Why do people bet Futures?

[dynamite140]

I never really understood this. I know many people bet on futures especially before the season starts whether its NBA, NFL or MLB. I know people may see a team like the Green Bay Packers and see +1800 to win SB and then they bet on it.

I don't understand why people bet on futures because that bet is going to take 1 whole season before you know whether you win or not. I mean i can see you betting on who you think will win the Super Bowl like right when the playoffs start but is it stupid for me to think betting futures is dumb?

For example, assuming a team like the Carolina Panthers have a good year this year and you bet them to win the superbowl at +6000 or something like that. Yes if they go 12-4 and look like a contender you feel great about your bet and they have 2nd seed in the NFC playoffs lets say.

But even if they win the divisional game and goes up against a real good team and loses in the NFC championship, you bet is a loss. Now i know many people bet futures and hedge along the way for a decent profit. However, is it wrong for me to believe most bettors bet a lot less money on futures than on a normal game?

Let's just say for example this person is a $100 bettor in a game. I mean i cannot see this person betting $100 on a future like Carolina +6000 odds to win superbowl for $100 to win $6000. I would expect this person to put $20 at the most on a future like this if they were a $100 bettor. I mean you have $20 to win $1200 as a future but even if you win the bet.... its not really 60 to 1 odds because I'm assuming most people don't bet futures to win superbowls the same amount as their normal bets?

Is my logic here flawed? I mean imagine a person who bets just $25 a game. He bet Carollina +6000 to win SB but only put $5. I mean isn't this useless even though its a $5 bet to win $300?

Now i know if you bet $1000 a game or higher, I'm pretty sure very very few people would bet $1000 on a future like this because its like throwing money away. Even if its on like the NY Jets to win the superbowl for $1000 to win $12000.

Thoughts?

[Waterstpub87]

Its one way to think about it. But, say your someone who has a ten thousand dollar bankroll. You bet 20$ a game on 5 games every weekend. It doesn't really matter to you if 5$ are tied up. So the excitement of watching that team for the entire season is worth the chance of winning on the long shot.

If you have an 100$ bank roll, 5$ is a lot. So it bothers you more to have it tied up.

The concept of money lost on futures is a much more difficult question to answer. You would have to calculate the vig on the singular bet vs. the entire category. this would give you the math factor of the house advantage. That the simple answer. The answer could be much more difficult with different variables in the equation.

[MJFtheGenius]

compulsive gamblers

[JW Cash]

I Never bet futures....it ties up your money for way long....

[Dr.Gonzo]

Futures can offer big value.

Now why do Americans accept such poor odds for futures and such weak markets? Well that is another question.

[in2thethickofit]

Could be dead by the end of a season...fuk that

[k13]

great for hedging, don't always have to bet before the season starts. you can get a great future right before playoffs.

When you grab Flyers 50-1 to win the cup, and so on, its hard not to win money.

[jjgold]

Well a good way to have interest/action all year without betting a lot of money

Although I do not bet them because I do not want money tied up that long

[blackbox]

To have a rooting interest all season long without having to wager everyday.

[joe blow]

Could be dead by the end of a season...fuk that

[bobbyfk]

I bet a future on the Baltimore Orioles under 74 1/2 games.....I love my chances

[dynamite140]

How much did you bet it for bobby? And is the size of this wager much less than the size of a normal bet you make?

[rm18]

i will sometimes but only for longshots, but if I had a huge bankroll I would bet futures, there are lots of good value bets i pass to keep my cash available

[Intuitive_Edge]

I never touch futures or prop bets. Just dont care for them

[jtarbear]

I agree , action everyday with out lots of cash

[excel]

People will bet on anything they think they have an advantage on.

[venice2222]

total waste of money

[bobbyfk]

How much did you bet it for bobby? And is the size of this wager much less than the size of a normal bet you make?

Risked $170 to win $130...I usually bet $50 a game

[stikymess]

Agree it ties up the money for too long.

[Alfie B]

I don't play futures often, but sometimes I get that feeling. 2 times I can think of recently were the 2002 Patriots, and the Yankees last year. Sometimes you just get that feeling and gotta go with it. My futures are few and far between, but they usually come in.

[Cuse0323]

Like to put money on futures when I'm doing well since I know I'll lose it all soon enough so might as well get some use out of it.

[1tarheelfan]

if you have more knowledge about a team or a particular conferance it could work in your favor big time. this isnt going to help anyone whatsoever,but i was listening to fox 1100am in vegas yesterday,and i found it to be guite informative.they were talking about fezzik laying 5,000 on futures,so i have to say iam really impressed.they said he normaly kicks ass,so if i hear him or any plays on that channel i will relay the games.

[str]

People look at it as season long action . It is something to watch the scores every day with , without having to bet everyday.
Not a big fan of it but done it before and probably will do it again.

[Brick]

I Never bet futures....it ties up your money for way long....

Definately bet all of your futures at credit accounts.

[36mafia]

great for hedging, don't always have to bet before the season starts. you can get a great future right before playoffs.

When you grab Flyers 50-1 to win the cup, and so on, its hard not to win money.

guaranteed money