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Futures
sports bettingA bet on an event that will be decided in the future, such as which team will win the championship.
Key Takeaways
- 1Futures are bets on events decided later (championships, awards)
- 2They offer higher payouts but tie up your money
- 3Books take a larger margin on futures markets
- 4Early-season futures can offer the best value
What are Futures Bets?
Futures are wagers on events that will be determined at a later date. The most common futures bets are on championship winners, but they can also include season win totals, MVP awards, and other long-term outcomes.
Examples
- Chiefs to win Super Bowl +600
- Yankees to win World Series +800
- Player X to win MVP +1200
Advantages
- Higher potential payouts due to longer odds
- Can find value early in the season before lines sharpen
- Adds long-term engagement with a sport
Disadvantages
- Your money is tied up for a long period
- High hold percentages (the book's margin is larger on futures)
- Difficult to hedge effectively
- Injuries and trades can dramatically change a team's chances