What is a ‘Futures’ Bet? | Betting 101

Trying to place a bet on something that’s already happened? 

Well there’s a reason it doesn't work: (slowly, like talking to a child) you can only bet on future events - things that haven't happened yet.

BUT -  not all bets on ‘the future’ are actual ‘Futures bets’. Confused? Well, you won't be in about 45 seconds.

‘Futures’ are bets placed on long term outcomes - usually made way in advance. 

Pick the winner of a season-long championship, the top scorer within a particular league or the winner of a standalone tournament.

Look into your crystal ball, crunch those numbers  - and pick an all-out, long term winner - BEFORE that championship or tournament has started.

The plus side - betting way in advance gives you way better odds. Leceister to win the EPL at the start of the 2015 season was +50,000 or 5000/1 . 24 people actually made that Futures bet and won!

The down side - betting way in advance exposes you to pretty much any known risk there is. Your bet could be undone right away by a sudden dip in form a bad run of results or the loss of a star player to injury, high profile kidnap scenario , or alien abduction  

So that’s Futures betting - pick the winner of a tournament or award, way in advance. And for wagers on alien abduction check our video on Prop betting…