Swimming Betting Tips, Strategies & 2021 Olympics Odds

When you’re looking to bet on water sports, the most obvious place to start is swimming. The straightforward nature of the sport is much like horseracing with the number competing typically the same – pick your winner from a field of eight.

The distances range from a short-course 25m freestyle sprint up to an open water 25km marathon. In betting terms, it is a sport where research can give you that crucial edge.

Swimming betting strategy

The straight win and forecast are the most popular bets in swimming and in a big race final there is typically a firm favorite. The odds can be very short when an out-and-out star is competing so a forecast can provide you with far better odds.

Amongst the biggest names in the sport is USA star Katie Ledecky. The odds on the five-time Olympic champion are usually very short so a forecast bet with an upcoming star finishing second is advisable.

If you’re looking for ante-post bets in the big competitions then some betting sites offer head-to-head odds involving the big names of the sport.

Occasionally, along with the likes of a Ledecky or breaststroke king Adam Peaty, a new name bursts onto the scene in Olympics year. Alexander Popov did just this in Barcelona 1992. The 50m freestyle was seen as a straight fight between America pair Matt Biondi and Tom Jager. Russian Popov arrived to upset both and claim both the 50m and 100m golds.

Upcoming swimming events to bet on

For those who are already thinking about next year’s Tokyo Olympics bets, make sure you pay full attention to the world championships this July.

All the big names will be in the mix in South Korea with Ledecky hot favorite in all four distances from 200m up to 1500m freestyle.

The eight-day indoor swimming event starts on July 21 with competitors from 180 nations involved in the fight to claim medals in 42 events. Along with Ledecky and Great Britain’s Adam Peaty, Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom is also expected to star.

Despite the kudos of claiming gold at the world championships, the main focus for all swimmers will be next summer’s Olympics in Japan.

Tips on what to bear in mind before placing your bets on swimming?

So, while knowing who are the hot favorites to win a particular race, always keep an eye out for the up and coming stars. With that in mind, it is advisable to pay close attention to the sport in the build-up to the big events. Sites like swimswam offer the latest worldwide news of the stars you know and those on the cusp of making it big in the sport. Other sites worth checking for news include floswimming and www.fina.org/news.

Betting on swimming during the 2021 Olympics: odds and sportsbooks

Most American betting sites, such as PointsBet, Fanduel sportsbook or William Hill NJ will offer odds for the swimming world championships and 2021 Tokyo Olympics. If you can’t find the event or bet you want (artistic swimming, for example) then ask your betting operator – other odds can be made available on request.

Photo by Gentrit Sylejmani