Explanation of the Meaning of Booking in Sportybet in 2024

Generally, a booking is when athletes receive a warning for rule violations. While players could get ejected or temporarily removed from the game in many sports, football is unique in terms of its booking system. You have surely seen how referees show cards during matches.

According to the rules, a yellow card stands as the first warning. If a footballer receives two yellows, it is automatically transformed to red, and they are sent off. A straight red is also possible for aggressive plays or physical interactions with referees.

So, how is this represented by bookmakers? How does a typical booking line look on the SportyBet site? Let’s take an example from the UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Brighton and check the available markets provided by SportyBet.

By simply browsing the markets, you can notice a whole section dedicated to booking points. You can stake your money in a team to finish the game with more cards, on a side that will receive the first booking, and Over/Under Booking markets during the first half and after the final whistle, etc. And there is also another set of special lines for booking points. Let’s give more focus on the latter and analyze the difference between them and other market types on the SportyBet website.

Introduction to Booking Points

A Booking point represents a numerical value for a single unit of a card in a match. Picture this as an alternative type of bet where yellows and reds have their unique measurements.

Essentially, bookmakers, including SportyBet, give bettors an option to predict if the match will be heavy on aggressive plays and cards.

Each time a player is booked, it is transformed into points. At the end of the game, your bet will win or lose based on the amount of points you predicted.

SportyBet calculates each booking during any match as follows: if a player is shown a yellow card, it is worth 10 booking points, while any red card is worth 25 points. However, there is an important rule you should know before making a bet. If a player (regardless of being on the pitch or bench) receives a yellow card twice and is sent off, the SportyBet and other bookmakers will count as 35 points, meaning the second yellow will not apply.

This adjustment adds more entertainment to the betting experience, making booking points an independent line. What is the reason this market is popular? Imagine 7 players receive yellow cards, and one of them is ejected after getting two bookings. If you wager on Over 7.5 cards, your bet will succeed. However, to bet and win on points, you should stake your money into Over 75.5 total booking points (6 * 10 + 1 * 25, and 1 yellow card is excluded as it was the second for the same player).

To understand the specific bet types for booking points, let’s take another look at the UEL match Ajax – Brighton. Below, you can see a list representing booking point lines for this particular matchup:

• Booking Points – Over/Under Market: You can choose a threshold of points and guess if there will be more or fewer points than that particular number.
• 1st half Total Booking Points Market: Works only if a card was shown within the first 45 minutes + added time of the match. It is worth mentioning that any booking during the break will count as a second-half booking.
• Points by Team Market: Here, you can guess the booking points for a specific team in a particular match.

Each market is offered at different point ranges and their respective odds. For instance, if you bet on 25-35 booking points, the odds will be different than for 35-45 booking points. It is worth noting that you can include booking points to singles, multiples, and bet builders.

Here’s another example from a recent Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea. At some point, the teams became more aggressive, which impacted the overall booking points. Let’s break down the timeline of the game and see the total amount of cards shown and points accumulated eventually:

A total of 3 yellow cards were given during the first half. Kieran Trippier, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Joelinton were the players to be shown a card. Those 3 warnings accumulated a total of 30 points, and the overall number got even higher after the break. 6 more participants got a yellow card, with Chelsea captain Reece James being sent off after receiving a red for committing two aggressive fouls. In total, 105 booking points were registered in the match, a solid number for punters to bet and win.

Typically, derbies are the best games to consider booking points markets. Rivalries like Barcelona – Real Madrid, Arsenal – Tottenham, PSG – Olympique Lyon would deliver the highest number of points (sometimes setting a record), as those clubs play more aggressively against each other.

Placing a bet on booking points can be an exciting way to engage with matches, but it requires a strategic approach. Here are some tips to consider:

• Understand Team Dynamics: Research the teams playing. Some are known for their aggressive style of play, resulting in more warnings and more booking points, respectively. Check past matches for a sense of their booking history and use statistics for the best selections to bet on markets with the highest probabilities.
• Consider the Referee: Referees have different thresholds for handing out cards. Look into the referee’s history to gauge how strict they might be in the upcoming match, hence, what markets would be offered and how many booking points could be collected.
• Analyze Player Tendencies: Some footballers are more prone to be shown a yellow or  red card due to their specific playing style. This is especially the case for holding midfielders, some of whom play in a risky manner and will most certainly get booked in a particular match. Again, you can use the data for a deeper understanding of markets.
• Weather and Pitch Conditions: Poor conditions can lead to more fouls and, consequently, more booking points. Check the weather and pitch reports before placing your bet.
• Live Betting Opportunities: Sometimes, it’s better to watch the game’s flow before making a bet on booking points. Aggressive starts or early warnings might indicate a high-booking game.
• Match Context: The importance of the match can also influence the dynamics. Derbies, knockout stages, or games crucial for league standings often have higher tensions, leading to more cards shown. For instance, a match between Barcelona and Real Madrid could deliver at least 10 yellow cards and a couple of red cards, meaning the total amount of booking points would exceed a higher-than-average number.

Benefits of the Booking Points

A key advantage is the statistical backing of the system. Booking points are usually more predictable based on team and player histories or referee tendencies, which allows for more data-driven betting decisions. This predictability contrasts with goal scoring, which can sometimes be random. This predictability contrasts with goal scoring, which can sometimes be random.

Bookings often follow more consistent patterns, reducing the element of luck. Moreover, this system encourages a strategic approach, where bettors can leverage their in-depth knowledge of the sport, including teams and players, to make more tactical wagering decisions.

The booking points system in SportyBet brings multiple benefits to bettors, enhancing their overall experience. This system adds an extra layer of excitement to football matches, allowing bettors to engage not just with the goals but with the disciplinary aspects, too. It opens up a wide array of betting options, presenting SportyBet punters with diverse scenarios and outcomes to consider, thus adding depth to their gambling strategies.

What does ‘booking’ mean in the context of sports betting on SportyBet?

Booking stands for a yellow or red card given to a player during a football match.

How are points assigned for different bookings like yellow and red cards in football?

Bookmakers count 10 points for a single yellow card, while a red card is worth 25 points. If the same player gets booked twice (2 yellows + 1 red), SportyBet will count 35 points instead of 45.

Can I place bets on bookings for all sports, or is it limited to specific ones on SportyBet?

Bookings are typical for soccer, and booking points bets are specific for this sport. At the SportyBet site, you can bet on this market from various tournaments.

What strategies can I employ to increase my chances of winning booking points bets?

Research teams, the referee, and participants. This is the primary information you need to know before betting on booking points.

Why might a bettor choose the booking points market over other betting options available on SportyBet?

Booking Points are more predictable than other markets at SportyBet. You can use some patterns from the past to guess the overall and exact outcome. The chances to succeed are higher due to this factor, and that’s the reason why punters like this market.