Football betting is becoming increasingly popular and is gradually becoming an indispensable form of entertainment for fans. Therefore, nowadays, there are numerous types of bets emerging. Alongside main bets such as Asian handicap, European handicap, Over/Under, there are also many side bets appearing. Among them, many players still don't know what a free kick bet is. That's why sporty trader will provide a detailed explanation of this type of bet for you.
What is a free kick bet?
A free kick bet is a type of bet in which players wager on the number of yellow or red cards that may appear in a match.
Fouls committed by players lead to referees issuing cards. Therefore, not every football match will have cards shown. Free kick bets consist of two types: yellow card bets and red card bets.
So, what are the general principles of free kick bets? There are three principles players need to understand:
Only cards shown by the referee on the field count, meaning cards given to coaches or substitutes are not considered in this bet.
Free kick bets are only applicable during the official 90 minutes of the match. Therefore, cards shown during extra time or penalty shootouts are not counted.
Yellow cards count as 1 point, red cards count as 2 points. Note: If a player receives two yellow cards consecutively in a match, the total points for the free kick bet will be counted as 3 points (one yellow card and one red card), rather than 2 points.
Types of free kick bets and how to play
Free kick bets come in various types, including the following:
Asian Handicap Free Kick Bet
This is a side bet based on the main Asian handicap bet. Therefore, this type of free kick bet will have a team favored and a team underdog. The favored team will give a certain handicap in terms of free kicks. However, unlike Asian handicap bets, there are no 0.25 and 0.75 handicap options in Asian handicap free kick bets, so players won't have scenarios of winning or losing half of their stakes.
To diversify the options for players, bookmakers now offer first half free kick handicap bets and full match free kick handicap bets.
Over/Under Free Kick Bet
This type of bet is based on prediction football win whether the total number of free kicks in the match will be higher or lower than the number set by the bookmaker. When participating in this bet, players have two choices:
Over Bet: If the total number of free kicks from both teams is greater than the bookmaker's set number, the player wins.
Under Bet: If the total number of free kicks from both teams is less than the bookmaker's set number, the player wins.
If the total number of free kicks from both teams equals the bookmaker's set number, the player gets a refund.
Odd/Even Free Kick Bet
In this type of bet, players wager on whether the total number of free kicks in the match will be an odd or even number. If the prediction is correct, the player wins the bet and receives the corresponding payout.
First or Last Free Kick Bet
As the name suggests, this type of bet is straightforward. Players simply predict and place bets on which team will receive the first or last free kick in the match.
1X2 Free Kick Bet
With the 1X2 free kick bet, players compare and choose between the home team and the away team, determining which team will receive more free kicks. Therefore, when participating in this bet, players have three options:
"1": The home team receives more free kicks.
"2": The away team receives more free kicks.
"X": Both teams receive an equal number of free kicks.
How to calculate free kick odds
Everyone participating in any type of bet wants to know how to calculate their winnings or losses. So, how do you calculate winnings for free kick bets? Here's a specific guide for you:
Money Calculation Formula
Winnings = amount wagered * odds
Where: odds are the payout ratio provided by the bookmaker on the betting slip.
Illustrative Example
Using the example in the image, let's say the bookmaker sets the over/under for free kicks at 3. If you bet 100k, there are three possible outcomes:
Scenario 1: The total number of free kicks in the match is greater than 3. If you choose Over, your winnings would be: 100 x 0.96 = 96k.
Scenario 2: The total number of free kicks in the match is less than 3. If you choose Under, your winnings would be: 100 x 0.86 = 86k.
Scenario 3: The total number of free kicks in the match equals 3. In this case, you would receive a refund of the 100k you wagered.
How to analyze free kick bets successfully for beginners
If you're a newcomer or still unsure about what a Free Kick Bet is, the following soccer hot tips for analyzing free kick odds will help you profit from this bet easily:
Thoroughly research both teams, including their playing style, tactics, match history, starting lineups, etc. This helps you understand if teams tend to play defensively or offensively, and which players are more likely to commit fouls.
Teams with a tendency to play fast and strong attacking football often receive more free kicks.
In knockout matches where one team advances and the other is eliminated, the weaker team typically receives more free kicks. Such matches are usually intense and therefore have a higher chance of more cards being shown.
Observe if any players on the teams have a reputation for frequently receiving cards. Teams with such players are likely to accumulate more free kicks.
Consider the importance of the match. Major tournaments like the World Cup or Euro tend to have more free kicks due to the high stakes and increased intensity.
Apart from team-related factors, pay attention to the referee officiating the match and their history of card issuance. This can help you make informed decisions.
Consult additional football news, analysis, and betting tips 1x2 from experts to estimate the number of free kicks likely to occur.
Conclusion
Through the article above, I hope you have grasped what a Free Kick Bet is as well as the necessary information related to this type of bet. Wishing you all the best of luck and success in your betting endeavors!