Betting on tennis can be quite similar to betting on other sports, as many of the same principles apply. However, there are certainly some nuances specific to tennis that you need to understand, which can be exploited with a strong total games betting strategy in tennis.
One of these nuances is the creativity involved in tennis betting, which is necessary to succeed. In most other sports, the odds can be quite generous, but in tennis, they are often the opposite.
If you have a tennis match where one player is even remotely favoured, the odds of that player winning will generally be quite low. This makes betting on such odds rather low in value, which is why you have to get creative in your approach.
Creativity in tennis betting means exploring different types of bets to get better value, rather than simply betting on who will win the match. One of the ways to do this is by betting on games, rather than an overall winner.
Total games betting explained
For instance, consider a recent match at the US Open where Novak Djokovic faced Radu Albot in the opening round. Djokovic was a massive favourite in this match, and betting on him to win outright wouldn’t have yielded much return.
However, a more creative approach would have been to bet on him to win in under 27.5 games. Since the final score was 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, this bet would have paid off. We knew that Djokovic was likely to win in straight sets, and we also knew that most of those sets wouldn’t be close.
As a result, betting on the total games to be under 27.5 turned out to be both valuable and relatively safe.
Types of games betting in tennis
There are various ways you can bet on the total number of games in a tennis match.
The most straightforward option is to bet on the total number of games in the entire match. Each set in a tennis match has a minimum of six games and a maximum of 13 games, depending on whether a tiebreak is played. By analysing the match and the players involved, you can make an educated guess about how many games the match might have.
For example, in Djokovic’s case, the line was set at 27.5 games, which seemed likely to go under given his dominance in the match.
On the other hand, if you were betting on Djokovic’s second match against Laslo Djere, the same under bet might not have been a good idea. Djokovic has played very close matches with Djere in the past, and this particular match was on pace to finish around 29-30 games, which would have been over the 27.5 games line, causing the under bet to lose.
Another way to bet on games is by focusing on a specific set rather than the entire match. In this case, you are given a number, usually 9.5 or 10.5 games, and you are expected to predict whether that set will go under or over that number.
On fast surfaces like grass, betting on the over can be a good strategy when you have two strong servers who are unlikely to be broken.
Yet another type of bet is placing a wager on a player’s total number of games. The principle is the same as with match totals; you predict whether a particular player will accumulate more or fewer games than the line set by the bookmaker. Underdogs typically receive more generous lines against heavy favourites, and at times, this can be a very valuable bet.
The key to success with a total games betting strategy is to first predict how the match will unfold, and then apply that prediction to the lines you are given to see if they line up. Understanding the tendencies of the players and the conditions of the match are crucial to making a well-informed bet.
How to be successful betting on games in tennis
Successfully betting on games in tennis is a tricky endeavour. The primary reason is that tennis is a highly unpredictable sport. Even the best players can have an off day, and that can drastically affect the outcome of your bet.
Take the Djokovic match, for example. If he had dropped just one set to Djere, an under bet on total games would have been lost instantly.
This unpredictability is one reason why betting on total games isn’t always the best strategy in tennis. Upsets are not uncommon, and even the top players struggle to maintain a high level of play over an extended period. This makes games betting in tennis particularly challenging.
Interestingly, this type of bet tends to be more successful in women’s tennis, where favourites often dominate much more consistently compared to men’s tennis.
To be successful in games betting, it’s crucial to know the sport well and to pick your moments carefully. This is not the kind of bet you can place on every match or even every day. You have to be patient and wait for the right opportunity to present itself. When you spot a good line, you need to act quickly and decisively.
Overall, games betting in tennis isn’t the most reliable or profitable option, as luck often plays a significant role. However, with the right knowledge and strategy, it can be a valuable tool in your betting arsenal.
Negatives of tennis games betting
As mentioned earlier, the unpredictability of tennis is the biggest drawback of games betting.
While these bets can be extremely valuable in certain matches, they are generally something you should approach with caution. The high level of competitiveness in tennis makes it difficult to accurately predict how many games a match will have.
Sometimes, a match will play out exactly as expected, but more often than not, it will deviate from predictions. One bad service game can throw off your entire bet, making this a rather volatile option for most bettors. The risk involved in games betting is simply too high for many people to justify.
Best total games betting strategy in tennis
While betting on games in tennis can be a useful strategy in specific situations, it’s generally not the best option.
Handicaps offer more flexibility and allow for a greater range of outcomes, making them a more reliable choice. With games betting, the outcomes are straightforward: either you pick the over and it goes over, or you pick the under and it goes under. Unfortunately, the results often hinge more on luck than on form, skill, or any other factor.
Therefore, games betting should only be considered in certain moments when you have a strong reason to believe it will be profitable. It’s a good option to have in your betting repertoire, but it should not be your primary strategy.
