Betting has long been an exciting pursuit for many enthusiasts in India, especially with the rise of online platforms and the growing popularity of sports like cricket, football, and Kabaddi. In such a dynamic world, hedge betting is a protective strategy that can minimise risks and gain control over bets. But what is hedge betting, and how can Indian bettors avail of it?
In this blog, we are going to explore the concept of hedge betting in detail, provide hedge betting examples for Indian bettors, and then discuss how you can apply this strategy effectively. By the end, you’ll have a good understanding of hedge betting and how to use it to optimise your chances of winning or minimise your potential losses.
What is hedge betting?
Hedge betting is the technique of trying to minimise risk by placing additional bets on the same event covering various outcomes. The general idea is to either protect a profit or reduce any potential losses regardless of the outcome of the event. This kind of strategy is usually practiced by bettors when they intend to ensure a win or at least not lose everything with one outcome.
An example would be that if one had bet on Team A for the cricket match, he later makes a smaller bet in favour of Team B with the intention that when his team starts winning, then this small bet would ‘pay’ for the first bet. The latter bet now would act as a hedge-protection of the initial.
How does hedge betting work?
The mechanism behind hedge betting is taking advantage of changing odds in an event. This often occurs when one is engaging in live betting because the odds are continually shifting as the game is unfolding. The whole premise is to monitor the odds and make a hedge bet at the right time to have an expected result.
Why Indian Bettors Should Opt for Hedge Betting?
Hedge betting can be greatly useful for Indian betting people who want to balance the risks while enjoying the thrill of sports betting. Here’s why hedge betting is to be considered:
A hedge lowers the risk associated with the loss of your entire bet amount, and therefore, most cautious bettors favour this.
- Locking the Profits: The hedge betting method can allow you to lock in a profit even before the game comes to an end, giving you peace of mind regardless of the final outcome.
- Enhanced Control: Hedge betting gives the bettor more control over his wagers, which is a positive factor, especially in unpredictable sports like cricket.
Types of Hedge Betting
1. Pre-Event Hedge Betting
This is when you put your hedge bets before the event starts. This can be very effective when you find some good odds or perhaps you feel that the odds may change drastically when the game begins.
2. Live Rate Betting
This is also called the live hedge betting strategy that includes placing bets after the onset of the game while following fluctuating odds. For instance, in a closely balanced cricket match, you would be able to place your hedge bet if the team of your initial bet began failing midway through the game.
3. Multiple outcome hedging bet
For instance, in football or cricket, where the result of the game may be a win, loss, or draw, one can hedge bet on two different results. This is a surety that one will always have some amount returned, irrespective of which result happens.
How to Hedge Bet: Step-by-Step Guide for Indian Bettors
If you’re a rookie hedgebettor, read the following guides:
Identify a friendly bet with favourable odds.
Start with a favourite bet on the team or outcome that you think is most likely to win, and make sure the odds are reasonable enough to produce some income.
Monitor the Odds
Monitor the live odds of the game. Whenever there is a major shift in the odds that favours the opposite outcome, hedge the bet on that possible outcome.
Calculate your stake for a hedge bet.
Calculate the stake before placing this hedge bet, which will help in getting a balanced outcome. This stake should ideally be sufficient to cover any potential loss on the original bet.
Place the hedge bet at the right moment.
Hedge betting requires good timing. Suggest that the hedge bet be placed when one can still earn a profit or minimise losses without risking one’s overall balance.
Some Hedge Betting Examples for Indian Bettors
To better understand how hedge betting works, let’s have a look at some hedge betting examples for Indian bettors, especially focusing on cricket, which is the most popular sport in India.
Example 1: India vs. Australia in a Cricket Match
Let’s say you have placed a bet of ₹1000 on India to win at odds of 2.0, so in case India wins, you get ₹2000. During the match, Australia starts well, and the odds are changed to 2.5 for Australia.
Now you can place an amount of ₹400 hedging bet on Australia at odds of 2.5. In this way, if the match is won by Australia, you will get back ₹1000 (₹400 x 2.5), which will offset your loss of the original bet of ₹1000. If India wins, then you will still make ₹600 profit (₹2000 from the win of India – ₹400 on the bet on Australia). Either way, you’ve hedged your potential loss.
Example 2: Football Match—the Premier League
Suppose you have placed a bet of ₹2000 on Team A to win at 3.0 odds in a Premier League game. If Team A wins, you get ₹6000. But now the game is almost tied, and the odds on Team B are enhanced to 2.5.
You can now place a hedge bet with Team B betting at ₹1000 and 2.5 odds. Now, you will win if Team B wins because you get ₹2500, which will cover some of the loss from the initial bet. If Team A wins, then you have a chance to gain ₹5000 after the hedge. Hedging helps you avoid a complete loss and cushions for either event.
Pros and Cons of Hedge Betting for Indian Bettors
Like other betting strategies, hedge betting has both pros and cons. Indian punters need to know the following:
Advantages
- Minimise Overall Risk: Hedge betting is excellent for minimising potential losses; it is a safer form for cautious bettors.
- Secures Potential Profit: Hedge bets allow you to lock in a profit or avoid a loss, offering flexibility and financial security.
- Adaptability across sports: Hedge betting suits very well across different sports, particularly cricket and football, which are the most popular sports in India.
Cons
- Lower Profits: Any hedge betting will also most probably lead to lower winnings than doing nothing. For instance, an original bet’s profit will be lower due to paying for the hedge.
This involves complex calculations to work out balanced outcomes, which is pretty much difficult for a beginner.
- Timing and Patience Required: This means frequent monitoring of live odds, which is not suitable for bettors who love a swift result.
Tips for Indian Bettors Using Hedge Betting
If you’re keen to start hedge betting, here are a few tips to enhance your experience:
Understand your odds.
Calculate accurately Hedge betting requires you to understand odds thoroughly. Use online calculators or apps to ensure accurate calculations before placing hedge bets. Select sports with high volatility of odds. Sports like cricket and football are favourites in hedge betting since most odds do change very often. Others are close contests, and their chances do tend to fluctuate in both directions.
Set a profit target.
Set a profit target before making a hedge bet and determine it well, so you avoid unnecessary bets that may result in minimal returns.
Don’t Hedge Out of Panic
Hedge betting requires patience and analysis. One needs not put hasty hedge bets. Instead, the ideal stake should be calculated and wait for the best moment.
Practice with Smaller Bets
If you are a beginner in hedge betting, then start with small bets. This will help you get the fine difference without risking too much.
Legal Provisions Regarding Hedge Betting in India
Though hedge betting is a perfectly valid strategy in sports betting, Indian bettors should ensure they place their bets through legal and regulated platforms. Online betting laws in India are different in each state, so one needs to be informed about the local regulations before placing any bets. Most offshore betting sites, including Bet365 and Betway, are licensed outside of India, and you can use them to make hedge bets and to enjoy a whole variety of live sports markets. Most also have in-play betting, so you can make hedge bets all through the game.
Conclusion:
Hedge betting is a great strategy for Indian bettors in terms of risk reduction and making their betting approach more flexible. Calculated hedge bets can help you secure a profit or avoid significant losses, regardless of the outcome. Though it requires a little bit of skill and patience, hedge betting can enhance your overall betting experience considerably. Whether you are a cricket fan or a football enthusiast, hedge betting will help you to bet smartly, control your wagers, and enjoy the game without fear of losing everything. Start with small hedge bets to build up your confidence, continue practicing, and you will soon be able to make effective use of this strategy for many sports and events. I hope the above-discussed hedge betting examples for Indian bettors are also useful for you to enhance your knowledge.
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