Long-term predictions provide some of the most enticing opportunities in the sports betting market. Many are not aware of what the concept of "ante-post" means, but this is precisely what is meant by predicting an event that is far beyond the horizon. With these bets the risk is higher, but the potential profit is also noticeably higher. A lot of bookmakers, such as Bet365 and 22Bet offers antepost betting.

The term is derived from horse racing

The beginning of betting on different types of competitions, to our knowledge, is in the UK. This concept as well comes from there. The first documented paid predictions that bring a profit when predicted successfully appear in horse racing. Usually the money was bet on the day of the race or even just before it. However, there was also the opportunity to bet in advance with the promise of higher returns. If the bettor sets apart a prediction amount on the day before the race, he risks more because he does not know in what condition his chosen horse will be and whether it will be able to compete at all.

This is the meaning of ante-post betting nowadays. It should be clarified that this term is not used for individual matches, but for what happens in the course of an entire competition, tournament, championship, ranking, etc. I.e. betting (1, X, 2) on the outcome of the first 1/8-final in the Champions League between Olympic Lyon and Juventus immediately after the draw is not exactly ante-post, although between the determining the rivals and the first referee signal there are a whole 2 months. However, deciding where Olympic Lyon or Juventus will reach in the Champions League before the tournament itself starts (or at least before the group phase is played, i.e. it is not clear if both teams will leave) is already considered an ante-post prediction.

The classical definition is set in this condition. Prediction must be made before the start of a tournament, championship or competition. Or if the race in question has already started, it should be of a serious duration (8-9 months, as is the case with most football leagues in Europe) and in the beginning phase. There are ante-post bets in the advanced phase of championships and tournaments, but then the chances of choice are less and the odds are lower.

Sports and categories for long-term predictions

Ante-post betting options can be found in almost every sport. Keep in mind that different bookmakers also provide different options for long-term predictions, although the main categories are available almost everywhere:

Football:

Championship or tournament champion
Ranking in the Top 4 of the Championships of England, Spain, Germany and Italy (i.e. winning a Champions League quota)
Drop –out teams from a given championship. Much less often is the opposite option - to predict which team will be able to save themselves from dropping out.
Prediction of overcoming a certain phase for teams participating in a club tournament (Champions League, Europa League) or national teams championship (European, World) - overcoming the group phase, reaching the quarterfinals, semifinals, finals.
Goalmaster in a tournament or championship.
Qualifying for a big national team championship - presentation in qualification groups.

Tennis:

Grand Slam Tournament Champion
Reaching a certain phase in a Grand Slam tournament
A spot in the world rankings - leader, Top 10, Top 20, Top 100

Basketball:

Champion in Club Championship (NBA, Spain, Italy), International Club Tournament (Euroleague, EuroCup) or forum at national level (World Championship, European Championship, Olympic Games)
Overcoming a certain stage or reaching a certain phase in a race (playoff after a regular season in a club championship, including the NBA, overcoming a group phase in a club tournament or national elimination cup)
Determining the best scorer or most useful player

Golf:

Winner of the race, Grand Prix (held within 3 or 4 days, bets can be placed even shortly before the start).
Champion in a leading chain of tournaments such as the PGA Tour, European Tour.
Overcoming a stage in a race (so-called par - markets are open mostly to lesser-known players)
Ranked in the world rankings

Horse racing:

Winner of a race
Qualifying for a race (up to second or third place)
Champion or qualifying in a racing circuit

Advantages and disadvantages

The main plus of ante-post bets is the possibility of higher profits. The odds before the start of a tournament, championship or competition are usually higher than when these events are already underway. To put it more clearly, if you want to bet that Inter will become the champion of Italy at Juventus' expense, then in the summer the stake for such a prediction will be more favorable than in September or December. Or, if you decide to choose your favorite for the Qatar World Cup winner in 2022 right now, the profits will be higher even if you settle for one of the most likely contenders such as Brazil, Germany or France.

The downside lies in the risk - before the start of a competition, tournament or championship, one can only guess in what condition or form a team or competitor will be. One who seems likely or probable winner may not live up to the expectations. After Atletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid 7-3 in a preseason game in the summer of 2019, many were inclined to bet on Atletico being the champion in La Liga. And those who did, half a year later, are aware that they have made a mistake. This is another drawback - with anti-post predictions there is either no Close Bet option or the cash out value drops very quickly if the predictions are likely to fail. Of course, live bets are excluded here - this simply contravenes the principle of an anti-post bet. And if you bet on a goal scorer in a championship or a competitor in an individual sport, there is no guarantee that whoever you pick will not get injured.

And obviously this type of game requires serious patience. In long-term betting, the result often becomes clear weeks or months after the money is placed on the relevant market. Ante-post bets may be suitable for players who have a long-term strategy and are able to properly handle the situation in advance. Players who prefer to learn the outcome of their predictions faster will probably not particularly enjoy this type of game. But even if you love daily predictions, it is still interesting to try one or two long-term predictions.