If you are new to sports betting, you may be vulnerable to losing money quickly by being too confident in a favorite and placing too much money thinking it is a certainty they will win. You feel like the highly-ranked team will be far too strong for their inferior opponent and put down lots of cash on a moneyline wager to back this belief up.
In sports betting lingo, this is known as a trap game. Trap games refer to when a bettor is too confident in one game, but due to factors such as injuries to key players or form or something happening in the game to alter things, and the underdog comes up trumps, leaving the bettor facing a big loss.
This guide will explain what a trap game means and the unique opportunities it can present to bettors.
What is a Trap Game in Betting?
A trap game is a phrase in sports betting where a team that seems nailed on to win before a game starts suddenly finds itself in a perilous position that could lead to an upset. There are numerous factors that could lead to good teams being involved in a trap, including:
Injuries: When you see a big favorite come out on the wrong end of a result, you might look at it first and think what has gone on there. Later when you find out they had lots of injuries, it suddenly makes sense. In brutal sports such as football, the losing team will often lose players throughout the game which obviously has a tangible effect on the result. This is common in an NFL game, especially when a QB goes down.
Fatigue: Not too dissimilar to injuries, it is worth keeping an eye on how many games a team is playing in quick succession. For example, if Notre Dame are coming off a short week and have been involved in close games, betting on them to win even if they are a huge favorite could certainly be a trap game. Look out for when teams are due to play and how much of a break they have between fixtures.
Outside Noise: A lot of things get said during a season, there is a lot of trash talk and pressure in particular for games involving rivals. These games sum up trap games, as the players may say too much in the media, giving the opposition even more ammunition to pull off an upset. We have seen recently the Bengals have had good results against the Chiefs, despite being underdogs every time they meet. There has been a lot of trash talk between the two teams meaning when they meet it makes it more tricky to go for the favorite.
Betting Lines Skewed: When there has been lots of money placed on the favorite, this can lead to a betting line looking off. Lines will be different depending on which bookmaker you are using, so make sure you shop around for the best odds.
Trap Games can provide opportunities
For clever bettors and those always looking for an edge, a trap game can provide some opportunities. Here is how you can use these games for your benefit:
Do your Research
I am a big sports fan. I really enjoy looking into all of the stats and data before a big match, but particularly for one, I am going to bet on. For example, if I was betting on soccer for an English Premier League game between Chelsea and Liverpool, I would look carefully at recent form, results, records of Chelsea players scoring against Liverpool and vice versa. Look at the point spread at various apps, what is the risk involved, is playing on a Monday night better or worse for a team? All of these things can help you avoid trap games in sports betting.
Betting on the Underdog
Most of the betting public and the odds tend to favor the expected winner. In most cases, they are seen as a good team and of course, nobody wants to lose money. However, this may mean the odds on the underdog become more enticing. Betting on the underdog can give you some big returns as there is more risk involved. It is a long regular season in sports like baseball, so there are plenty of upsets.
Don’t go Overboard
While trap games can end up being profitable, upsets don’t occur that regularly. You must weigh everything up and take a cautious approach and make sure you have all of the information before making a decision. You can fall victim to believing upsets happen all the time and then can become irritated when the favorites end up winning.
Conclusion
To summarize, understanding exactly what a trap game is and being able to identify one can be hugely beneficial in your sports betting strategy. You must recognize where the odds don’t reflect the team’s chances of winning due to a number of factors. By keeping your eye out for trends and conducting your own research, you can take advantage of opportunities to place wagers on underdogs and then enjoy the returns if the upset comes off. Always remember, though, that while trap games can seem really attractive, you should always be responsible and manage your bankroll in a controlled manner.
