Sure, it might not be up there in popularity alongside the NFL, NBA, or even the NHL for that matter, but there is a contingency of people for whom chess is their sport of choice. And for those fans, they’ll also be happy to find out that when the biggest chess events of the year are upcoming on the calendar, the leading US online sports betting sites will be issuing odds on those events.
You’ll find that much like many other sports, you can bet on moneylines, spreads and outrights when wagering on chess events.
States that have given the across the board seal of approval to allow online betting on chess include Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, West Virginia and Wyoming. However, other states such as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey and Tennessee, while offering legal sports betting, have yet to approve wagering on chess events and tournaments.
Is betting on chess legal in New Jersey?
Yes, betting on chess is legal in New Jersey, provided you use licenseBetting on chess is a growing niche in online sports betting, especially for major tournaments like the World Chess Championship or the Candidates Tournament. Here’s a quick guide to chess betting, common bet types, and strategies.
So, Where To Bet On Chess Online In New Jersey And Other US States
DraftKings is known for offering betting lines on major chess events such as the world championship. As well, Bet365 is another online sportsbook that will issue betting lines on chess tournaments.
BetMGM and FanDuel are other top online US sportsbooks that will be issuing odds on chess when the major events of the season are upcoming.
Best Online Chess Betting Sites
- DraftKings offers chess betting lines on major events like the World Chess Championship and the Candidates Tournament. It’s a trusted option for NJ players with an intuitive mobile app for in-play betting.
- BetMGM is another top sportsbook for New Jersey bettors. Known for competitive chess odds and regular promotions with the bonus code NJDOTBET.
- Borgata Sportsbook (NJ) offers betting options for chess tournaments like the Chess Olympiad and FIDE Grand Prix. The app also offers welcome bonuses like these and a user-friendly platform for NJ players.
- FanDuel is well-regarded for its coverage of niche sports, including chess. It frequently provides betting lines for major events such as the Tata Steel Chess Tournament.
- Bet365 (NJ) has a solid reputation for offering chess betting, including moneyline and prop bets. It’s popular in New Jersey for its easy-to-use interface and live betting options. To get your bonus bets, use bet365 sportsbook code USB365 when registering your account.
Top Chess Events To Bet
World Chess Championship. The top event in chess, drawing massive attention from bettors worldwide. Major NJ sportsbooks like DraftKings and BetMGM regularly offer odds for the outright winner and individual matches.
Candidates Tournament. A high-stakes competition that determines the next challenger for the World Chess Championship.
FIDE Grand Prix. A season-long series that showcases top players vying for ranking points and prestige. Available for betting on platforms like FanDuel sportsbook app and Caesars in New Jersey and other USA states with legal betting on chess games.
Tata Steel Chess Tournament. One of the most prestigious events on the chess calendar, with numerous betting possibilities available, including tournament winner odds and over/under bets on match length.
Chess Olympiad. A team-based competition that offers unique betting opportunities, such as team winners and individual performance props, available on online sportsbooks like Bet365.
In summary, The World Championship is the No. 1 regular event on the chess calendar. Current world champion Ding Lorin of China will be facing challenger Gukesh Dommaraju of India for the 2024 world title.
Gukesh won the second most important chess event, the Candidates Tournament. In this competition, the top chess masters in the world compete to earn the chance to challenge the reigning world champion for his title. The FIDE Grand Prix is a season-long competition among the world’s best players.
Held in The Netherlands, the The Tata Steel Chess Tournament is one of the most prestigious events on the international chess calendar. It will be contested for the 87th time in 2025.
The top team event is the Chess Olympiad. In this Olympic-style competition, players compete and earn points for their countries.
What Is Fantasy Chess And How To Play It
Fantasy chess is the brainchild of chess master and multiple world champion Magnus Carlsen. The Norwegian chess icon is also legendary for his fantasy sports expertise. In 2019 he won the English Premier League’s official fantasy soccer pool, finishing ahead of more than seven million players.
Now, through his creation Fantasy Chess, Carlsen is bringing fantasy sports to chess. You select your team prior to a tournament by choosing specific pieces on a player’s board. You score points when those pieces make positive moves during the match. You can even form leagues with friends and family, or by joining a web community.
His newest version Chess Prophet gives you the chance to predict the outcomes of the first nine boards of a chess tournament. Those displaying the most accuracy in their selections win prizes.
How to Bet on Chess: Bet Types and Strategies
To bet on chess, select an online sportsbook like DraftKings, BetMGM, or Caesars Sportsbook, which offer chess betting lines for major events. Chess betting options are available on match winners, number of moves, or tournament winners.
Types of Chess Bets:
- Match Winner – The simplest bet where you predict which player will win the match.
- Over/Under on Moves – Betting on the total number of moves in a match, such as whether it will exceed or fall short of a set number (e.g., 40 moves).
- Outright Winner – Predicting the overall winner of a tournament, such as the World Chess Championship.
- Prop Bets – Specific bets like whether a match will end in checkmate or how many games will end in a draw.
Chess Betting Strategies:
Value Betting – Rather than betting on the favorite, look for value in odds. For instance, if an underdog is in good form, betting on them could yield better returns.d sportsbooks like DraftKings, BetMGM, or Caesars. These platforms offer chess betting lines for major tournaments such as the World Chess Championship and the FIDE Grand Prix.
Analyze Player Form – Assess the current form of players, including their strengths, weaknesses, and head-to-head history. For example, look at Magnus Carlsen’s track record before betting on a match.
Understand Event Formats – Some players are more aggressive in tournaments with knockout stages, which might affect their approach and the total number of moves.
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Can I bet on chess live in New Jersey?
Yes, live betting on chess is available at NJ sportsbooks like FanDuel and Bet365. You can place bets during a match, making real-time predictions on moves or outcomes as the game progresses.
