Betting on Futures in NY

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Is it possible for you to make an accurate prediction about the next Super Bowl champion? What about the upcoming NBA MVP recipient? Or even the victor of March Madness?

Futures betting holds a prominent position in the realm of sports betting due to its straightforward odds and accessible markets. Simply select the team or player you believe will emerge victorious in a league, division, award, or other events. Then patiently await the outcome, and receive your payout based on the odds you secured when placing your bet.

With the increased availability of legal sports betting apps in New York, betting on futures has become more convenient than ever before. In light of this, we have put together a comprehensive guide that explains futures odds and the intricacies of futures betting.

Live futures odds

Are you interested in viewing live futures odds on an online sportsbook? Take a look at our live feed below, which displays futures odds for NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA golf, and other sports. Use the drop-down menu on the left to switch between different sports, and the other menu to toggle between available futures markets within each sport. If you find any odds appealing, simply click on them to be directed to the sportsbook and begin the betting process.

Futures betting explained

As the name suggests, a futures bet is a wager placed on the result of an upcoming event. The nature of these bets can differ significantly depending on the sportsbook and the sport in question. However, some of the most frequently encountered types include:

  • Which team is most likely to emerge victorious in their division/conference?
  • Which team is likely to emerge as the champion?
  • Who will be awarded the title of MVP?
  • Who among the players will hit the most home runs?
  • etc.

The range is extensive, encompassing teams, individuals, conferences, and leagues that span across various distances.

When making a bet, it is helpful to look at the odds provided by your preferred sportsbook. These odds give insight into the anticipated outcome according to the oddsmakers. Typically, when it comes to future bets, extremely favorable outcomes are not represented by negative odds, unless there is an overwhelming favorite. However, you can still gauge the oddsmakers’ expectations by considering the positive odds that are closest to zero.

As the event date approaches, the odds become more accurate and precise. This is because more information becomes available, including public betting trends. Your goal is to choose the winner with the highest possible odds. Sometimes, this means making a selection right after the lines are released. For instance, in cases like the Super Bowl, the lines are often released immediately after the previous Super Bowl concludes.

However, these are considered the most risky wagers in futures betting, so many bettors prefer to wait until there is more clarity. Although the odds may have changed, placing your bet early enough can still result in a lucrative return if you make the correct prediction. Since sports are a constant presence throughout the year, you can always find futures betting options whenever you decide to explore the sportsbooks.

Placing a bet becomes effortless when utilizing legal online sportsbook apps. Upon accessing the sportsbook homepage, you will easily spot a designated link exclusively for futures bets. By clicking on this link, you will be presented with a range of sports options. Navigating to a specific sport will unveil the available futures bets for that particular category.

To place a bet, simply click on the desired option, select the amount on the bet slip, and then confirm the wager.

Examples of futures bets

The NFL betting is the top choice for betting on professional sports in the United States. For instance, let’s assume you have decided to place a bet on the future Super Bowl champion. Here is a possible representation of the listing on the WynnBet NY sportsbook app:

  • Kansas City Chiefs: +525
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +900
  • Green Bay Packers: +900
  • Buffalo Bills: +1200

As mentioned earlier, the favorites can be identified by looking for the team with either negative odds (uncommon in futures bets like this) or the team closest to zero. In this scenario, the Chiefs emerge as the favorites.

After conducting extensive research, suppose you have concluded that the Packers will emerge as the champions. In such a scenario, if you wager $100 on +900 odds and the Packers emerge victorious, the sportsbook would grant you $1,000. This amount includes your winnings of $900 along with your initial bet of $100.

Perhaps you lack the avidity for football necessary to place a bet on the Super Bowl, but you hold a deep fascination for basketball and have a strong desire to wager on the upcoming NBA MVP recipient. In your search, you may stumble upon futures betting odds resembling the following:

  • LeBron James: +175
  • Joel Embiid: +300
  • Nikola Jokić: +500
  • Luka Dončić: +1200
  • Steph Curry: +1400

After conducting thorough research, it is possible to deduce that Nikola Jokić stands a strong chance of winning the MVP award this time. Should your prediction turn out to be correct, placing a $100 wager would yield a total return of $600, comprising your initial bet along with a profit of $500.

Here’s another illustration for you, this time involving Major League Baseball. Suppose you place a futures bet on the player who will accumulate the highest number of hits in the regular season. Below are the odds offered by your preferred sportsbook:

  • Whit Merrifield: +1100
  • Trea Turner: +1200
  • DJ LeMahieu: +1400
  • Mookie Betts: +1400
  • Francisco Lindor: +2000

You may need to conduct some brief research, compare schedules, and analyze statistics before making your selection. After doing so, you might conclude that DJ LeMahieu is the ideal choice. However, this time you have placed a $200 bet. If you happen to win, you stand a chance to receive $1,400 for every $100 wagered, resulting in a potential payout of $3,000. This includes your initial wager of $200 and an additional $2,800 in winnings.

Why do futures odds and lines shift?

As the event you are placing your bet on approaches, the frontrunners will gradually become more apparent. For instance, consider our example of betting on the Green Bay Packers to win the Super Bowl in the NFL.

If the Pack kickstarts the season with a series of triumphs, there will undoubtedly be a change in the odds due to their displayed potential to reach the ultimate goal. The odds will further shift if they manage to secure victory in their division, and likewise if Green Bay emerges victorious in the conference, earning them an opportunity to compete for the Lombardi Trophy.

