In the world of sports betting, there’s a classification of wagering opportunities that is known as exotics. Exotics tend to be a strange collection of sports and non-sports wagers that you can find on most major bookmaking sites. The world of exotics is loosely defined; to some professional sports bettors any bet that’s not a spread, money line, or under/over is an exotic. That would include parlays, props, mixed parlays, futures, and teasers.
Exotics Basics
Along with the types of wagering mentioned above, exotics include betting opportunities related to TV shows, politics, and current events. Thus, the latest U.S. presidential race, shows such as Dancing with the Stars, The Biggest Loser, and American Idol, and the gender of a star’s soon-to-be-born child are all part of the exotics market that you’ll find at many of the bigger online sportsbooks.
Other exotics mentioned in various articles on our site include mixed parlays and various Super Bowl bets. Anything out of the ordinary and off the beaten path would be classified as an exotic.
Is There Value in Exotics?
The problem with exotics is twofold. First, they are very difficult to analyze, and often outcomes are dependent on chance or on the whims and judgments of the masses. The question is, as a sports bettor who works hard at handicapping games in order to make a savvy wager, are you willing to place a bet in which your profit is based on chance?
The other problem with many exotics is that they are so unusual that even if you could analytically figure them out, it would be difficult to make a bet with confidence. After all, how do you handicap a TV show, a political race, or someone’s DNA?
Amusement Value
The best thing to do if you are interested in exotics is to play them sparingly and wager very little. Once your sports betting has put you on the plus side of the ledger, take a small percentage of your winnings and enjoy some amusement betting by playing a few choice exotics.
Bare Knuckles Sports Betting
Successful sports bettors take a bare knuckles approach in their efforts to win cash on a steady basis. They keep focused on the season on which they are wagering, grinding out their picks in a workman-like fashion, and making sure that they are attending to every detail before they make their choices.
Don’t get caught up in betting on every odd exotic wager that you can find. Sportsbooks love exotics because they make a lot of cash off of them. Bettors tend to stay away from them because they know that the bookmakers are bringing in huge amounts of money on the various ridiculous bets that they offer and process. Stay true to sports betting, and with some sound effort and a list of smart picks, you’ll make cash while staying out of the quicksand of the exotics market.