This brief guide basically is novelty and specials betting explained for the benefit of the punter, to allow them to gain a greater understanding of these types of bets. It's not only an intro to specials betting where we detail some of the finer points and discuss some of the more popular bets and brands to use, but also highlight that this approach should not be seen as novelty vs specials betting, but as great opportunities to explore alternative markets.
1. Guide to Novelty Betting and the Bookmakers Specials
Novelty bets are becoming more and more popular, but have actually been available at many leading bookmakers for some considerable time. As most online betting platforms tend to specialise in sports betting, anything else can essentially be considered a “novelty” or “specials” bet.
They will often be listed under an alternative name and could be either serious or just fun bets, but potentially lucrative nonetheless. They're sometimes found categorised as entertainment betting specials, or simply “specials” and give bettors the opportunity to speculate in the betting arena on every day current affairs, or specific forthcoming non-sporting events, making the markets vast in their diversity.
There are sports “specials” too within many of the individual sporting categories, with for example, football often offering an alternative line of betting in what might be considered a reactionary market, possibly looking at managerial changes or potential transfers, aside from the traditional markets.
There is nothing unfamiliar with regards to how specials betting works, and the bet placement is no different from when wagering on a particular sport. A bettor would sign up for an account with their chosen bookmaker, complete the registration formalities, fund their account and proceed to place their bet.
These bets are special and have a novelty value simply because of their uniqueness, and as such they can sometimes be time-sensitive. They're often placed on something topical or something that may have captured the public's imagination in the short-term. As a consequence, a punter can often find greater scope, or it could force a bookmaker to be a bit more generous with their odds. Certain events will enable you to place bets during the action, so be sure to read our live betting tips guide to understand in-play bets before placing a wager at our recommended bookmakers.
2. Popular Novelty and Specials Bets
Understanding specials betting from a punter's point of view means looking a little beyond the specific bet in mind and instead appreciating the fact that bookmakers calculate probabilities and determine the odds of outcomes in sports events using sophisticated methods to gain an edge. However, with the specials and novelty betting the probability factors that serve the bookies so well around sport, are very often much more difficult to measure.
They will have done their research in certain specials markets, such as the Ballon d’Or which usually becomes a two or three horse-race, or perhaps the winners of different categories at major awards ceremonies such as the Oscars or the Grammys, even offering markets on the colour of dress a celebrity may wear. Nevertheless, there will be others where it could be possible that an individual's line of expertise could see them actually have an advantage over a bookie and land themselves a true value wager.
There are particular novelty betting trends throughout the year which tend to focus on high-profile events with politics featuring heavily, usually centred around parliamentary or presidential election results. Some bookmakers have been known to offer odds on particular politicians being assassinated during their terms in office.
Reality TV shows are extremely popular, as are situations developing in TV Soaps. Other specials and novelty markets will include Eurovision betting, names of royal babies, weather extremes, and even who might be the next actor to play James Bond. Be sure to use our 1XBET bonus code before placing your special bets to get a VIP offer.
3. Bet Placement and Odds in Novelty Betting
Bettors speculating on how to bet on specials need not worry, the principles remain the same as any other bet placement. There will usually be a specials market either already available, or odds will be made available on request, in relation to almost anything.
That said, correctly assessing accurate odds in novelty categories can catch the bookmakers out and as such can make the market more of a level playing field. As explained above, a specials bet is a betting market that is not one of the recognised types of bet usually associated with gambling and therefore some of the best value can often be found in the odds in novelty betting.
4. Best Brands for Novelty and Specials Bets
As a bettor, there's a need for understanding novelty betting from the bookmakers viewpoint, to then select the right brand at which to place a bet. Some will offer numerous market opportunities, but with little value in their odds, and these should be avoided.
Where to Place Novelty/Specials Bets
bet365
Bonus Sports
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1XBET
Bonus Sports
Exclusive Bonus 130% up to $145/€130 (or currency equivalent)
BetWinner
Bonus Sports
100% First Deposit Bonus of up to $150/€130
T&Cs:
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.
T&Cs:
A customer is entitled to only one bonus. The min deposit is 1 EUR. Wagering requirement: x5 in accumulator bets. Each accumulator bet must include 3 or more events. At least 3 of events included in such bets must have odds of 1.40 or higher. T&C Apply
T&Cs:
Minimum deposit required. Bonus awarded on the first deposit after full account setup and opt-in. Wagering requirements, minimum odds, and time limits apply. Full terms and conditions apply.
Instead look towards the top novelty betting sites that not only provide an extensive, high volume selection of specials to choose from, but also offer up competitive odds. These include the likes of bet365, 1XBET and BetWinner, who have an excellent offering, coupled with reputations as trustworthy brands. You can learn more about our exclusive bonus available with the BetWinner promo code by reading our review.
5. Novelty and Specials Betting Explained - FAQs
5.1 ❓ What is Specials Betting?
Essentially, specials betting explained can perhaps be best summed up as betting on non-sporting events anywhere in the world and can pretty much be anything that a bookmaker can create a realistic market for bettors.
5.2 ❓ What are some Popular Novelty Bets?
Some good examples of novelty bets that have been provided recently by leading bookmakers include: winner of the Ballon d’Or, multiple categories at the Oscars, and various political outcomes around the world.
5.3 ❓ What are the best brands for Novelty and Specials Betting Markets?
Players looking for the best novelty betting sites should visit the likes of bet365, 1XBET and BetWinner where they'll find a great selection of specials markets with competitive odds on offer.
