Cards Betting Tips

• Why Bet On Football Cards?
• How To Bet On Cards During A Football Game
• Cards Betting Markets
• Cards Betting Summary

If you’re eager to learn more about cards betting in football, then we hope this guide teaches you all you need to know.

You’ll learn about how to bet on football cards, why the market is popular, as well as a few things to look for should you decide to do so.

Without further ado, let’s jump right into it by discussing why punters choose to bet on yellow or red cards being issued.

Why Bet On Football Cards?

It may sound strange to wager on a player picking up a booking or being sent-off, but the prospect can be very lucrative if it pays off.

Betting on cards is a type of ‘special bet’, meaning that it can win regardless of the match result. It’s also an area where punters can partake in live, in-play betting - something that’s becoming more and more popular with fans.

These bets can also be very handy if you know a lot about a particular team or player, and you have a strong hunch that yellow or red cards will be dished out during the game.

However, cards betting can be inherently risky, and who knows what could happen during a football match. Here are a few things you should consider before wagering on cards:

How To Bet On Cards During A Football Game

In order to accurately bet on football cards, you’ll need to do a fair bit of research before and know the personality of the teams and players.

You’ll also have to factor in things like the fixture and the time of season. If a team is chasing an important game late-on, then the possibility of a professional foul occurring is dramatically increased.

Consider The Players

It’s unrealistic to expect a modern football player to have an unblemished card record, but there are some players who tend to pick up more bookings and sendings-off than others.

It’d be foolish to bet on cards in a game where you’re not familiar with the players. Sergio Ramos, for example, developed a notorious reputation for his red-cards, as did his teammate, Pepe. If you were betting that one of these players would be at-least booked in a game, then you’d have had a good chance of the wager being a winning one.

Other players, such as Gary Lineker, went entire careers without picking up a booking. Before you bet on this phenomenon, make sure you’re aware of who’s playing and the type of environment they’re playing in.

Consider The Fixture

Not all football games are created equal, and there are some games with a lot more at stake than the others.

Derbies, in particular, can be a haven for red and yellow cards. The intense atmosphere and loud, passionate fans can spur some players into making poorly-timed challenges or malicious take-downs. England’s North London derby or France’s PSG vs Marseille rivalry are two famous examples of card-laden fixtures, and a bet here is very likely to pay off.

If you’re betting on international football, then we can’t ignore Argentina’s Boca Juniors and River Plate. These two teams have extremely passionate fans and games between the two have become notorious for their bad discipline.

Booking and sendings-off can happen in every game, of course. However, keep in mind that they may not be as common as they are in games between heated rivals.

Knockout games can also produce a lot of bookings and dismissals. If one team is desperately trying to maintain or chase a lead, then there is a much greater chance that they’ll foul, dive, or resort to time-wasting depending on their situation.

The referee can also be a factor. An infamous example of widely-criticised referring took place in the 2022 World Cup game between Argentina and the Netherlands - where 19 bookings were handed out, many of them considered unnecessary and controversial.

Cards Betting Markets

There are several ways to use cards betting in football. Let’s explore some of them below:

1. Number Of Bookings

A largely self-explanatory market, this involves the punter predicting how many total bookings will be issued out during a match. On average, each football game will see around 5 cards, and this is why you’ll often see bookies offering either under or over 5.5 cards in a game.

2. First/Next/Last Booking

This in-play football betting market involves the punter deciding on who’ll be the first, next, and last player to receive a booking over the course of a football match.

You’ll need to have Lady Luck on your side if you choose to wager on this market, as anything can happen in a game of football, and there’s no way to decide which player finds himself in the referee’s book.

3. Red Cards

Red cards are, by their nature, a lot rarer than bookings. If you have a strong hunch that a player will be sent for an early bath, then you can bet on this occurring.

You can also bet on no red card being shown, though keep in mind that odds in this market are low.

4. Minute Of First Booking

This market is usually available on major football games, and involves the punter guessing which minute will see the first booking. The 90-minute duration of a match is divided into nine 10-minute intervals, and odds on each one will differ. It’s up to the punter to decide which segment is the most likely to see the first yellow.

Cards Betting Summary

Betting on football cards can be tricky, and you’ll need a considerable amount of luck for them to pay off. You’ll also need to have a detailed knowledge on the teams, as well as taking the type of fixture they’re playing in into consideration. You’ll also need to decide which betting market best suits you and your skill level.

If your bets are successful, however, you can be on the receiving end of some generous odds. Hopefully, this guide has taught you more about card betting, and you’re now in a much better position to start making some bets.