Sports betting isn’t as straightforward as you might suppose, and beginners often come across a few mystifying terms. So if you’ve ever wondered, “What does fade mean in betting?”, Gambling Guy is on hand with the answer.
Using fade as a way of enhancing your betting experience means tuning out the popular bet and backing the underdog. It can mean going against your instincts, but it’s an invaluable resource for any sports bettor which could add extra value to wins – and we’ve even got top suggestions for where to try it out.
What does fade mean in sports betting?
Nobody has ever accused sports betting of being easy, with a seemingly endless series of bet types to get to grips with, as well as a host of unusual terms, leading to questions such as, “What is a 3 way moneyline?” Here at Gambling Guy we’re often asked what does fade mean in betting, so we decided to create a guide to help explain what it is and what’s involved.
Fade – what it is and how it works
A fade in sports betting is when you go against something, so you’d effectively be backing the underdog, in the hope of a more favourable overall outcome. There are two main options to consider, both of which could prove to be useful during the course of your sports betting:
- Fade the team that consistently loses:
Backing an opposing team that’s expected to lose could prove to be effective.
- Fade the team that consistently wins:
Even the best team has to lose a match at some point, and that could generate an impressive payout for a fade bet.
It’s a risky strategy, as betting on a losing team raises the likely possibility of yet another loss, but it’s one that can pay off over the long term, which is why it’s used by many professional bettors.
Fade is also one of strategies used by sportsbooks to ensure they come out on top overall – and everyone knows the house always wins in the end. This really comes to the fore for popular events, when the general public comes to a consensus opinion that’s not rooted in anything other than preference, which is the ideal scenario for a fade bet.
It all comes down to personal taste when choosing an online sportsbook, but fade betting is pretty risky in itself, so you’ll need to choose a safe and reliable platform.
So what you can do is to simply check out the sportsbooks featured in the banners of this page and each one of them will give you a great place to try some fade betting. After all, these betting sites have routinely come out on top when it comes to the sheer variety of betting lines as well as the actual odds. Plus they are all fully licensed and regulated so that you’ll get a legal and secure way to try some quality fade betting.
Our standout bookmakers
1.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
2.
Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Bet now
Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
3.
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days
Bet now
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
4.
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
Bet now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
5.
Best Alternative
Open BetMGM
Simple tips for fade betting
Fade betting might sound like a pretty simple concept. After all, you just have to go against the expectations of what’s most likely to happen. However, it’s a risky bet that can take some time to master. So here are some simple tips to help you out with your first fadebets:
Just because a massive team is playing a smaller team doesn’t mean that the big team is most likely to win. This is because recent form can play a huge part in a team’s morale. So be ready to do your research to know when to try a fade bet that could go against preconceived notions about how good a big team really are.
Many people like to follow the crowd when they bet on sports. However, you’ll have to be ready to be a little more critical when you try fade betting. This may mean betting on some of the more unglamorous teams but doing so could reap serious benefits with your fade bets.
Look for losing bet refund promos
Lots of sportsbooks will have losing bet refunds that offer you the perfect escape route should your fade betting go wrong. After all, these are special offers that will refund your stake either in promo credit or cash if your bet loses.
Most people will simply bet on the moneyline as its the easiest bet to understand. However, fade betting can work best when you try out some of the alternative betting lines. Here you could try betting on prop markets such as individual players which opens up a whole new way to think about your sports bets.
Live betting isn’t just great fun, but it frequently opens up much greater odds compared to if you had made your bet before the game began. This is especially the case if the favorite scores early but you have a sneaking feeling that the underdog could somehow steal the win later on in the game.
Are you ready to try a fade bet?
If you’d prefer to keep to straightforward 2 way moneyline bets based on your own team and player favourites, there’s absolutely no shame in that. But now that you have a basic understanding of what fade betting means, it would be a shame not to at least give it a try. Just remember to keep your bets low, and never wager more than you can comfortably afford to lose, as there’s always risk involved.
Whether you’re looking for a new type of bet to try, or a new sports betting platform, we’re always on the case here at Gambling Guy. From the top sportsbooks bonus offers to the
best online casino guides, we’re always on hand to make sure you’re equipped with useful knowledge – and some great welcome bonus offers to ensure you’ll hit the ground running.
Get off to a great start with these betting bonuses
1.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Min. Deposit: $5
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
2.
Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Min. Deposit: $10
Whatever the moment. It’s Never Ordinary at bet365. That’s why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
3.
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days
Min. Deposit: 5
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
4.
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
Wagering (WR): New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days. (Up to $1,000 Bet Reset Tokens)
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
5.
–
Wagering (WR): New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days. (Up to $1,000 Bet Reset Tokens)
Best Alternative
Open BetMGM
What does fade mean in betting FAQ
🔎 What does it mean to fade in betting?
A fade is when you go against the tide when making your bet, even if it means backing a team you don’t support. It’s just one of the tools available to sports betting enthusiasts, which can help to maximise wins – although it’s not without its risks, as our guide here at GamblingGuy.com explains.
❓ Is fade a worthwhile betting strategy?
Sports betting relies on so many variables, including the weather and the surface, so there are no guarantees, but a fade bet can help to make the most of current circumstances. Whether you want to know what fade means in betting, or how to use it to your best advantage, our guide here at GamblingGuy.com is packed with useful information.
👀 How does fade work in sports betting?
Fade is a way of going against advice or popular opinion when placing a sports bet. Here at GamblingGuy.com we’ve put together a guide addressing what fade means in betting terms, as well as how to make good use of it. We’ve got some top sportsbook recommendations too, so everything you need is right here!
