What Does Fade Mean in Sports Betting?

If you like to let your instincts guide you when it comes to using online sports betting sites, then you need to know about fade betting.

Today, we’re going to look into this interesting and exciting tactic, including tips and tricks on how to bet against the public and the various pros and cons of fading in betting.

So without further ado, let’s get down to business. 

Fade Sports Betting Explained 

Fade betting is a strategy where you place wagers against public opinion or popular bets. The idea is to ‘fade’ or go against the majority, often capitalising on inflated lines and odds created by public betting trends.

This approach is based on the notion that the betting public, often influenced by media hype, team popularity, or recent performance, tends to make irrational or biased decisions.

Key points about fade betting include:

●    Contrarian approach: By betting against the public, fade bettors aim to exploit the discrepancies between the actual probabilities of outcomes and the odds influenced by public perception

●    Market inefficiencies: When a large volume of money is placed on one side of a bet, sportsbooks may adjust the lines to balance their risk. This can create value opportunities on the opposite side

●    Sharp money: Fading the public often aligns with following sharp money, which refers to bets made by professional bettors who are believed to have better insights or information. When sharp money moves lines, it's often wise to follow that movement

●    Discipline and research: Successful fade gambling requires thorough research, discipline, and an understanding of market dynamics. You need to identify when and why public opinion is skewed and make informed decisions accordingly.

Examples of Fading Bets 

To illustrate how fading the public strategies can be applied across different sports, here are two examples.

1.    NFL Underdog with Sharp Money Backing

Scenario: The New England Patriots are heavily favoured to win against the Miami Dolphins. The public overwhelmingly bets on the Patriots due to their strong reputation and recent performances.

Sharp money: Sharp bettors, however, notice that despite the public backing the Patriots, the point spread is moving in favour of the Dolphins. This indicates that professional bettors are placing significant wagers on the Dolphins.

Fade strategy: You decide to fade the public and bet on the Dolphins. The inflated line due to the heavy public betting on the Patriots provides added value to your bet on the Dolphins.

2.    Fading a Heavily Favoured Team in Basketball

Scenario: The Golden State Warriors are playing against the Sacramento Kings, and the Warriors are heavy favourites. The public is betting heavily on the Warriors to cover the spread due to their star players and strong performance history.

Market analysis: Despite the public support, the spread starts to widen even further, suggesting that the sportsbook is trying to attract more money on the Kings.

Fade strategy: By betting on the Kings, you capitalise on the inflated spread. The public’s bias towards the Warriors has created a line that offers more value on the Kings.