Victor Arum is a seasoned sports betting writer who currently contributes to SportsTalkPhilly. He creates insightful guides and how-tos to help sports bettors formulate winning strategies and make informed wagers. Victor also reviews and rates sportsbooks, deeming them a SMASH or PASS. When not analysing sports betting patterns or writing, he's probably stretching at the gym or (re)watching a sitcom
All posts by Victor ArumRound betting is a type of wager in boxing and MMA where bettors predict in which round the fight will end. The principle is simple and the same for both sports, but it varies based on the length of the contest.
Our dedicated Sports Talk Philly combat sports expert will answer, in detail, the question – what is round betting in boxing and MMA? and present everything there is to know about this popular line. You’ll learn how round betting works and its advantages and get some top tips for betting on the fight game using this method. Read on to understand the rudiments of round betting.
How Does Round Betting Work in Boxing?
When it comes to round betting in combat sports, it is important to note that there are three variants. These include betting on individual rounds, a group of rounds, and over/under a certain number of rounds, too.
- Individual Rounds: You bet on a specific round in which you think your chosen fighter will win. For example, betting on “Canelo to win in Round 10.”
- Group of Rounds: You bet on a range of rounds. For instance, “Ryan Garcia to win by KO/TKO in Rounds 7-8.”
- Over/Under Rounds: You bet on whether the fight will last more or fewer rounds than a number set by the sportsbook. For example, wagering on “Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter to last Over 7.5 Rounds.”
In each case, to win your bet, you must correctly predict the round or range of rounds in which the fight ends or whether it will go over or under the sportsbook’s specified number of rounds.
What Is Individual Round Betting in Boxing?
In boxing, individual round betting allows you to bet on the exact round a fight will end. You can place a bet on any specific round, whether it’s a four-round fight, an eight-rounder, a 10-rounder, or the full 12 rounds.
With this method of round betting, you are simply wagering on the precise round that a bout will end. For your bet to win, your chosen fighter must finish the fight in the round you’ve selected. For example, if you bet on Israil Madrimov to defeat Terence Crawford in Round 9, this means that Madrimov must end the fight in his favor during the ninth round for you to win.
Individual round betting can offer great value and enticing odds. If you accurately predict the exact round of a fight, your winnings can be quite substantial.
Below is an example of how individual round betting will look at a sportsbook.
What Is Group Round Betting in Boxing?
In group round betting, you wager on a range of rounds instead of just one. This bet type is a bit more flexible and gives you a better chance of winning, but the odds are usually lower than individual round betting.
Group round betting means you can bet on two or more rounds combined. For example, you may bet on a fight to finish between Rounds 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, or 10-12. Since you are covering multiple rounds, the chances of winning are higher. Therefore, the odds are lower than when betting on a single round, but they still offer good value.
Then, there is the option of grouping two rounds together. As shown in the image below, you can choose to bet on whether the fight will end in Rounds 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, or 11-12. This is the second most appealing round betting option in terms of odds, just behind individual round betting.
Another option is grouping rounds in a boxing bout into thirds. This means betting on whether the fight will end in Rounds 1-4, 5-8, or 9-12. With this method, you have a four-round window for your selected fighter to win. This gives you a wider range, increasing your winning chances compared to individual round betting.
The fourth and final group round betting example is splitting the fight into two halves. This means wagering on whether the fight will end in Rounds 1-6 or Rounds 7-12.
All of the best boxing betting sites in the US offer these four different round betting options. The availability of these options can depend on the importance and length of the fight.
In women’s boxing, fights are typically 10 rounds of 2 minutes each. In this case, round betting rounds may be split into the first half and second half or into five different bets covering two rounds each when using group round betting.
What Is Over/Under Round Betting in Boxing?
The third type of round betting in boxing is over/under wagering on the total number of rounds. This involves betting on whether a fight will last more or fewer rounds than a set number. This set number always ends in .5, such as 6.5, 8.5, or 10.5 rounds.
For example, take the fight between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, as shown below. The sportsbook set the round betting total at 9.5 rounds. If you bet on the fight lasting over 9.5 rounds and it goes into the 10th, 11th, or 12th round, you win. Also, if you wager the fight to end under 9.5 rounds and it finishes in the 9th round or earlier, you win.
How Does Round Betting Work in MMA?
Round betting in MMA is similar to boxing but with some key differences that make it unique. The most notable difference is the length of fights. Most MMA fights are 3 rounds of 5 minutes each, while UFC title fights are 5 rounds of 5 minutes. On the other hand, boxing title rounds are 12 rounds of 3 minutes each.
Since MMA fights are shorter, round betting is less common compared to boxing. There are fewer rounds to bet on, which means fewer opportunities to cash a winning ticket.
