Futures Betting: What Is a Futures Bet?
Futures betting in sports is all about making your picks ahead of time to lock in the best odds. Whether you’re betting on baseball, soccer, NBA, or NFL futures, this bet type works the same way every time.
If you’re looking to get into sports betting futures, we’ll explain everything you need to know, including the top sportsbooks for futures bets. Learn how to read the odds, get some futures strategy tips, and discover why these bets are so popular with bettors.
What Is Betting on Futures?
Also known as outright betting or “outrights,” futures betting focuses on events stretched over a wide time period, such as sports tournaments or leagues. You place bets on the outcome of these events, focusing either on individual players or teams. For example, you might bet Brazil will win the Soccer World Cup.
Futures usually “go live” at the start of a season or tournament and run throughout the year. This means the odds will change over time, depending on the competition’s results.
How Does Betting on Futures Work?
Futures work by providing bettors with a list of outcomes at the end of a league or tournament. Possible scenarios include who’ll win the Super Bowl or finish at the bottom of the NHL’s Atlantic Division.
You can find futures odds on your sportsbook’s main page. At BetUS, for example, all baseball futures odds are under the baseball tab.
Here’s an example:
BetUS launched its 2024 World Series futures bets months before October. The odds show the Los Angeles Dodgers as the +325 favorites to win the World Series. That means you get $325 profit for every $100 you wager. The Houston Astros, meanwhile, are outsiders at +2200. Bet $100 here, and you could win $2,200, although it’s unlikely the Astros will win.
Make the Most of a Futures Bet
Winning a futures bet depends on your selection. Let’s use BetUS’s World Series futures market to explore how winning futures work. You can see the list of teams most likely to win the World Series. The odds are not in numerical order. This list shows which teams were favored to win when the futures odds were originally released.
So, the Braves were one favorite, and the Astros were the second favorite. However, if you look at the odds, you’ll see the team with the lowest figure is the Dodgers (+325), followed by the Yankees (+450).
The Yankees were ninth favorites at the start of the season, but are now second favorites.
To win this futures bet, you must back the team you think will win the World Series in October. But, as the BetUS odds here show, that’s not always so easy. The Yankees are performing better than their original odds (which set them as ninth favorites) suggested. The Astros are doing worse because their odds are now a lot higher.
What Are Some Sports Betting Futures Examples?
The best way to understand how futures betting works is to see some sportsbook examples. Below are futures bets for major sports that you can wager on.
NFL Futures
- Super Bowl winner
- NFL MVP winner
- NCAAF Championship winner
- NFL Championship winners
- NFL Divisional winners
NBA Futures
- NBA and WNBA Championship winner
- Team to make NBA and WNBA Playoffs
- Basketball MVP odds
- Rookie of the Year betting
MLB Futures
- Team to make the MLB Playoffs
- Pennants Winners
- MLB Divisional Champions
- World Series winners
NHL Futures
- Stanley Cup betting
- Seasonal MVP betting
- Conference winner odds
- Top Canadian / American team
Tennis Futures
- Grand Slam champions
- Player to win a specific number of Grand Slam
- Player to reach a tournament final
- Nationality of the US Open winner
Soccer Futures
- World Cup winners
- La Liga top-four finish
- Premier League relegation betting
- Champions League finalists
- MLS top goalscorer odds
Golf Futures
- Masters Tournament champion
- Player to win a specific number of Grand Slam
- Player to finish in the top 5
- World No. 1 at the end of the year
Horse Racing Futures
Also known as ante-post betting, horse racing futures include:
- Winner of the Kentucky Derby
- Horse’s prize money earned in a year
- Grand National winner
- Melbourne Cup winner
Want to know more about racing futures bets? See our guide on how to bet on horse racing.
Our Favorite Site for Futures Betting Beginners
BetUS Our Favorite Site for Futures Betting Beginners
BetUS is the best place for new players to start futures betting. The site is easy to navigate, letting you scroll through each sport’s futures odds before selecting the market to focus on. From here, you can place a futures bet with two clicks.
BetUS offers futures on all major sports. You can get picks and analysis from its Locker Room community and from BetUS TV. If you’re stuck, use the BetUS help pages to understand futures bets and find your ideal match.
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Basic Futures Betting Strategies
Futures betting is a great option for bettors just starting out. If you’re new to futures or sports betting in general, you’re in the right place. The Sports Geek loves helping people learn about betting the right way. Here are some strategies for placing basic futures wagers:
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Sports are a passionate pastime, but sports betting requires rational thinking. Do your research before placing a futures bet, analyzing what might happen throughout the season or tournament.
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Betting on sports you’re unfamiliar with is a recipe for disaster. It’s best to stick with what you know and deepen your knowledge. That way, you can make smarter futures betting choices.
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Hedging your bets is easier with futures bets than with live betting because they’re long-term bets. If your original bet doesn’t look good, you can always pick another one.
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Set a budget and a bankroll strategy to avoid putting yourself at financial risk. Futures bets tie your money in for a long time, so avoid betting more than you can comfortably afford.
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Futures odds are different across most sportsbooks. Shop around to find the best odds. Try BetUS to start, or look at our sportsbook reviews today.
Futures Betting Guides and Other Resources From The Sports Geek
Want to know more about sports betting? Here are some expert guides to help you on your journey:
Advanced Futures Betting Strategies and Tips
If you’re ready to develop a more comprehensive strategy for futures betting, here are some tips for getting started. These strategies are for experienced bettors. For now, newcomers should focus on getting comfortable with the basics.
1. Statistical Analysis
Stats help sportsbooks create their odds, but bettors can use them, too. Research historical stats and recent records. This can help you calculate probability in futures betting markets and spot where there’s value in the odds.
2. Team Analysis
Stay on top of the latest news for teams you plan to bet on. Look at injuries, draft picks, player trades, coach appointments, or anything else that might affect a team’s performance. The more analysis you do, the smarter your betting choices become.
3. Tracking Market Movements
Keep a finger on the market. If the odds of a team winning the World Series jump, look into why that is. Follow the futures odds every day. You can sometimes lock in a better price now than later.
4. Value Betting
Look for value within the lines to try and take advantage of a sportsbook’s higher odds. You might notice the futures odds on the NBA regular season MVP favor one player, but you suspect the price of the second favorite is too high. You might bet on the second favorite at one sportsbook and wager on the favorite at another to lock in the best price on both options.
5. Specialized Bankroll Management Techniques
Strategize how to get the most from your budget. Use our guide to build a sports betting bankroll that pays back regular profits. Learn how to create a budget for futures bets you know will tie up your money for months or longer.
6. Utilizing Technology and Tools
Tech advancements in sports have revolutionized sports betting. For example, you can use databases to find detailed stats and make more accurate predictions. Sportsbooks offer more detailed lines every season. From betting on the next NFL snap to an ace’s speed in tennis, the tech exists to help form your selections.
If you want help with artificial intelligence betting, we suggest exploring The Sports Geek’s AI picks.
Futures Betting Summary
Futures betting is great for bettors learning to lock in great odds. From NFL futures to betting on the Olympics, these markets cover all outcomes associated with the end of tournaments and leagues.
Our beginner and expert strategies for sports betting futures should help you get started. If you’re new, we recommend using BetUS’s Locker Room blog and BetUS TV service to make smarter choices.
Meanwhile, experienced bettors can benefit from more detailed strategies to boost their odds. Remember, the best futures bets are those that win, but you can learn from losing as well.
We wish you the best of luck.
