An Introduction to the Zig-Zag Theory for Bettors

Betting enthusiasts may have heard of the Zig-Zag Theory, which is rumoured to give exceptional payout results. In short; the Zig-Zag Theory can be learned and applied to bets made on matches, and may indeed give good results. But it is also important to keep in mind that it is a betting strategy that must be thoroughly understood before being attempting.

With that being said, let’s take a closer look at the Zig-Zag Theory, and elaborate on how it can be used.

When can Zig-Zag be Used?

The theory is, in brief, based around sporting playoffs that use the best-of-seven format. Or to be more precise, the 2-2-1-1-1 format. It is for this reason that the strategy is mostly used for NHL and NBA, given that they are the sports that most commonly apply the format.

The term Zig-Zag comes from the core of theory rapidly shifting as the playoff progresses. Which is to say; it is betting strategy that changes between each game. As each match unfolds, and the winner is determined, the next bet in the series also adjusts accordingly. The outcome of each match, therefore, is essential in applying Zig-Zag Theory correctly.

NBA Zig Zag

Understanding how Zig-Zag applies in NBA is a matter of paying special attention to which team is home, and which is away. The idea is that, in the opening game, the away team is far more likely to lose, given the massive home advantage in the NBA.

But if the away team loses in Game 1, it should be kept in mind that by Game 3 that team will have a 1 in 3 chance of bouncing back. Which is to say; an away team tends to only show their true value by the third game in the playoff.

On the other hand, if an away team wins their opening game, which would be considered an upset, this means that the home team is due for a major comeback. It is estimated that a home team that loses its first match has a roughly 75% chance of having a comeback.

NHL

In NHL the Zig-Zag is much less pronounced, and not as easy to predict. The reason is that being a home team in the NHL does not hold nearly as much weight as in the NBA. However, there are still some Zig-Zag observations to be made.

In the NHL, if the home team wins the opening match, the losing away team tends to bounce back slightly more than 1 in 3 times.

If the home team won in Game 1, the general perception is that they are headed for a streak, and many tend to make hasty bets based on this notion. But it turns out that a winning home team only has a 1 in 3 chance of winning their second game.

Fear of Elimination

In both NBA and NHL, there is one fact that tends to be universal; fear of elimination is powerful. In either sport, a team almost being eliminated will normally perform significantly better, making them a great betting option.