Furthermore, should the general public heavily favor the Packers as the potential Super Bowl winners, sportsbooks will modify the odds to make other teams appear more enticing and reduce the potential risk of paying out a large number of early bets. If there is a significant imbalance in public betting towards a specific outcome, sportsbooks will adapt their odds in order to ensure optimal profitability.

Line movement can also be observed when there is major injury news concerning a team, significant player acquisitions in free agency, or when individual contributors on specific teams demonstrate exceptional or subpar performance.

Which sports are best for futures betting?

The initial response is that it is advisable to place bets on sports that you genuinely enjoy betting on. Legal sportsbooks offer a wide range of futures bets for almost every popular sport in the United States.

Yankees ALCS odds
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

However, we understand that you may be seeking new futures bets to explore. Fortunately, you’re in for a treat as sportsbooks feature every major sport in the US, along with numerous international sports.

The NFL holds the crown when it comes to sports betting in the nation, so it should come as no surprise that it offers an abundance of futures bets. However, other major sports leagues such as MLB, NBA, college football, and college basketball also boast impressive figures in terms of betting opportunities.

In most sportsbooks, the second-tier sports available for futures betting encompass the NHL, various soccer leagues, MMA, tennis, motorsports, and golf. These sports offer a range of futures bets, which may include options such as:

Handicapping your futures bets

When it comes to handicapping futures, the approach differs from your usual betting strategy. Instead of focusing on specific games or individual performances, you aim to predict the overall outcome of the season with limited information. Although it may seem challenging, handicapping futures can be an enjoyable task that is simpler than anticipated.

To effectively predict future outcomes, it is crucial to begin by examining the available lines. Upon reviewing these opening lines, you will come across favorites, underdogs, and even long shots. Each of these positions is determined based on the oddsmakers’ expertise in foreseeing the future events as accurately as possible.

However, there are often hidden opportunities in these odds. While researching, you may come across mid-range underdogs that initially seem unremarkable. Yet, as you gather more information, you might discover enough evidence to believe they have a strong chance of winning the futures bet you’re analyzing. If you find yourself in this position and feel confident in your findings, don’t hesitate to place a wager. These are the types of bets that can yield significant rewards. However, it’s crucial to remember that underdogs are categorized as such for a reason, and more often than not, they will not finish in the top spot.

While handicapping, make sure to watch out for potential underdogs and your favorite top contenders. Betting on both won’t exhaust your budget, and it adds an extra level of excitement and enjoyment to watch the season unfold.

To enhance your handicapping skills in futures, it’s crucial to conduct extensive online research beforehand. The internet offers a plethora of free resources that can assist you in developing an effective handicapping strategy. Utilizing the valuable advice provided by professional sports bettors and analysts will undoubtedly contribute to your growth as a handicapper.

Sportsbook rules for futures betting

Each sportsbook has its own specific rules concerning the conditions under which a bet can be canceled or pushed, what qualifies as a no-bet, and other related aspects.

In order to grasp the approach taken by your preferred sportsbook in dealing with different scenarios that may arise in sports betting, it is essential to thoroughly peruse the terms and conditions that require your acknowledgment during the account registration process. This is where you will discover explicit rules and guidelines governing each sport and type of wager.

It is important to emphasize that you should only utilize legal and regulated sportsbooks at this moment. Although you may encounter “offshore” betting websites that evade the wagering laws in your state, it is essential to understand that not only is placing a bet with them illegal, but it also entails significant risks.

Unregulated sportsbooks lack supervision and are not obliged to fulfill your wagers. In the event of a win, they may refuse to pay you. Without caution, they might even withdraw unauthorized funds from your accounts. Moreover, since these offshore books operate outside the legal framework, you will have no recourse if such issues arise, leaving you with no viable options.

When utilizing legal sportsbooks, there is a governing agency overseeing their operations. In case any issues arise, you can contact the customer service team at the sportsbook to seek a resolution. If this proves unfruitful, you have the option to contact the regulatory agency responsible for overseeing sports betting.

To ensure their licensing remains intact, sportsbooks and casinos adhere to the rules and regulations strictly and maintain customer service teams to promptly handle any problems you may encounter.

Futures betting recap

The realm of futures betting centers around long-term wagers, offering a diverse market filled with numerous choices for all major sports in the United States. From professional teams to individual achievements and beyond, it presents ample opportunities for bettors.

Whether it’s through a mobile app, website, or physical location, a legal sportsbook offers a wide range of betting options. You can place bets on various outcomes, including predicting the next world champion, determining the rookie of the year, or speculating on a team’s final position at the end of the regular season in their respective sport.

When it comes to researching and analyzing futures bets, the approach differs slightly from other types of wagers. This is mainly because you are aiming to place your bets based on a more extensive evaluation of an entire season or upcoming event. Utilize online resources available for free to enhance your handicapping process and increase your chances of winning.

It’s not wise to only go for the popular choices. While the oddsmakers have expertise in selecting the most likely winners, it doesn’t mean you should overlook an underdog that you have a strong intuition about, backed by your own research.

In the futures market, your losses are likely to exceed your wins, but when you do achieve a victory, the outcome can be quite profitable. It is important to monitor your bankroll and engage in responsible betting. Avoid the temptation to pursue losses in an attempt to recoup your funds.

The most enjoyable aspect of futures betting is the long-term engagement it offers in the sports you have placed bets on. This contributes to a heightened level of entertainment and interest throughout the season, which is ultimately the essence of this hobby.