While prestigious majors like The Masters and the U.S. Open get most of the publicity, don’t forget about fun and unique competitions like The Match.
The Wynn Golf Club hosts the Match at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2023 event will take place on Thursday, June 29, with televised coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Betting on The Match is a little bit different compared to your regular tournaments, but we’re here to help you navigate this competition.
What is The Match?
This is the eighth edition of The Match, a competition that has raised money for charity each year, making it a fun event for a good cause.
The Match is a 12-hole best-ball format, where the four competing players are grouped into two teams. Each player on the team will compete on every hole, with the lowest score making up the team’s score.
This year’s iteration features a clash of two star teammates from recent champions in the NFL and NBA, with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs taking on Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors.
This will be the second time that Mahomes and Curry have competed in the tournament, while Thompson and Kelce make their debuts.
Here’s a brief history of The Match:
- Tiger vs. Phil: Phil Mickelson defeated Tiger Woods (November 2018).
- Champions for Charity: Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning defeated Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady (May 2020).
- Champions for Change: Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley knocked off Stephen Curry and Peyton Manning (November 2020).
- The Match IV: Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers beat Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady (July 2020).
- Bryson vs. Brooks: Brooks Koepka defeated Bryson DeChambeau (November 2021).
- Brady/Rodgers vs. Allen/Mahomes: Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers defeated Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen (June 2022).
- Woods/McIlroy vs. Thomas/Spieth: Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas defeated Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy (December 2022).
Benefits of Betting on The Match Online
There are numerous benefits involved with betting on The Match online, such as the following:
- Take advantage of generous welcome bonuses and valuable promotions at legal betting sites.
- Place your wager from your desktop, laptop, or cell phone.
- Monitor the betting markets to shop for the best odds efficiently.
- Enjoy a robust selection of props and other bet types.
- Participate in the live betting market to find an edge on an in-game wager.
Best The Match Betting Sites
There are multiple betting sites to enjoy, but these are our favorites:
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook provides a user-friendly interface with a robust selection of golf markets, including player props like outright winners and much more.
There are cool promotions like profit boosts, which enhance the odds of selected wagers, providing a higher payout if you win. DraftKings is one of the few operators to post early lines on The Match.
This is one of the most popular sportsbooks for a good reason, as it has everything that you want in an online sportsbook.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook evolved from a daily fantasy sports provider to one of the leading operators in the sports betting space.
Users will enjoy navigating an accessible platform that features fair odds, numerous bet types, and several valuable promotions.
FanDuel is one of the top choices for golf wagering, making it worth a look for The Match.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars has become one of the top sportsbooks in North America, boasting fair pricing, cool promotions, and much more.
What helps distinguish Caesars from its competitors is its robust rewards system, where players can earn points that can be redeemed for cool perks like hotel stays at Caesars properties.
Join Caesars for a chance to take advantage of such a rewarding VIP experience.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is a renowned sportsbook that carries the prestigious MGM brand. Users can feel safe and secure depositing their funds in such a reputable and experienced operator.
The site is easy to navigate, featuring an expansive live betting platform along with numerous golf bet types.
Be sure to join BetMGM to optimize your online sports wagering experience, especially since their app is one of the best in the industry.
How To Pick the Best The Match Betting Sites
Below you’ll find a list of factors to consider to help you choose the best betting sites for The Match.
- Timing: You want your sportsbook to release odds for The Match as early as possible. This allows you to take advantage of early lines before the market adjusts.
- Odds: Ideally, you would find competitive pricing (good value on odds) compared to the rest of the market.
- Promotions: Offers such as profit boosts can enhance the value of your wagers.
- Bonus: Welcome bonuses can help build your bankroll, so it’s beneficial if your sportsbook has a good one.
- Bet Types: The more bet types, the better the platform because this gives you more options at your disposal.
Best The Match Bets You Can Make
The Match is different than other tournaments because it’s only 12 holes of best ball between two duos, but there are still interesting wagers to target.
- Matchups: This is the most common wager that will be available for The Match. Simply choose who you think will win between Curry/Thompson and Mahomes/Kelce.
- Hole Props: You may be able to wager on each hole of the tournament, betting on whether a player will get a par, bogey, birdie, or eagle. This could be a potential target, since you’ll get better odds here.
As of June 22 at 3 p.m. ET, Curry and Thompson (-250) were favored over Mahomes and Kelce (+210), according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Reports indicate that Curry is clearly the best golfer of the group, so laying the juice may be the prudent play here.
Live Betting on The Match
Live betting gives you an opportunity to find value, since you’re able to place an in-game wager on a golfer after getting more of a sense on how they look on the specific course.
Odds will update in real time, so if your preferred golfer gets off to a slow start, you can get them at better odds.
You may find that you can place a live bet on certain holes within The Match, but there will be fewer options since it’s only 12 holes.
Betting Site Offers to Keep in Mind
The Match is a fun event for golf fans, so be sure to take advantage of some of these betting site offers to help build your bankroll.
No Deposit Bonus/Free Bet
No Deposit Bonuses are provided to new users upon registration. There is no requirement of a deposit to receive this bonus, which is in smaller amounts ranging from $5 to $10.
Free Bets are given as loyalty rewards to active users. They may also be provided during a marquee event as a way to drive interest and action. Free Bets depend on your average wager size. For example, if you’re usually betting $20 to $100, you’ll get $10-$20 in free bets.
First-Deposit Bonus
First-Deposit Bonuses are when new users have their initial deposit matched up to a certain number, varying from $100 to $500.
For example, if I deposited $100 on a 100% deposit match up to $100, I will receive an additional $100 in bet credits, putting my balance at $200.
Second-Chance Bet
Second-Chance Bets, also known as No Sweat First Bet or First Bet Insurance, are when your initial bet is matched if it loses. Your potential refund is capped at $100 to $1,000.
For example, if I wager $1,000 on a bet and it loses, I’ll get back $1,000 in bet credits. Keep in mind that the dispersal of these credits can vary from one single bet token to smaller increments — the latter is preferred.
Bet & Get
Bet & Get is a type of offer where new users receive bonus credits just for placing a wager. This may be on any market or in specific promos can be focused on a certain event, like The Match.
There is no need to win your wager to receive these credits, you just need to place the bet.
Where Can I Legally Bet on The Match Online?
You’re able to place a bet on The Match in the following states:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Why You Should Avoid Illegal Betting Sites
You should avoid illegal betting sites for several reasons, such as:
- They have fewer banking methods with longer processing times.
- Customer support is hard to contact, as it’s available on fewer platforms.
- You may find inflated odds that don’t align with the rest of the market.
- There isn’t a mobile app available for you.
- You won’t enjoy any promotions, bonuses, or VIP rewards systems.
- They are illegal and hard to trust.
Choose More Than One The Match Betting Site
Be sure to choose more than one The Match Betting site. This allows you to shop around for the best odds and secure multiple welcome bonuses.
It’s also important to note that each site has an area of specialization. Some operators have robust props markets while others have a more user-friendly platform with better promotions. Joining more than one site allows you to optimize your experience by taking advantage of the best that each site has to offer.
