There are only a few days left before the 2016 Olympic Games and there are certain disciplines that generate profound interest; namely track and field. Every four years, popularity in the sprinters, long distance runners, high jumpers and the like increases exponentially, prompting discussions about agility, speed and previous performance.
These events garner an impressive 14 147 Olympic gold medals – more medals than any other Olympic sport – making them all the more interesting for the spectator. For those looking to try their hand at athletics betting, there are certain elements to take into consideration.
Athletics Betting Tips
1. Get to know the top contenders
Don’t go into the bet blind, do some research about who will be competing in Rio from 5 to 21 August and what their betting odds are. Look at results from 2012 to 2016 and analyse how they fare in differing conditions. Are they battling with any injuries? Are there any newcomers to look out for? Be on the lookout for things such as athletes who have poor away form, those that only seem to do well on their home turf.
2. Get to know the various disciplines
Decide what discipline or disciplines you will be focusing your betting on because there is a big selection when it comes to athletics betting. Within long distance and sprints events there are various distances to consider. Field events include a number of interesting activities such as long jump, high jump, shotput, javelin, discus, hammer and pole vault. They’re all exciting to watch and provide lots of athletics betting opportunities.
3. Where are they competing?
If you’re getting into athletics betting and want to take it a step further, look into more than just the athletes and their performance. You will want to look at elements such as where they will be competing and what the conditions will be like. Athletes participating in the Rio Olympics will be doing so at one of the three venues; Pontal, Olympic Stadium or Sambodromo. Look at the pros and cons of these venues, facility conditions, as well as weather expectations at this time of year and compare with other races.
4. Choose reputable online betting sites
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to decide on where to bet. Online betting is by far the most convenient way to wager on sports with the biggest hurdle being which betting sites to choose. Research the best betting sites with the most commendable user reviews as the sites have been tried and tested by numerous gamblers before. Avoid making mistakes that someone else has already made and be selective.
5. Keep it simple
If you’re starting out and are still getting a feel for athletics betting, don’t try to get complicated too quickly. Once you have placed a few bets and have some experience in the field, then you can start experimenting with more complex wagers. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a record of your various bets for later analysis, this will really help with your athletics betting strategy.
6. Maintain discipline
It is very easy to get caught up in the excitement of athletics betting, especially when you’re on a winning streak. The best idea is to decide ahead of time exactly how much money you feel comfortable losing and then allocate the amount to your bankroll. Avoid betting your entire bankroll in one go, otherwise the fun is over very quickly. Look at 1 to 2% per bet but not more than 5%. If you’re betting money you can’t afford to lose, you’re not going to make smart selections.
7. Use online bonuses and rewards
Many sports’ betting websites attract new users by offering enticing bonuses as well as rewards for regular customers. These are some of the benefits of using online sports betting websites so take advantage where you can. Sign up to a few different sports betting websites to compare the various promotions. Make sure to also check the various rules and regulations for each site, particularly things such as the minimum stake and maximum amount that can be won on a single bet.
8. Compare the odds
Different sports betting websites offer different athletics betting odds so make sure you look around before landing on one site. Although this may seem time consuming at first, it can make a big difference to your winnings in the long run.
Hopefully all these athletics betting tips will help you to be successful in your athletics betting endevours once the Olympic Games 2016 start.
Place your bets on the Olympic Games here.
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