MMA betting is an exciting and potentially lucrative form of sports betting. However, it can be easy to lose money if you don’t have the proper knowledge and strategy. This article will help you make smarter bets and increase your chances of winning. It will also teach you the basics of MMA betting, including odds, money lines, and prop bets.

Unlike baseball and hockey, MMA is a mixed martial arts sport that features both striking and grappling techniques from several different disciplines. This makes MMA betting unique and challenging. While many people bet on the winner of each fight, there are many other betting options available as well. Some of these include the money line, over/under rounds, and method of victory. The money line shows how much a player can win for their wagers in terms of dollars per $100 wagered. A minus (-) indicates the favorite while a plus (+) indicates the underdog. The money line can be found on electronic wagering displays and on sportsbooks’ wagering sheets.

Betting on a fighter to win by submission is one of the most popular wagers in MMA betting. This type of bet rewards risk-taking in the form of higher payouts than bets on which fighter will win a particular round. This type of wager is particularly important in MMA, where fighters often win by submission rather than knockout.

Another popular wager in MMA is the over/under rounds. This wager lets you bet on how many total rounds the match will last. It is important to note that a fight may end in a draw, which will result in your wager being refunded.

In MMA, it is important to do some research on each fighter before placing your bets. Consider their fighting styles, recent performance, and past experience. Taking the time to research each fighter can give you an edge over the bookmakers. For example, if you bet on a fighter with a strong ground game, look for recent performances against grapplers.

The best way to bet on MMA is by using the live betting option, which allows you to make wagers during the fight. This can be a lot more exciting than pre-fight betting, and it can also allow you to capitalize on great odds that sportsbooks have overlooked. In-play betting can be especially beneficial if you want to place a parlay bet, which combines multiple selections into a single wager with the potential for a higher payout.

MMA odds are constantly changing as the fight draws closer. This is because fighters often go through drastic measures to avoid missing the weight cut, including overtraining and starving themselves. These methods can leave them drained and weakened before the fight even starts, so bettors should always keep an eye on a fighter’s weight class and their training camp to make informed betting decisions. In addition, it is important to be aware of how a fighter’s size and reach can affect the outcome of a fight.