Water polo is a dynamic and physical sport that, although not as popular as others, has gained relevance on online betting platforms. Thanks to the visibility of international events such as the Olympic Games and European competitions, water polo betting has increased in popularity.
Below, we explore the most common types of bets offered for this sport on online platforms in Spain.
1. Match Winner (Moneyline) Bet
The match winner bet, also known as the moneyline, is the simplest and most straightforward bet in water polo. In this type of bet, the punter simply chooses which team will win the match. Online platforms assign odds to each team based on their probability of victory. The favorite team will have lower odds, while the underdog team will have higher odds.
This type of bet is very popular in competitions such as the Spanish National Water Polo League, the Water Polo Champions League and the Olympic Games, where national teams and selections regularly face each other. To make an informed bet, it is important to analyze the recent performance of the teams, their history in the competition and the conditions of the key players.
2. Handicap Betting
Handicap betting is common in water polo when the teams have a significant difference in level. In this type of bet, a goal advantage or disadvantage is assigned to one of the teams to level the odds.
For example, if the favorite team has a handicap of -3.5, it must win by at least 4 goals difference for the bet to be successful. On the other hand, if you bet on the team under the +3.5 handicap, you can win the bet even if that team loses, as long as the loss does not exceed 3 goals difference.
Handicap bets are ideal for matches where one team is clearly superior, and the odds for a simple win are not attractive. This bet allows the match to be made more interesting and profitable for the bettor.
3. Total Goals Bet (Over/Under)
Bets on the total number of goals in water polo are similar to those found in sports such as football or basketball. In this type of bet, the bettor predicts whether the total number of goals scored by both teams in a match will be higher (over) or lower (under) than a specific figure set by the bookmaker.
For example, if the goal line is at 20.5, you can bet that more than 21 goals (over) or less than 20 goals (under) will be scored during the match. This bet requires an analysis of the teams’ playing style, their offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as the general pace of the competition.
4. Exact Score Betting
In exact score betting, the aim is to predict the final score of a water polo match. This is a riskier bet but offers higher odds due to the difficulty of guessing the exact result.
For example, you could bet that a match will end 10-8 or 12-9 in favour of a specific team. Exact score betting is often popular in key matches where a close contest is expected between two teams of similar level. To be successful in this bet, it is important to take into account the head-to-head history between the teams, the current conditions of the players and the tactics used in the game.
5. Live (In-Play) Betting
Water polo, like other sports, also offers live or in-play betting, which allows punters to place bets while the match is in progress. During the course of the match, online platforms adjust the odds based on what happens in the water. Bettors can bet on the winner of the next quarter, who will score the next goal, or whether a team will be able to come back from the scoreline.
Live betting is exciting as it requires quick decisions and real-time analysis. Bettors who are familiar with the pace of the game and the changes in momentum in water polo can find valuable opportunities in this type of betting. It is also useful to observe the performance of goalkeepers and key players during the match.
6. Outright Bets
Outright betting in water polo allows bettors to predict the outcome of an entire competition rather than a single match. This type of bet is common in major tournaments such as the Water Polo Champions League or the Olympic Games, where you can bet on which team will win the tournament or which team will take home the gold medal.
The odds for future bets are usually more attractive, as it is more difficult to predict the champion in a long competition with several teams. However, it is a bet that can offer great benefits if a thorough analysis of the participating teams and their chances is made.
Conclusion
Water polo offers a wide range of betting options on online platforms in Spain, from simple bets on the winner of the match to more complex options such as handicap bets, total number of goals and live bets. This sport, which combines strategy, physical endurance and tactical skills, gives punters many opportunities to enjoy the game and make money. To maximize the chances of success, it is essential to be well informed about the performance of the teams, the conditions of the players and the history of the matches.