What Are Betting Splits? Your Complete Guide
One of the nicest things about betting on sports is that, unlike casino games, you aren’t solely reliant on luck. Of course, games will sometimes go against what most people wagered on – but for the most part, having some sporting knowledge will increase your chances of winning.
These days, you’ve got access to all kinds of data in sports and sports betting. Besides finding out how teams have performed head-to-head in the past, you can also learn about what other people are wagering on. By doing this, you can make more informed decisions. And in some cases, you might decide to go against what everyone else is wagering on.
If you’ve never paid attention to betting splits, knowing what to focus on can be challenging. But fear not, because we’ll help you understand everything you need to know today. Without further do, let’s get started.
What Are Betting Splits?
Betting splits are public betting percentages that determine the bet/money ratio with which people are wagering. In many cases, the amount that people bet will not always be conducive to how many bets have been placed on something. For example, if one team is a heavy favorite to win a game, the odds will typically be shorter – and as a result, punters might bet more so that they can win a larger amount.
You can also use betting splits to determine which bets are the most popular. When you use a sportsbook, you’ll typically see bars that visualize the percentages they show. If you’re looking for a bet that you may otherwise not have thought of, you can use betting splits to achieve precisely this.
When learning about public betting splits, you might also come across split betting and each way bets. We’ll discuss the differences between these later; for now, let’s focus on understanding what betting splits are.
See also: How to Bet on Roulette: The Ultimate Guide
How Do Betting Splits Work?
In the beginning, people will wager on a particular game or market. Once they do that, they effectively contribute to a percentage. Betting splits work out the difference between how much money has been wagered, and how many bets have been placed. The betting split refers to the gap that lies between these.
On some sportsbooks, you’ll see bars with percentages of bets and the percentage of money – which will give you a more accurate representation of what’s going on. Regardless of the sport or event you’re thinking of wagering on, betting splits work in the same way. So, once you’ve learned how to read these, you won’t have to completely learn something new.
In Which Sports Will You Find Betting Splits?
You can access betting splits in most major sports, especially in the US. NFL betting splits can help you determine what bets are the hottest in the Super Bowl and for each game weekend, and NBA betting splits will allow you to do the same if you’re a basketball fan.
It’s also possible to find NHL betting splits if you’re a hockey fan. Betting patterns can impact odds, so it’s worth keeping this in mind – however, it isn’t the only thing that will result in differentiations. UFC betting splits are also available, and depending on when you’re based, you may also find these kinds of splits in college sports.
Besides using betting splits in the US, you can do the same in other markets where sports betting is legal. So, once you know how to use them, it’s worth considering them in your overall strategy.
Are Betting Splits the Same as Odds?
No – betting splits and odds are two different things. Odds are influenced by betting patterns, but they are not exclusively a result of them. When you look at odds, you see the bookmaker’s perceived probability that a certain outcome will occur.
Odds are influenced by differences that can happen before the event, such as big team news (e.g. a player coming back from injury). These might also change based on coaching changes and the team line-ups when they’re announced.
You can also see odds displayed as percentages; if you search for some games on Google, these will appear. However, odds also appear as fractions and decimals; they’re basically the same, but you should use whichever makes the most sense. Moreover, you should strongly consider using both odds and betting splits when determining what you should bet on.
See also: How big is the sports betting industry and how works?
Are Betting Splits Useful?
Betting splits are not as useful as odds, but they can still be helpful. First and foremost, they show where the market is placing its money – and as a result, you might find it easier to make a better wagering decision.
Betting splits are also potentially useful for getting an idea of how much you should consider betting. You can see what the difference is between what people wager and the number of bets being made, meaning that you can also see where people are the most and least confident.
Are Betting Splits Accurate?
Betting splits are pretty accurate because they gather all of the data from what users bet on (and how much money they wager). As a result, you should have absolutely no problems using them if accuracy is your concern. When looking at betting splits, though, it’s likely that you will only see what they’re like from one particular sportsbook. As a result, you might want to check out more than one to get a better overall understanding.
Is There a Difference Between Betting Splits and Each-Way Bets?
You might think that betting splits and split betting/each-way bets are interchangeable, but this is not the case. Whereas betting splits are the difference between money staked and the number of bets placed, split betting and each-way bets are when you wager on more than one outcome.
If we use soccer as an example, you might bet on one team to win the league title. With an each-way bet, you can cover your bases if they don’t win but are within a certain number of positions. Each-way bets give you a better chance of receiving some kind of payout, but the risk/reward ratio is also lower compared to betting on just one outcome. They’re ideal if you’re a beginner or you think that a result will be quite close.
Are Betting Splits and Percentages the Same Thing?
Betting splits use percentages, so the two terms can be used interchangeably.
Betting splits aren’t as useful as odds and real-game data for determining what you should bet on, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. Knowing how betting splits work will make it much easier to determine where people are placing their money and how you should think about betting on an upcoming event.
You’ll find betting splits on multiple sports, and they’re available both inside and outside the US. Once you’ve understood how they work, you can make better-informed decisions about your own bets.
