Few companies capture the UK betting public like Betfred; they're a huge name, highly recognizable, with over 60 years of experience in providing football betting markets, along with exclusive betting offers accessible through the Betfred promo code. Our Betfred booking points guide will give you all the tools you need to navigate this market and the components to look out for.
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Betfred booking points explained
Given that there are 22 players out on the pitch, ranking individual cards can often pose more of a challenge for betting companies than using the points system. By dividing yellows and reds into two different point categories, offering over/under markets alongside the standard individual booking or sending-off markets is much easier.
Betfred booking points explained – what is each card worth?
The maths behind football booking points is easy enough to remember. If a player is sent off – this is 25 points. For a booking, it is 10. If a player is sent off for two bookable offences, then some bettors believe that this is incorrectly a total of 45 points (2 yellows worth 10 points and one red worth 25.)
However, it's counted as 35; the second caution is a red, so it doesn't count as a separate card. If you're going to take one thing away from the booking points guide we've compiled today – then remember this critical point. Often, those bettors who place a bet on booking points will not factor this in or not realise this is the case, which can leave a sour taste if the bet is unsuccessful.
Rules to remember
Other than the point calculation for the two yellow rule, which is undoubtedly the most crucial to remember – there are other factors to consider too. Any booking points guide you follow should direct you to the terms and conditions of any bet. Almost all Betfred booking points bets only refer to the first 90 minutes of the game.
Therefore, if you place the bet on a game that goes into extra time, it will only count the booking points collected during standard time. If you want to bet on booking points, including extra time, this will often be a separate specialised bet. Although Betfred booking points explained how
Key factors to consider when exploring Betfred booking points bets
It's not just specific stipulations in terms and conditions to weigh up – perceived biases and tendencies can also turn the tide. Almost every football fan will say a referee is biased towards the other team, especially now that VAR is causing greater controversies. There's also a broader context of how important the match is, whether there's a needle between the teams or whether teams have certain players more prone to fouls and getting booked.
Referees
Some referees tend to allow players to get away with more fouls. Some will like to stamp their authority on the game right out of the traps and hand out yellows or reds early on, depending on the severity of the foul. It's a vital context you must consider before placing a wager on booking points.
Premier League referees analyzed: Booking habits, temperament, and other stats
Anthony Taylor, Michael Oliver, and Paul Tierney all refereed the same number of games last season. Figures show that although they all refereed 30 games, Michael Oliver dished out 27 fewer yellow cards than the other two. Minor discrepancies are to be expected, and although specific matches carry a higher risk of ferocity and yellow card potential, this is a significant disparity. That said, Anthony Taylor handed out four times as many red cards as Michael Oliver, so in the context of the games, fouls are also a crucial component.
When discussing the top referees in the league, you can unearth a can of worms. Some fans will hold grudges for years, and some will even believe referees hold a bias against their team. Although the refereeing style can play a small role, it's usually high-stakes games and foul-prone players who dictate the pace of this market.
Know your game – avoid ‘dead rubber' matches
Betting on two sendings off and seven yellow cards in a game with no significance isn't a good idea. For instance, say Man City have wrapped the league up, then their final league game is inconsequential. Let's throw in the fact they're playing West Ham in the final fixture of this season. For argument's sake, let's say West Ham has mathematically finished 9th with nothing to play for. This game isn't going to see dangerous tackles and players squaring up to each other.
Likewise, another argument would be a team with a big cup or league game coming up. Given that yellows and reds carry multi-game suspensions, it's unlikely that Man City players would be flying into full-blooded tackles at home to Sheffield United if they had Liverpool or Arsenal the following weekend. While this isn't a dead rubber match per se, it is likely to see fewer cautions or red cards.
Best games to bet on Booking Points
Matches that decide the league often carry a lot of weight. Given that passions and energies run high, there can be potential for more cards and clattering challenges. Liverpool vs Man City has proven to be the case over the last five years, and more recently, with Arsenal gatecrashing the party, these are other games to consider, too. Liverpool vs Manchester United or their Merseyside rivals Everton are both games that see more reds and yellows than average fixtures.
Derby games are often the key to looking for if you're exploring the range of Betfred booking points markets. Due to the scope of the markets on offer, you can bet on Real Madrid vs Barcelona, the Milan derby, or the Old Firm – all of which are hugely passionate rivalries that often bring the most aggression out of players and fans alike.
Betfred football markets
Betfred has an extensive selection of markets; all essential derbies in Europe and international football are covered. You can also combine betting points bets across a range of games. While it might not see the same sort of activity as other prominent football betting markets, there's an increasing number of avenues opening for bettors who want to place bets on booking points. Make the most of Betfred's football betting markets by learning about their odds & tips here.
The impact of VAR on booking points
It'd be challenging to find anyone who believes VAR hasn't impacted modern football. The Premier League has witnessed some colossal changes, and it appears the pendulum is now swinging towards more people being against the technology than for it.
Referees cannot rescind a yellow card, but they can review tackles or fouls on VAR and choose to book or send a player off. In theory, this means there's a heightened chance of betting points. Still, due to the ambiguous nature of VAR and the controversy that has shrouded many decisions, it has yet to result in more reds or yellows definitively.
However, look at Mason Holgate's horror challenge against Brighton earlier this year. Initially given as a yellow and then rightly overturned as a red. Without VAR, Brighton fans and those who'd bet on the points would feel hard done by, which certainly helps in specific aspects such as this challenge.
Booking points betting drawbacks
As with any football betting market, booking points rely on so many extenuating factors. While derbies and needle matches might have an increased possibility of creating more fouls and tension, it isn't always the case. Refereeing decisions, the flow of the game, and the temperament of the players on the pitch all play an enormous role. Given that there are so many variables, betting points can fluctuate wildly. So long as you understand there are risks and no set way of winning money, then you can explore these markets in the right spirit.
Do all bookmakers use this method?
Yes, it is one of the most universal terms used in the industry. Although some notable bookmakers use their own points system, such as Bet365, the provider will give you a breakdown of their system and a general booking points guide before placing this type of bet. If you are ever unsure, we would recommend reaching out to customer services to clarify. However, the one Betfred uses is the most widely used throughout the sector.