However, like boxing, MMA round betting also comes in three variants: individual round betting, group round betting, and over/under round betting. All the best UFC betting sites in the USA offer these options.
UFC Round Betting Rules
There are some UFC round betting rules to consider when it comes to wagering on fights in the octagon.
First, when betting on over/under total rounds, the .5 means halfway through the round. For example, if the over/under is set at 1.5 rounds, the “over” bet wins if the fight goes past 2:30 into the second round.
Another rule of round betting in UFC is about what happens if a fighter withdraws between rounds. In this case, the fight is deemed to have ended in the previous round for the purpose of the round betting settlement.
For example, if a fighter withdraws from a contest between Round 4 and Round 5 of a UFC title fight, then the fight will go down as a loss in Round 4 for that fighter. If you had bet on the other fighter to win in Round 4, your bet would be a winner.
If you are more of a boxing fan who’s hoping to diversify into MMA wagering, you can learn all about how to bet on the UFC with this useful guide. It’s important to fully understand the wildly different rules of the Octagon before making the switch.
Pros & Cons of Round Betting Explained
There are advantages and disadvantages to round betting in MMA and boxing. While the potential winnings are much higher when round betting, there is a small margin for error, and it is difficult to select individual rounds.
Here are some of the biggest upsides and drawbacks of round betting in UFC/boxing:
Pros- Bigger/more lucrative odds
- Can be more profitable
- Can be more exciting than moneyline bets
- Creates a valuable bet in fights that offer little value elsewhere
Cons- Difficult to predict individual rounds
- Small margin for error
- Requires an in-depth knowledge of boxing/MMA
Effective Round Betting Strategies
Winning is never guaranteed in sports betting. However, to increase your chances of winning when using the best sports betting apps for round wagering, consider these five effective strategies.
1. Check A Fighter’s Record
Researching a fighter’s record is key. Do their fights often go the distance? Do they have a history of early stoppages? Are they prone to late stoppages?
These are all things to consider when round betting in boxing and MMA. Research is paramount.
2. Combine Round Betting With Fight Winner
You can bet on individual, group, and over/under rounds when both boxing and UFC round betting. However, combining round betting with picking the fight winner offers better odds. For example, instead of wagering on Round 1, bet on who will win in Round 1 for higher returns.
All of the best US offshore sportsbooks will offer round betting on its own, but will also combine with the fight winner.
3. Consider The Weight Class Of Fighters
Historically, fights in the heavyweight division are more likely to end via knockout. This is because the fighters are heavier and, thus, more powerful. In contrast, lighter weight classes like flyweight and bantamweight often go the distance.
Therefore, considering the weight class of a fight before placing round bets could be a useful strategy when considering round betting in boxing and UFC.
4. Who Is The Referee?
Consider who the referee is before placing your round bets in boxing and MMA.
Some referees tend to let fighters take more damage before stopping a fight, while others are much quicker at jumping in and halting the action. Knowing the referee can help you decide if the fight might end early or go the distance.
5. Split Stakes Across Individual & Group Round Betting
To increase your chances of winning, split your bets between individual and group rounds.
For instance, if you think Canelo Alvarez will win in Round 1, place half your bet on Round 1 and the other half on the groups 1-3. This way, if the fight goes past the first round and into the second or third, you still have a chance of profiting.
What Is the Best Sportsbook for Round Betting on Boxing?
For round betting in boxing and MMA, BetUS is one of the best sportsbooks for US players. They offer a wide range of options for upcoming fights, often providing markets much earlier than competitors.
Not only that, but BetUS offers a comprehensive list of betting options, including individual rounds, group rounds, and over/under total round betting. You can also bet on either fighter to win in specific rounds without having to choose a specific fighter.
While BetOnline and Bovada also offer a wide range of markets for boxing betting, BetUS stands out. Their odds are competitive; they offer more markets and make them available earlier, and their betting site is very user-friendly.
If you’re exploring options for online betting, it’s essential to consider all available platforms, including those offering offshore poker, as they often feature diverse betting markets, including specialized options like round betting in boxing.
The Last Word
To conclude, there are plenty of options for round betting in both boxing and MMA. Both sports offer a variety of round betting markets for the biggest and best fights worldwide.
Understanding round betting in detail helps bettors make informed choices and find value in their bets. As previously mentioned, research is imperative when round betting and implementing an effective strategy. Exploring all three variants of round betting can help in becoming more profitable and successful.
Round Betting FAQs
What does a fight going the distance mean for round betting?
Is round betting a good bet type in boxing and MMA matches?
Where can I bet on rounds in combat sports online?
What is round betting in boxing and MMA designed for?
Is round betting a profitable way to bet in boxing/MMA?
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