The Art Of Outright Tennis Betting: Lesson 1 - The Draw

There are numerous factors which require consideration before a bet is placed on the outright market of a tennis tournament. And, in future articles, we will cover many of them - such as a player's nationality, age, past form, price, seeding and the scheduling of the event itself.

However, we start with the most fundamental consideration, the draw. This is where the outright bet selection has to begin.

The draw is the blueprint upon which your betting strategy for every event should be based and a bet should never be struck on a tournament before the draw has been made.

And whether a field of 28, 32, 48, 56, 64 or 128 lines up for a tournament the same logic applies once the names have been drawn.

• print off the drawsheet and study the field as whole
• split the field into top half and bottom half, then into the four quarters
• work through the field to determine a player's best/worst route to the final
• study the head-to-head records of these potential matches
• rate those players most likely to win each half and make the final  

This process will give you a full appreciation of the overall strength of the field, not only as a whole but with respect to the two halves as well as each individual quarter. It will immediately flag up players to avoid, or sections of the draw to focus upon, as no tournament will be made up of four quarters of identical strength and depth.

Clearly you can then apply further filters - and we suggest you do - which we will cover in subsequent articles but this analysis of the draw will give you a solid foundation upon which to begin to select your outright bet.

What it will also do is make you look beyond the obvious market leaders, in-form or seeded players who you are familiar with or would consider to be your 'favourites'. By approaching the draw in a dispassionate and studious manner you will create a more consistent betting style and one which will produce a uniform level of return.

Example: Elena Dementieva (Sydney 2010) WON 7/1

The Russian's head-to-head record against her potential opponents was Schiavone R1 (5:4 but won last 2), Hantuchova R2 (10:3), Safina QF (5:5 but won last 3) and Azarenka SF (2:1). This made her a solid each-way bet to make the final... when a profit would be guaranteed. And, as it happened, she also beat Serena Williams in the final to land the title!

So with regards to Outright Tennis Betting: Lesson 1 never bet before the draw is made and, even then, take your time to study the field individually and as a whole.

Coming Soon: Lesson 2 - The Odds

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