Water Polo Review

Introduction to Water Polo Betting

Water polo does not seem to be an obvious betting sport. However, online bookmakers offer a range of betting markets across some important events. There are variances in the rules for the governing bodies. The international body that controls the sport is FINA. This organisation’s rules mean there is a penalty shoot out if scores are level after regular time. There are several levels for fouls, and the referee can award penalties if the foul warrants that decision. The sport lends itself to in-play betting due to the fluctuations in the scoring and the odds. Goals are plentiful and matches often produce at least 20 goals.

Betting Events

The most prestigious domestic leagues for betting are in Europe. The sport plays at the highest level in Spain and Italy, and the leagues in these countries are the most popular for betting. There are strong leagues in the United States, Canada and Australia. The best club sides in Europe compete in the Champions League, which is the equivalent of that competition in football. There are European Championship and World Championship finals which attract betting interest. Matches are shown live on television in mainland Europe and the coverage leads to more betting. Water polo betters can place wagers on the outright winner and match winner in the Olympics.

Betting Types

Water polo is a team game, and there is always a definite outcome. If the scores are level after 32 minutes, the outcome is decided by a penalty shoot out. The match winner market is a two-way, including penalties. However, customers can bet on the result after normal time. This market is a three-way, including the draw. Bookmakers accept water polo bets in pre-match, in-play and ante-post markets. There are often fluctuations in the scoring which create volatile betting markets. Changes in the odds make water polo a good sport for trading. At any time, either team can be the favourites and underdogs. Scoring trends promote in-play betting, and the most popular bet of this type is the match winner after normal time and not including penalties.

Water Polo Markets

The most popular water polo betting markets are the match winner after regular time which includes the draw. However, bookmakers also issue match prices, including any penalty shootout because there is always a definite outcome. Customers like also bet on handicaps and Under/Over number of goals. The line is usually set at 21.5, which reflects the average number of goals in water polo. Bookmakers offer more exotic markets such as the correct score and first scorer.