So what does the term “bad beat” mean in sports betting? In this article – we’ll tell you!

Fortunately, ZenSports offers the most user-friendly sports betting application in Tennessee, making it an ideal choice for newcomers eager to expand their knowledge. If you are new to ZenSports, embrace the Welcome Bonus and receive cash rewards upon downloading the app, along with continuous perks.

Be sure to leverage the Welcome Bonus to enjoy 5% cash back on all wagers during the 15-day period following your registration. In addition, check out how a bad beat works and what you can do about it.

What is a Bad Beat?

We have all encountered this situation countless times in sports betting. Your beloved team holds a substantial lead at halftime, appearing nearly unbeatable. However, things take a turn when your team experiences a sudden collapse, or the opposing team stages a remarkable comeback, completely altering the outcome of your bet.

A bad beat epitomizes the unexpected or sheer misfortune of a bet not materializing—a situation that can transpire in an instant or unfurl over the course of an entire game. Not every loss that occurs is considered a bad beat, but rather the ones that everyone will remember for a long time.

It is also a reference to a bad loss in poker, as the hand that was dealt to you is statistically the best but it somehow loses. Below are a few examples of the most famous bad beats in sports betting history.

2016 NBA Finals

The Golden State Warriors had the best season in NBA history, putting up a 73-9 record and passing the 1995-96 Michael Jordan era Chicago Bulls. They made it to the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers and went up 3-1 with an opportunity to win a championship.

However, they proceeded to suffer defeats in the subsequent three games, creating a remarkable example of one of the most unfortunate turnarounds in NBA history. The prevailing belief in the Warriors’ potential success added to the disappointment, exacerbating the frustration for those who had placed future or moneyline bets on each game.

Super Bowl XLII

The 2007 New England Patriots had just recorded a historic season, going 16-0 in the regular season and making their way to the Super Bowl against the New York Giants. They were favored to win by 12 and were expected to go down as the greatest team in NFL history, but needed the ring to complete it.

But, they came up short with a 17-14 defeat and is arguably one of the worst upsets in NFL history. This game is also referred to as the “helmet catch”, as David Tyree caught a pass from Eli Manning in the final two minutes of the game that would later lead to a winning touchdown drive.

How to Minimize Bad Beats in Sports

While bad beats are unavoidable, since they are usually shocking moments in sports losses, there are ways to slightly overcome the sting when your bet goes south. This means hedging your bets and yes it is legal to do so. Arbitrage betting on the other hand is not legal, so make sure you know the difference.

Hedging Straight-Up

Using the 2016 NBA Finals as an example, bettors that wagered on the Warriors to win the championship under a futures bet obviously did not get paid. But, you could have also wagered on the individual games as they played out, especially game seven in favor of the Cavs. While it might not have been a huge payout as the time is winding down, you could have still earned something.

Hedging the Spread

Looking at Super Bowl XLII, the Patriots were favored to win by at least 12 points. However, the game was so close all the way to the end. Bettors that wagered on the Patriots to win could have hedged and bet on the Giants spread instead as the game was entering the final quarter.

Final Thoughts

ZenSports offers a gateway for the best odds in Tennessee. While bad beats are a tough pill to swallow, you could consider hedging your bets in real-time to make the loss not as bad as it could be.

It is advisable to carefully look over the terms and conditions to avoid violating any regulations, since these may undergo changes unpredictably. Utilizing hedging properly and fittingly can prove to be a valuable approach when your bad beats are happening.

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