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Cards Betting Explained - Guide & Tips

In many sports, such as football and rugby, players get booked for infractions during the game with either yellow or red cards. The yellow card is a warning that will still let the players continue playing, while the red card means the player is sent off the field. Cards betting is about predicting which player or team will receive those cards. Let’s get into it.

How Does Cards Betting Work?

In cards betting, bookmakers often use booking points rather than the total number of cards. Booking points are often calculated as follows: 10 points for a yellow card, 25 points for a red card, and 35 points for a player who gets a yellow and red card.

To give yourself the best chances of winning at cards betting, it is worth noting what to look for and what to know before you go in. Cards can be easier to predict when you know the following:

Referee: Referees vary, and some may be stricter than others. Depending on which teams and players are on the field, the game could become heated and attract fouls and cards. The referee’s strictness directly impacts how the game plays out. Check the referee’s history and stats before placing a bet.
Teams: Some teams play more aggressively than others and tend to commit more fouls and receive more cards. As with anything else, check the team stats and style of play to make better predictions.
Players: Some players are more prone to getting booked than others, based on things like where they play on the pitch, their temperament, and their role.
Motivation: Some matches have more at stake for one of the teams involved. These include derby matches, knockout stage matches, and other very important matches which attract more cards than a group stage game or friendly match.

Now that you know some of the things to look for, let’s look at some of the types of card bets you can make.

Total Cards Betting

In the total cards betting market, you bet on the number of yellow or red cards shown in a match. You can bet on either over or under a specified number. This bet type has the following subcategories:

Asian Total Cards: A bet on the number of cards with different outcomes depending on your selected total. For instance, if you bet on over 2.25 cards and there are three or more cards, you win. If there are exactly 2 cards, you lose half your stake and get a refund for the rest. If there is only one card, you lose the whole stake.
Team Total Cards: A bet on the number of cards a specific team receives in the match.
Player Total Cards: A bet on the number of cards a specific player receives in the match.

Over Under Cards Betting

The over under cards betting market allows you to bet on whether the total number of cards shown in a match will be over or under a specific value. There are subcategories under this type of betting, including:

Booking Odds: A bet on the total number of booking points in a match.
Booking Match Bet: A bet on which team will receive more booking points in a match. You can bet on a tie if you think the teams will have the same points total.
Team Bookings: A bet on the number of booking points a specific team receives in a match. You can bet on over or under a certain value.
Over under cards betting requires some research and analysis to make better predictions.

Player to be Booked

As the name implies, this is a bet on whether a specific player will receive a card in the game. The bet is hard to predict and may depend on the game's stakes, the temperament of the player you pick, and how likely they are to attract a foul.

Player to be Sent Off

With this bet, you predict whether a player will receive a straight red card or a second yellow card, which translates to a red card. Red cards mean the player is sent off the field.

How to Place a Cards Bet on LeoVegas

To place a cards bet on LeoVegas, you first have to open an account and have it verified and ready to use. You can login via the website using a browser or the mobile app, and follow these steps to complete the bet:

Click on the ‘Sports’ tab and select the game you want to bet on. You can make use of the search bar function to quickly find your desired matches or leagues.
Browse the matches and click on the one you want to bet on. It will show the main markets.
To find the cards bets markets, click ‘More Bets’ at the bottom of the page.
A list of categories will show up including corners, handicaps, and goal scorers, among others.
Choose the cards market, check the odds, and add the bet to your slip. Then, enter your stake amount and click 'Place Bet' to confirm.You can track your bets by clicking on ‘My Bets’. You can cash out before the match ends to secure a win or minimise losses.

Good to Know

Here are some pros and cons you should know before making cards bets:

Pros:

Cards bets offer great value and high odds, especially with proper research and analysis of the factors involved.
Due to the unpredictability of cards being issued, card bets can be engaging given how much they can change the game.
Cards bets are independent of the match result, so you won’t have to worry about the overall result, not to mention the option for live betting.
Cards bets have various options you can bet on, offering many opportunities.

Cons:

Card bets can be risky and volatile as they are subject to referee decisions and interpretation. Controversial decisions may mean a loss.
The weather, crowd atmosphere, and game situation can influence your bets.
The bets are generally harder to predict and analyse as they are not always consistent or logical.
Summary

Cards bets offer an opportunity to further engage with games in which cards can significantly impact the outcome or are more likely to be shown. Always start with doing your research and keep yourself updated with the stats of each team, player, referee, and even weather conditions.

We hope this brief look at the options gives you enough to go on. Good luck!