What do Odds Tell Us?
Betting odds tell us two things: If you place a bet, the numbers underline how much you will receive in the event of a winning stake. The second element of odds is more advantageous for fantasy sports enthusiasts. The numbers indicate the probability of something happening.
Basketball is a popular option among the Daily Fantasy Sports community, so let’s consider the NBA odds for a regular season match between the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards. The Nets carry shorter odds, which means they are the favorites.
Washington, with its higher price, is the underdog. In this scenario, the sportsbooks tell us that Brooklyn is likelier to win.
Speculating on match results remains the most popular form of betting, but there are additional markets that offer more help to fantasy team managers.
Player Propositions
Within every team sport, there are markets relating to individual players. These are called player props, a shortened term for ‘proposition.’ The sportsbooks propose that something might happen during a game or across a sporting season.
There is a market for the NBA’s most valuable player. This prestigious award is given to the man who has delivered the best stats while driving his team towards the finals series.
A quick look at those figures will reveal the favorites to claim the award. Those carrying the shorter odds are the players in form. Not only are they market leaders, but they are also more likely to influence your fantasy team.
With the season-long MVP market, betting odds for every match in the NBA season exist. Ahead of each game, the odds-setters will consider who is in contention in each team, and a set of options will be listed for key individuals.
For example, it may be possible to bet on a specified player and stake on the number of points scored, assists, rebounds, and three-pointers.
Once again, if a player carries short odds, they are top quality and in good form. Those at the head of each market are worth considering as part of your fantasy roster. This information is readily available, but the NBA isn’t the only sport where odds can help your DFS choices.
Supporting Sports
Globally, soccer is the most popular sport for fantasy games. Leagues and competitions were set up in the UK by national newspapers before the digital revolution. Many began when the English Premier League began in 1992, and some of those early adopters are still involved.
Soccer is another sport where the betting markets can help fantasy players make more informed choices. Once again, there are options for the outright winners of leagues and cups, while many other bets focus on individual players.
Across the season, sportsbooks will offer prices for the leading goalscorer in the top leagues. These figures fluctuate regularly, telling you who is in form and who is struggling in front of the target.
For individual matches, there are odds in place for goal scorers. Who will score the first goal and find the net at any time in 90 minutes? It may also be possible to find markets on whether a player will provide an assist or have a shot on target.
Not all sportsbooks have comprehensive player props, but those that do could prove invaluable.
Similar betting options exist in NFL, baseball, hockey, rugby, cricket, and any popular team sport covered by the bookmakers. Player prop markets are established, and the odds are set before the games. As a fantasy sports manager, finding the players with the shortest odds could provide essential information for your roster.
Next time you’re planning the roster for your daily fantasy sports team, make sure you look at the betting markets. Along with your regular research, the odds shown can offer key insight into the players in form and those who are underperforming.
These markets are readily available for the NBA but can be considered for any team sport, including soccer, NFL, baseball, hockey, and others. The information is an undervalued resource for fantasy players and could help you gain an advantage over the opposition.