5.4 ❓ Are there any risks in Novelty and Specials Betting?
There's an element of risk involved with regards to novelty and specials betting explained in that unlike most sports, the outcome of these different types of event do not necessarily rely on skill or teamwork, but instead are often reliant on other outside factors, such as votes or opinions.
Novelty and Specials Betting Explained
This brief guide basically is novelty and specials betting explained for the benefit of the punter, to allow them to gain a greater understanding of these types of bets. It's not only an intro to specials betting where we detail some of the finer points and discuss some of the more popular bets and brands to use, but also highlight that this approach should not be seen as novelty vs specials betting, but as great opportunities to explore alternative markets.
Contents
1. Guide to Novelty Betting and the Bookmakers Specials
Novelty bets are becoming more and more popular, but have actually been available at many leading bookmakers for some considerable time. As most online betting platforms tend to specialise in sports betting, anything else can essentially be considered a “novelty” or “specials” bet.
They will often be listed under an alternative name and could be either serious or just fun bets, but potentially lucrative nonetheless. They're sometimes found categorised as entertainment betting specials, or simply “specials” and give bettors the opportunity to speculate in the betting arena on every day current affairs, or specific forthcoming non-sporting events, making the markets vast in their diversity.
There are sports “specials” too within many of the individual sporting categories, with for example, football often offering an alternative line of betting in what might be considered a reactionary market, possibly looking at managerial changes or potential transfers, aside from the traditional markets.
There is nothing unfamiliar with regards to how specials betting works, and the bet placement is no different from when wagering on a particular sport. A bettor would sign up for an account with their chosen bookmaker, complete the registration formalities, fund their account and proceed to place their bet.
These bets are special and have a novelty value simply because of their uniqueness, and as such they can sometimes be time-sensitive. They're often placed on something topical or something that may have captured the public's imagination in the short-term. As a consequence, a punter can often find greater scope, or it could force a bookmaker to be a bit more generous with their odds. Certain events will enable you to place bets during the action, so be sure to read our live betting tips guide to understand in-play bets before placing a wager at our recommended bookmakers.
2. Popular Novelty and Specials Bets
Understanding specials betting from a punter's point of view means looking a little beyond the specific bet in mind and instead appreciating the fact that bookmakers calculate probabilities and determine the odds of outcomes in sports events using sophisticated methods to gain an edge. However, with the specials and novelty betting the probability factors that serve the bookies so well around sport, are very often much more difficult to measure.
They will have done their research in certain specials markets, such as the Ballon d’Or which usually becomes a two or three horse-race, or perhaps the winners of different categories at major awards ceremonies such as the Oscars or the Grammys, even offering markets on the colour of dress a celebrity may wear. Nevertheless, there will be others where it could be possible that an individual's line of expertise could see them actually have an advantage over a bookie and land themselves a true value wager.
There are particular novelty betting trends throughout the year which tend to focus on high-profile events with politics featuring heavily, usually centred around parliamentary or presidential election results. Some bookmakers have been known to offer odds on particular politicians being assassinated during their terms in office.
Reality TV shows are extremely popular, as are situations developing in TV Soaps. Other specials and novelty markets will include Eurovision betting, names of royal babies, weather extremes, and even who might be the next actor to play James Bond. Be sure to use our 1XBET bonus code before placing your special bets to get a VIP offer.
3. Bet Placement and Odds in Novelty Betting
Bettors speculating on how to bet on specials need not worry, the principles remain the same as any other bet placement. There will usually be a specials market either already available, or odds will be made available on request, in relation to almost anything.
That said, correctly assessing accurate odds in novelty categories can catch the bookmakers out and as such can make the market more of a level playing field. As explained above, a specials bet is a betting market that is not one of the recognised types of bet usually associated with gambling and therefore some of the best value can often be found in the odds in novelty betting.
4. Best Brands for Novelty and Specials Bets
As a bettor, there's a need for understanding novelty betting from the bookmakers viewpoint, to then select the right brand at which to place a bet. Some will offer numerous market opportunities, but with little value in their odds, and these should be avoided.
Where to Place Novelty/Specials Bets
Instead look towards the top novelty betting sites that not only provide an extensive, high volume selection of specials to choose from, but also offer up competitive odds. These include the likes of bet365, 1XBET and BetWinner, who have an excellent offering, coupled with reputations as trustworthy brands. You can learn more about our exclusive bonus available with the BetWinner promo code by reading our review.
5. Novelty and Specials Betting Explained - FAQs
5.1 ❓ What is Specials Betting?
Essentially, specials betting explained can perhaps be best summed up as betting on non-sporting events anywhere in the world and can pretty much be anything that a bookmaker can create a realistic market for bettors.
5.2 ❓ What are some Popular Novelty Bets?
Some good examples of novelty bets that have been provided recently by leading bookmakers include: winner of the Ballon d’Or, multiple categories at the Oscars, and various political outcomes around the world.
5.3 ❓ What are the best brands for Novelty and Specials Betting Markets?
Players looking for the best novelty betting sites should visit the likes of bet365, 1XBET and BetWinner where they'll find a great selection of specials markets with competitive odds on offer.
5.4 ❓ Are there any risks in Novelty and Specials Betting?
There's an element of risk involved with regards to novelty and specials betting explained in that unlike most sports, the outcome of these different types of event do not necessarily rely on skill or teamwork, but instead are often reliant on other outside factors, such as votes or opinions.