How to Gamble on Biathlon

Biathlon betting is the ideal gambling haven for lovers of rifle shooting and skiing. This less than popular winter sport made its Olympic debut at the 1960 Olympic Games, and its following increases yearly. There’s a randomness to biathlon—a luck factor—that draws in bookmakers and betting enthusiasts.

Gambling on Biathlon requires a careful study of the sport’s unique features, rapt attention to detail, and a mind open to having fun. Although biathlon competitions are seasonal (November to March), these betting sites in 2022 have the best biathlon markets for you. Before you get into the intriguing sphere of biathlon betting, read on to learn how to gamble on biathlon.

I’ll cover the game’s major categories, types of bets, and pre-game analysis.

The Biathlon Events

Individual

Biathletes complete five laps on the course with two firing lines lying down (1st and 3rd) and two standing (2nd and 4th). The men’s race happens on a 12.5-mile (20-km) course, while the women’s race happens on a nine-mile (15-km) course. Every miss adds a penalty minute to the biathlete’s distance time.

Sprint

This event comprises three laps and two firing lines, varied like the classic race. The men’s course is six miles, and the women have a 4.5-mile course. A penalty circle follows every miss, and the athletes have about 22-25 seconds to complete 492 feet.

Pursuit

Biathletes in this race start from where they finished the sprint, and it’s an opportunity to win back and lead the race. While the women do six miles, the men race for about eight miles to complete four firing lines—two standing and two lying down.

Mass Start

This race is for the best 30 biathletes, chosen according to their overall World Cup Standing. The distance to overcome is nine miles for men and six miles for women.

Relay

It’s an event of four biathletes per team, with each team passing two firing lines. The men’s race covers a 4.5-mile distance, and the women cover a four-mile distance.

Mixed Relay

In this race, men and women participate in alternating stages: the men run first, then the women, and so it goes. There are two firing lines in each race, and the participant skis an extra 150 meters if all targets are gone.

The Types of Bets

Race Winner

Bettors have to guess which biathlete will take first place, even though there are often no clear favorites in this sport. The main favorite in the race has odds that are rarely below 2.5, and the many possible victors provide a substantial margin.

Who Will Make More Mistakes?

There’s a significant demand for this position because it’s rarely in bookmakers’ lines. With extremely small upper limits for the bets here, players looking to spice up their view of the race mostly enjoy it.

Who Is Higher?

In this betting position, you can guess the pair of riders that will be higher at the end of the race. This applies to world championship races with up to 30 comparisons—a wide margin. It’s not a position you’ll find in many sportsbooks, except for those that offer high-quality bets on winter sports.

Who Will Get to the Top-3?

Like the race winner, you get to guess which biathletes climb the podium after the events. However, odds usually fall below 1.4 for the favorites.

Other biathlon bets available include individual total misses, the number of misses with a handicap, six places, etc.

How to Gamble on Biathlon

Biathlon is that pure winter sport that keeps you going when popular markets like soccer are on a break. The betting process here isn’t different from other sports, and you’ll be fine if you follow these steps:

Choose a Bookmaker

Since biathlon competitions are seasonal and the game isn’t exactly popular, a handful of bookmakers often carry bets. You need a bookmaker that provides a narrow or wide line to place your bets.

Pre-game Analysis

Biathlon is a very unpredictable sport, and it’s probably the most “lottery” Winter Olympics sport. As a result, you need to visit a live race or pre-match to collect statistics (particularly shooting) and draw conclusions about the outcome. You should look out for the following:

The Athletes’ Current Form

Their riding and shooting statistics in the last five to seven starts will give you the most accurate information for analysis. The net run-rate also affects the bottom line significantly, so monitor it. It’s also important to read up on the athletes’ physical condition from the news and information from team doctors or coaches.

The Weather

This uncontrollable feature plays a major role in biathlon gambling, especially in the shooting segment. For example, veteran bettors bet on riders in the first half of the start protocol whenever the snow picks up. Bad weather also equalizes the chances at the shooting range.

Motivation

It determines an athlete’s performance to a large extent. If they’re trying to win a gold medal at home, they will press for the finish line against all odds. Changes in an athlete’s personal life also affect whether they’ll save every second or slack off. Don’t neglect the small scores for individual events and the overall biathlon offset.

Biathlon analysis takes time, and it’s better to follow the event in real-time than on the bookmaker’s site or office. After drawing your conclusions, select a rate and calculate your bet at the end of the competition.

Pros of Gambling on Biathlon

• Experienced players can use the ridiculously inflated odds to their advantage.
• Biathlon is an excellent ground to apply the sure bet strategy if you know how it works.

Cons of Gambling on Biathlon

• Low betting limits with an average maximum of 150 to 300 dollars.
• Bookmakers set high margins because of the sport’s low popularity.
• There’s a high shadow of luck in biathlon races, and a change in wind direction can take away your luck.
• It’s a seasonal sport, so you only make a profit for a short while.

Conclusion

The high odds available attract many bettors to gamble on biathlon, and the majority go for the “who’s higher” bet. You may follow the majority or chart your path, but don’t let the sport’s randomness or high margin detract you. So, place your bets, and grip the edge of your seat as you watch racers shoot with heart rates of over 180 bpm.