Yes, You Can Bet on Arm Wrestling Matches

We should start by saying that while it is possible to wager on arm wrestling, most of the crypto gambling sites we have reviewed do not offer this option, as few sportsbook solution suppliers and data feed companies have expressed an interest in featuring this sport. However, we do know that 1xBet, which we have blacklisted for various unresolved scam allegations, did accept bets on arm wrestling. The same goes for BetWinner and MelBet, which are sites that share similarities with 1xBet and may be interconnected through shared ownership or in some other way; we are not sure. Though, it should be said that all three sites only offered arm wrestling betting for distinct events, which is not a mainstay option on these hubs. This was not available when we wrote this article.

That out of the way. In 2020, a platform dedicated exclusively to arm wrestling gambling popped up on the Web called Armbet. This is a social network app for arm wrestling enthusiasts, where fans of the sport can select upcoming matches, pick an athlete, and financially back them. If that person wins said match, then those who laid stakes on him, his stakeholders, get a payout proportional to their contribution. Armbet was created by Devon Larratt, one of the sport’s most recognizable figures, famous for his mind games and charisma. Many have criticized Armbet for the margins featured, but that way the platform works, it ensures athletes get a cut of the action, and so does StakeKings, which facilitates the financial backing via its staking services. Hence, this is a different kind of gambling for an athletic competition than most of our readers have gotten used to seeing.

What is interesting to note is that the World Armwrestling League, based out of Chicago, the world’s most massive and fastest-growing league of its kind, has a strict anti-gambling policy. It includes placing, soliciting, or facilitating bets on WAL events. So, not counting outside issues, the sport itself has hurdles that stop its gambling expansion.

How Traditional Arm Wrestling Betting Works

Not counting the staking system described above, wagering on arm wrestling contests should follow the principles that most other competition types listed on online sportsbooks follow. Hence, common markets include the match winner, the simplest method of victory, meaning pin, slip, forfeit, injury, and betting on the total number of rounds or pulls in a match.

Since this is still a niche sport, we have not heard of traditional sportsbooks offering extensive prop wagers on its matches. Yet, we know that Armbet has introduced a few unique betting options. An example of one is the Shutout Stake feature, in which the underdog needs to win just one round before the favorite secures a victory for his backers to win their stake. Conversely, the favorite must win the first three rounds consecutively for his backers to succeed.

We assume that, in the future, as this sport gets a bigger footing globally, that bookies will add props like match duration, winning technique, and fouls committed. That seems likely as a way to boost gambling engagement.

Unique Factors to Consider Arm Wrestling Betting

Most of us became familiar with arm wrestling through Sylvester Stallone’s 1980s Cannon flim – Over the Top, which showed worldwide audiences that competitive organized arm wrestling matches do take place and that aside from physical toughness, these contests also require mental resilience. Naturally, all that gets exaggerated in Over the Top, but those who are knowledgeable about this sport know that mental toughness, handling intense pressure, of not just the crowd, the moment, but overcoming deficient in grueling matches is essential for victory. Thus, when betting on arm wrestling, gamblers should know the wrestler they are wagering on and his track record of success in high-profile events.

They should also be wise to injuries he is carrying, and ones that he has incurred before, which can significantly affect his performance. That is why pre-match analysis is super important, as even minor ones can hinder an arm wrestler greatly. So, looking for signs of discomfort or reduced mobility in previous matches, is pivotal.

External conditions to consider, like grip conditions, an understanding of grip-related challenges, and how wrestlers can and are able to adapt to these, can also inform bets on methods of victory or total rounds. Refs can also have a substantial impact on how a match may play out, as their calls are subjective, and their tolerance can vary greatly related to fouls, straps, or restarts. Of course, all of these go a long way in swaying momentum dramatically.

The Future of Arm Wrestling Betting & Challenges

It seems like arm wrestling should be more popular than it is, as it does not require anything other than a table and two people willing to grapple. There is not much in the way of equipment competitors must purchase, and this is a sport that individuals from around the globe have engaged in as a fun, competitive activity since ancient times. Now, due to social media, which has introduced the world to arm wrestling’s larger-than-life competitors, this sport is bigger than ever, and events like King of The Table have garnered impressive streaming traffic numbers. So, betting opportunities on arm wrestling will grow in the years to come; there is little doubt about that.

Yet, until that happens, this sport will struggle with many of the same challenges that most niche options face. That is limited data on upcoming matches, and historical info for proper odds setting. Due to its lower level of interest right now, the betting markets on arm wrestling are smaller and less liquid compared to major sports. That can result in odds shifting significantly based on limited betting activity, and bookies offering lower max bets.

Match-fixing is also a concern, as the prizes in not as publicized and anticipated events are not very sizeable, and competitors may be tempted to throw their contests for better pay outs then the ones they would receive for winning them. That is always a danger in sports where oversight and regulation is less stringent, and can get spotted by unusual betting patterns, which may indicate potential foul play.

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