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How does chess betting work?

How does chess betting work?

Chess is the pinnacle of head to head sports - a battle of the mind over the body. While different from most sports in that it is purely a game of strategy, skill and intellect without any physical component, it is nevertheless very hotly contested, with international competitions, ranking play and fortunes won and lost. As a spectator, chess is an exciting long-form watch, with matches that run several hours long. But that excitement only grows when you’ve got your own skin in the game. Chess betting is an increasingly popular option at online bookmakers, especially for fans of the professional game. But how do you bet on chess, and how do the odds work for chess betting?

How to bet on chess?

Chess is available as a sport you can bet on across a number of leading online bookmakers. While not as popular as a betting market compared to the likes of football, tennis and cricket, there are still betting markets, with odds quoted on different bet types to give you the opportunity to have your say and put your money where your mouth is. To bet on chess, you’ll firstly need to sign up to a sports betting site that quotes odds on chess, before depositing funds to your account. From there, you can choose the matches and the odds you want to back, clicking on the odds to add bets to your betslip. If your result comes home, you win, similar to any other sports bet.

Join Bet365

How does chess involve gambling?

Chess doesn’t involve gambling directly, but it’s possible for anyone to bet on chess via online sports betting sites. Online bookmakers quote odds on chess matches and tournaments, similar to a range of other sports, giving you the chance to bet on chess action - including live in-play action, where you can bet based on up to the minute odds on unfolding chess matches. The most common types of bets are outright bets on the match winner, but you can also bet on things like the opening move, number of moves, tournament winner and so on. Choose your bet and your stake on your betslip, and you’ll win a return on your stake at your odds if your result comes good.

Do bookmakers take bets on chess games?

Most online bookmakers take bets on chess games, despite the betting volumes being a little lower than in some other major sports. If you’re a fan of chess, you’ll find plenty of online bookmakers willing to quote odds and accept bets on chess matches and tournaments, just as you would with any other sport. In order to see the chess odds, you’ll need to navigate to the chess page at your chosen bookmaker, which is usually accessible from the left hand menu. If you can’t see chess as an option, click in further to investigate whether chess is supported - at most major bookmakers, you’ll be able to bet on upcoming and in-play chess action.

Join Betfair

How do chess odds work?

The odds in chess are calculated based on the market you’re betting on, and the form, skill and probabilities of different outcomes. Odds are set in the same way as they are in other sports, and are reflective of betting volumes, such that heavily backed players will trend towards becoming the bookies’ favourite. The odds are quoted for match winner, outright winner, opening move and a range of other markets depending on the likelihood established by the market. Where the odds seem adrift from what you think will happen, there can be good value in betting on chess outcomes at favourable odds.

Where to bet on chess events?

Chess is available for betting across a range of leading sports betting sites. Your sports betting giants like bet365 and Betfair all offer chess betting as one of many in a long lineup of sports. More niche sports betting sites may not offer chess, so it’s worth making sure that your chosen site offers chess betting before signing up and depositing to your account. In most cases, you’ll see chess matches quoted with odds across several different markets, so you should be able to bet on any chess events that take your fancy when you’re betting online. There are plenty options out there for punters who want to bet on chess - it’s often simply a case of choosing the right site for you. Betting sites as 22bet, Melbet, Tonybet or Megapari offer best chess odds!

Check out our reviews on the best chess betting sites for recommendations on where you can bet on chess.

Join Melbet

Should I bet on chess?

If you’re a chess fan, chess betting can make it all the more exciting to follow along with the action. With professional chess matches happening on a regular basis throughout the year, there is plenty of opportunity for betting on your favourite players, or on hotly contested matches and tournaments. If you think you have insight and you have opinions on how chess play will unfold, betting on chess can be a rewarding way to increase your personal stakes in the game. Of course, you should only ever do so responsibly and within your own limits. Set your budget for betting on chess and don’t chase your losses - with the right mindset and the right approach, betting on chess can be a fun, exciting addition to watching the live action unfold.

Chess is arguably not the first game that comes to mind when you think about sports betting. But there are markets available for betting on chess play, with money to be won for punters who make the correct choices at the right odds. Chess is increasingly presented as an option for punters across leading sports betting sites, where you can see live odds on upcoming matches and tournaments, as well as in-play odds on action that is taking place now. If you’re a fan of chess, or you’re simply looking for a different betting market to the usual options, it’s worth sizing up the odds to see whether you can find any opportunities for chess betting that suit you.

Join Tonybet

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