An evens bet is fundamentally placed at odds of 2.00 (or 1/1) and is theoretically associated with a 50:50 winning chance. For many players, these prices represent an optimal blend of risk and payout because the potential returns equal the starting stake if the wager wins. This concept, known as “evens,” means you are betting to double your money. The strategy is often considered optimal for beginners or experienced bettors who utilize specific betting systems to help bolster their bankroll.
Understanding Evens Betting and the House Edge
The most straightforward explanation of evens betting is doubling your stake after every win, similar to placing a red or black wager in European roulette. You can find odds around 2.00 across virtually all sports, including football, basketball, the NFL, and tennis.
However, it is essential to recognize that betting on EVS does not guarantee a pure 50:50 winning chance. This is due to the Vigorish (VIG), which represents the percentage of every bet the bookmaker keeps for the house.
- In a situation involving two perfectly equal teams, the odds should ideally be 2.00 for each winner, but this is unrealistic once the VIG is factored in.
- Bookmakers embed the VIG into the odds, often resulting in shortened prices, such as 1.90 – 1.90, even though these prices indicate a 50% possibility of winning for both sides.
- When you do find odds set at exactly EVS (2.00), you might actually be betting on the slight underdog of the match, as the bookie may shorten the favorite’s price to around 1.80 to counterpoise the books.
Calculating Your Evens Bet Payout
Most bettors employ an evens betting strategy that focuses on singles, which are the most straightforward wagers and offer the highest winning chances.
For a single evens bet, the calculation is simple:
- If you bet €20 on Manchester United to win against Chelsea at 2.00 odds, the expected payout is €20 x 2.00 = €40.
- This translates to a €20 pure profit plus the return of the initial €20 stake.
While prioritizing singles is recommended, you can include multiple EVS selections in an accumulator. For example, three winners in a multiple bet would yield a potential payout of €20 x 2.00 x 2.00 x 2.00 = €160, resulting in €140 net profit on a €20 starting stake. However, it is necessary to avoid accumulators when choosing middle odds like evens, as every selection added decreases the winning chances.
Ideal Markets and Sports for EVS Betting
Evens odds are extensively applicable in sports betting, particularly in markets with only two probable outcomes.
The most popular sports for this strategy include:
- Football
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Rugby
- All American sports (e.g., NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL).
Horse racing and greyhounds, conversely, are rarely utilized for this strategy.
Key markets to target for EVS betting include:
- Moneylines (1X2): This is the most popular market, involving predicting the straightforward winner without handicaps. American sports, especially, offer numerous daily games suitable for betting on evens.
- Totals (Over/Under): This broad market involves predicting the total points scored, total cards, or corners in a game. You can adjust your strategy to select odds around 2.00 by predicting the Over or Under outcome.
- Asian Handicaps & Spreads: These offer optimal conditions for finding EVS odds. In competitive matches, a small spread (from 2.5 to 6.5 points) can create an odds balance close to EVS. For instance, you might back a slight favorite to win by a certain number of points at odds of 1.90, 1.95, or 2.00.
Strategic Application of Evens Odds
The ultimate goal for any bettor is to increase winning chances. Placing wagers at EVS or higher odds requires a minimum 50% winning percentage to achieve profitability.
Here are the most convenient situations for employing even odds:
- Betting Systems: When applying a staking plan, the chosen prices must be considered. Popular systems like the Martingale and the Labouchere betting system require staking at 2.00 odds at least to ensure profitability. The evens betting strategy dictates that all bets below 2.00 odds should be excluded.
- Live Betting: Evens odds make it easier to cover your initial bets. If you placed an initial wager on a team to win at high odds (e.g., 3.00), you can use the cash-out feature when the price drops to 2.00 or 1.90 to subtract the 1.00 and secure a partial return.
- Arbing on 2-Way Markets: Arbitrage betting (Arbing) often involves backing your initial bet at evens odds or higher. For example, if you bet €95 on a tennis player at 2.20, finding the opponent at 2.00 odds allows you to stake €105 and achieve nearly 5% profit regardless of the match result.
Is Evens Betting a Valuable Strategy?
Evens odds at 2.00 (1/1) will always remain popular due to the attractive and simple process of doubling the stake. To be successful long-term, you must focus on having a high number of small winner bets and be content with that result. This strategy can be profitable if you remain patient and loyal to the system.
Before betting, you must always check the value and the winning probability of your selection. It is preferable to have more winners at slightly lower odds (like 1.60 or 1.80) than to have EVS losers that damage the bankroll. Therefore, profitability in 2-way markets hinges on thoroughly analyzing all critical parameters of a sports event, such as current form, injuries, suspensions, and advanced statistics.
For those seeking to maximize their bankroll and find reliable opportunities, Bookmakers.bet offers resources to find safe betting sites and avoid known scam bookmakers.
Evens Betting FAQ
Q: What does EVS mean in betting? A: EVS occurs when you place a wager where the potential winnings will exactly match the stake you used. The prices generally refer to odds around 2.00 (1/1), although they may be slightly lower or higher depending on whether the selection is odds-on (more likely) or odds-against (less likely).
Q: Is evens betting a valuable strategy? A: Yes, this betting system can be a profitable way to maximize your bankroll, provided you stay patient and loyal to the system. The critical point is focusing on a high number of small winner bets.
Q: Which sports are the best to use the strategy? A: You can place an evens bet on a broad range of sports, particularly those with numerous 2-way markets. This includes football, basketball, tennis, cricket, rugby, and all major American sports (such as MLB, NFL, and NHL).
Q: How can I find the best evens bet of the day? A: Predictions and tips are often released for odds of 2.00 or higher to secure the best value for your bets. Daily predictions are available for leagues across football, basketball, and American sports.