Badminton Betting

With hundreds of tournaments worldwide each year, including the Thomas Cup and the BWF World Championships, badminton has started to become more prominent. It often comes to the forefront of the public’s attention during the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

While it’s not the most popular area for betting, it can be profitable for those bettors looking to move away from mainstream sports, such as football. In this guide, we break down the fundamentals of badminton betting. We address how to bet on badminton, where you can find some of the best badminton betting bonuses and how to win money betting on badminton.

While not all the bookmakers in the UK offer badminton as a betting option, there have been strides to cater to all bettors. Betting on badminton can be fun, but also challenging. New companies, however, are entering the market all the time and the types of offers available will depend on the tournament.

To understand betting on badminton, it is advisable to check out the variety of markets that are on offer. The match outright markets are ubiquitous. But some bookmakers may not be able to offer markets for total points over under section or who will lead after the first set.

Badminton is a high octane sport and it has become an attractive proposition on which to bet. As far as bookmakers go, 888sport is well stocked with great betting markets where matches and tournaments across the world are regularly priced up. The better bookmakers generally have at least three or four markets to bet on and there will be markets in-play, too. Here, matches will be complete with live score graphics and stat breakdowns. Bettors will also benefit from a live stream.

Similarly, Paddy Power prices up a good number of matches and it has a dedicated badminton section on its website. Bettors can bet on a wide number of in-play markets and that includes the winner of specific bets.

Most importantly, it is best to take time and shop around to find a betting site that works for you. While some bookmakers have made an effort to increase the number of markets they offer, some are still lacking in this area and aren’t user friendly. Before committing to an individual bookmaker, try and compare the odds and look at the average payout levels.

Betting on badminton is similar to betting on tennis. As it is split into sets and games, it can be straightforward to win money betting on badminton. To understand betting on badminton, start with the ‘player to win’ market. This entails predicting the winner of a match. For tournaments, this will be available to view days beforehand. Be wary that bookmakers will tend to offer very short odds for the favourite.

Away from straight bets, the correct score is also a tempting market. Badminton matches are usually a best-of-three sets affair and to win a set, a player has to accrue 21 points. But within that, there will usually be plenty of twists and turns. The correct score market will therefore have two lines available — 2-0 or 2-1. Bettors will, therefore, be able to access odds for a player to win or lose a match 2-0 or 2-1. This is a lucrative market for bettors who can spot trends within matches.

For those who are more familiar with how to bet on badminton, they can explore the handicap market. As there are only two types of match results available in badminton, some players will have fixed prices depending on their level of ability. A veteran, for example, who has won many of the titles throughout his or her career, may have a plus sign placed beside their name. For example, if they are at +1.5, you will get a return on your bet as long as they win a set. The market has value, especially where the odds are set in clear favour of a winner. In badminton, it is not uncommon for players to mount a fightback and recover from going a set behind before winning the match.

With badminton becoming a more popular sport to bet on nowadays, bettors want to be able to access the best betting sites. Finding a reputable site in a saturated market may not always be easy. However, a good starting point is to look at the RTP (Return to Player) figure. Typically, anything around the 90% mark is considered to be good, but some of the best bookmakers will offer higher payouts for bigger tournaments.

While badminton is a niche sport, the breadth of markets available helps some bookmakers to stand out. As mentioned previously, the ‘player to win’ betting market is a common outright market, but if there are more handicap and other ante-post markets listed, this will lend itself nicely to bettors looking at how to win when betting on badminton.

Reviews will also dictate whether to trust particular bookmakers. Reviews are constantly carried out with those who have specialist knowledge of the industry as well as customers who have used bookmakers in the past and wish to share their experiences. Bad customer service won’t reflect well on a bookmaker.

For some bettors, they may prioritise how quickly they can cash out their winnings as well as methods of withdrawing or deposit funds. Some bookmakers only accept certain types of payment methods, so be sure to check first before pursuing it further.

Badminton betting bonuses vary from one bookmaker to another and there may be some great loyalty programmes available. Ladbrokes, for example, has an attractive package for first time bettors as it is more conscious of those who are working with tight budgets. Bettors can triple their stake and there is usually a minimum of £5 per bet, so they are not spending beyond their means.

Whereas Coral offers an outstanding service for badminton as it serves fewer markets. Coral likes to entice new bettors with the offer to bet £5 and get a £20 free bet. Terms and conditions will apply, so be sure to read them first before signing up. You have to be 18+ to play on the site.

Paddy Power is also a highly recommended sportsbook to bet on badminton. New bettors can qualify for a £20 risk-free bet. Therefore, with your first bet, you can bet on any market and if you lose, you will be automatically refunded your stake in cash. Sometimes, bettors are better off joining a bookmaker that doesn’t have a wagering bonus attached.

If you want to win money betting on badminton, you will need to have some handy strategies to fall back on. Some small things can have a big influence, such as the temperature or humidity of an indoor badminton court. In some countries where there is little to no interior climate control, the shuttlecock can travel at high speed. A hard-hitting player may have an advantage over a more defensive-minded player when they can win quick points with a powerful smash.

A player’s psyche will also influence your betting decisions. Are some players looking more or less confident than others heading into a tournament? Do they have a mental block against some players? Some players try to manage their schedule carefully so they peak in time for the major tournaments. Also, the head-to-head record is crucial. If a player has an edge over a certain opponent, then this can hold sway.

Badminton betting odds are provided before (ante-post) and during a tournament. For tournament odds, British bookmakers will present their odds in fractional format and the tournament favourites will tend to be priced very low — as short as 1/12 on, for example.

Prices drift and shorten depending on the quality of the field and the draw announcement. A lot of bookmakers set their odds depending on the ranking of an individual player, so sometimes there can be more value in backing the underdog.

Where can I find the best odds for badminton?

The best bookmakers will endeavour to provide the most competitive odds. However, the onus is on the bettor to shop around and compare odds before the start of a tournament. Some bookmakers, as mentioned previously, may rely solely on a player’s ranking to inform them how to set the prices.

The best approach is to join a bookmaker that offers a low betting margin. Your chances of success are directly related to the average margin. However, the lower the margin, the better that is for the bettor. Always do your research before spending your money at a particular site. Sticking to badminton betting sites that consistently offer low margins and competitive betting odds will serve you well in the future.

Badminton has rather limited TV coverage. However, the sport’s governing body has an official YouTube channel where you can watch matches.