a match’s momentum, giving you an edge.

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Responsible Gambling

Tennis betting offers a real adrenaline rush, especially in live betting, and it is easy to get caught up in the action. Thus, you should prioritise responsible gambling and bet with a clear head and solid strategies to ensure you get a rewarding betting experience. You should also set a budget, never chase losses, and use responsible gambling tools and resources (like deposit limits, self-exclusion, and links to responsible gambling organisations) available at the bookmaker you are using.